Creative Hook Ideas:

• Have the audience close their eyes and imagine (creative visualization).
• Show a provocative image (be sure to cite source), on document camera, web, or pass-around paper copy.
• Do a quick demonstration: juggle, play a musical instrument, show a yoga posture, balance a chair on a finger, etc.
• Play a quick game with the audience, annouce the winner(s) at the conclusion of your talk.
• Have the audience pair up and do something with a partner related to your talk.
• Sing a song.
• Demonstrate a magic trick.
• Tell a joke.
• Tell a personal story.
• Turn the lights off in the room.
• Pass around a sealed box, have the audience try to guess the contents.
• Show a quick video (15 seconds or less).
• Play a quick audio clip (15 seconds or less).
• Ring a bell or gong.
• Ask for volunteers for a blind taste test.