Opening Talk:
We spend a significant amount of time planning what projects we are going to make and which products we are going to show at our workshops.  While this is an important part of our workshops, how much effort have you put into planning your opening talk?  First impressions are everything, right?  People will decide within the first few seconds whether they like you, whether they don’t, how much money they are willing to spend that night, whether or not they are going to book a show.

The dialogue in blue is straight from Belinda’s CDs.  She is way more enthusiastic than I am comfortable being, but maybe that is why she is so good at this!  Feel free to modify to however works for you.  Just be aware of the key points she is making and the careful verbiage she is using.

 At your opening, you need to introduce yourself:
Hi!   I’m (your name) and I am honored to be your Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator this evening.
Your audience does not want to know your life story at this point!

You want some information about your audience:
Quick show of hands, how many of you have NEVER been to a Stampin’ Up! workshop before?
This gives you an idea of who is familiar with your product.  You are also planting a seed with your audience.  When it comes time for your audience to consider hosting a show, if they see a bunch of hands raised, they will have seen that people are interested in returning to Stampin’ Up! workshops or if there aren’t any hands raised they will know that they can be one of the first in the group to host.

Next, tell them what to expect:
Great! You are in for a treat this evening.  (Good response no matter how many hands have gone up)  Tonight we are going to …..
This is where your 30 second commercial comes in.  What is it that you do?  Use your 30 second commercial here.  No more than 2 lines about what is going to happen or what you intend to show that evening.

Next you want to create for desire for your product and desire to host a show.
As a matter of fact, you are going to fall in love with so many of our wonderful products your biggest dilemma is going to be which ones to choose.  When you find yourself in that situation the very best way to take care of it is by having your own show and walking away with some of those favorite items absolutely free.  We find that half of the people in our audience end up dating their own show.
Powerful statement - people will question themselves as to which half they want to be in.  Note: you are not asking them to host a show, just planting a seed about why it might be a good idea to host.

So with that, lets take a moment to get acquainted.
Lead the introductions however you want, but keep it moving.

With this opening statement you have let them know how much fun they are going to have, made them aware of what to expect, and planted good reasoning for hosting a show.  Think this through.  Create a dialog you are comfortable with.  Practice it over and over (in a mirror or in front of your family if that helps) until you are comfortable presenting it.