The Budapest Opening: The One Presentation Strategy That Turns Your Crowd into Co-Creators
“Make noise. Do not allow me to present.”
That’s what I told eight audience members right before stepping on stage in Budapest.
I was there to speak about storytelling for thought leaders and had a strong opening prepared. But the day before, I felt the urge to try something new.
If thought leadership is about being different, how could I show that from before even saying a word?
So, I told those eight people to create chaos. Talk loudly. Distract me. Make it impossible for me to start.
They looked confused but agreed. When I walked on stage, they followed through. The rest of the audience had no idea it was staged. They looked annoyed. I acted frustrated. The tension in the room grew.
Then, with one gesture, I stopped them.
Silence.
I said, “No matter how brilliant you are, every single day, you will have to face a monstrous villain — NOISE.”
The audience laughed. Some nodded in recognition. At that moment, they weren’t just listening to me — they were co-creators of the message.
Then, I continued to drive the message home:
“If you want to be a thought leader who can influence people, you must design your voice above the noise.”
I call this type of opening:
The Budapest Opening — an interactive, engaging opening strategy that turns your crowd into co-Creators.
You Have 7 Seconds to Hook Your Audience — But Most Openings Don’t!
If you’ve read any public speaking book or attended my training, you know the golden rule: don’t start by introducing yourself and your topic.
There are countless ways to open a presentation:
- Ask a question.
- Share a bold statement.
- Tell a story.
- Sometimes, even say nothing at all.
These methods work perfectly, but there’s a slight problem: At high-level presentations, audiences come in with expectations.
But what they don’t expect? To become part of the presentation itself.
The Budapest Opening flips the script. Instead of talking at them, you’re creating the experience with them.
When you recruit your audience right from the start, you activate powerful psychological triggers:
- You break the wall between speaker and listener. It’s no longer just about you — it’s about them. By involving your audience, you activate reciprocity. When you give them control, they feel compelled to give something back — like their attention and engagement.
- You create emotional buy-in. People care more about things they’ve helped create. This taps into the Zeigarnik Effect, which states that people remember incomplete tasks more than completed ones. When the audience is involved, they’re invested.
- You leverage social proof. When part of the audience is visibly engaged, others will follow. This creates a ripple effect that raises the energy in the room and makes attention contagious.
Think about it:
How many presentations have you sat through and forgotten the moment they ended? Compare that to a presentation where you helped shape the experience.
You don’t forget that.
But Don’t Make It a Gimmick
‘The Budapest Opening Technique’ is not for show. The disruption or involvement must directly connect to your core message.
In Budapest, I recruited the audience to create “noise” because it represented the distractions we all face every day. The metaphor worked because it tied seamlessly into my message: “If you want to be a thought leader who influences people, you must design your voice above the noise.”
There is no trick here — it’s a way to immerse your audience in the problem you’re solving, making them curious about how you’ll help them overcome it.
From Budapest to Helsinki: Nathalie’s Twist
My friend Nathalie Salas took inspiration from my Budapest Opening Technique and made it her own.
She was giving a talk at the Global Service Design Conference in Helsinki. Instead of the expected opening, she read a passage from Shakespeare.
It was beautiful and poetic but incomprehensible to her audience.
That’s when a few prearranged audience members started booing her: “What does this mean?” “This is boring!”
Nathalie smiled and paused. Then she said, which amount to:
“This is exactly what it feels like when designers use beautiful, complex language with stakeholders. To us, it’s poetry. To them, it’s Shakespeare — impressive but incomprehensible.”
The audience felt the disconnect.
They understood her point on a deeper level because they experienced it firsthand. Within a minute, Nathalie had their full attention — and applause.
And obviously, I felt fulfilled.
Here’s How to Use The Budapest Opening in Your Next Presentation:
1. Pre-Select Audience Members
Choose a few people beforehand to help with your opening. Ask them to create a scenario, respond in a specific way, or perform a role.
Keep it simple — the goal is to create an unexpected moment, not a scripted scene.
2. Create Disruption or Tension
Start your talk with something that disrupts the audience’s expectations — like noise, a challenge, or a provocative question that demands participation. Sometimes, you must break the standard presentation format and shift the audience into active engagement.
3. Tie the Activation to Your Message
The activation or involvement must connect directly to your core message. In Budapest, the noise wasn’t random — it represented distractions. Nathalie’s Shakespeare metaphor is connected to design jargon.
The connection makes the moment memorable.
Take The Budapest Opening and Make it Your Own
People remember experiences that touch them far better than words they hear. Even if you’re an experienced presenter, sometimes you must take risks and explore new ways to influence people.
The next time you prepare for a presentation, don’t just think about what you’ll say — think about how to recruit your audience to help you say it.
It doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional.
By involving your audience from the very start, you’ll capture their attention, keep them engaged, and make your message unforgettable.
Give it a try at your next event, and watch how it transforms the energy in the room — and the way your audience connects with your message.
And when you do, I’d love to hear how it went!
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— Co-Author of “How To Hear YES More Often”: Harness the power of Ethical Persuasion and Influence in Business.
— Certified Public Speaking Coach & Trainer
— Cialdini Certified Ethical Influence Coach & Trainer.
— Thought Leadership Coach & Consultant.
— Founder of Novel Philosophy Academy.
— Founding Member Of Cialdini Institute.
Additional Resources:
- Read “5 Seconds to Standing Ovations”: How Your Opening Lines Can Electrify The Room.
- Read “The Anatomy of Air: 10 Public Speaking Tactics from Vaccaro’s Speech to Michael Jordan.”
- Dive deeper into Decoding Clarity and Give Them A Piece Of You.
- Check out Leopold’s Podcast, Ideas On Trial.
