Hook ‘em, Danno: 7 Ways to Grab Attention and Keep It When You Speak

Whether you are speaking to a room full of strangers or holding the mic at your best friend’s wedding, the goal is the same: keep them with you. And not just physically. You want heads nodding, eyes locked in, energy exchanged. You want people to feel something, remember something. You want your message to stick.

That takes more than just a strong opening line or a witty joke. It takes strategy. It takes storytelling. It takes a little something unexpected.

I have been binge watching Hawai’i 5-0 on Paramount+ for the last two weeks, so in this article, we are channeling some of that energy and diving into how to hook your audience—and hold them—like a pro. The title says it all: Hook ‘em, Danno.

We are also bringing in a little communication theory this week and discussing Expectancy Violation Theory—because breaking the “rules” can be one of your best tools.

What Is Expectancy Violation Theory?

Expectancy Violation Theory (EVT) suggests that people have expectations in communication—about how conversations will flow, what a someone will say, how they will act – it’s that subconscious and unwritten idea that people or audiences have about a given event or situation. 

But when those expectations are violated, it creates a moment of heightened awareness. The audience perks up. Their attention spikes. Their brain says, Wait, what just happened?

It is important to note that this violation can be positive or negative. Your job, as a storyteller, is to use positive expectancy violations to create surprise, connection, and clarity.

That might look like:

• Telling a personal story when the audience expected statistics
• Pausing for effect when they expected you to rush
• Opening with a bold question instead of a formal greeting

(But don’t be like Bill Gates and release a jar full of mosquitos at a TED Talk…that might be a little too surprising!)

Let’s walk through some practical ways to hook ‘em and keep ‘em.

1. Start Where They Least Expect

Most audiences expect the same tired openings: “Good morning, thank you for having me…” 

Instead, try something fresh:

• A powerful story
• A provocative statement or question (my personal favorite!)
• A striking statistic
• A moment of silence

When you lead with something unexpected, you immediately signal, This is not the same old speech.

2. Tell a Good Story

Human brains are wired for story. A well-told story will do more to engage your audience than any slide deck ever could. Choose stories that are emotionally honest, vivid, and relevant to your message.

And do not be afraid to show vulnerability. When you speak from lived experience, your audience leans in. That authenticity is magnetic.

3. Use Visual Language That Hits

Ditch the jargon. Paint pictures with your words. Make your language feel like something they can taste, touch, or carry home in their pocket.

Instead of saying, “I had a difficult childhood,” say, “I grew up learning to read between slammed doors and sharp silences.”

Concrete, sensory language keeps people grounded in your words.

4. Break the Pattern

This is Expectancy Violation Theory in action again. If you feel energy slipping in the room, switch it up:

• Move to a new part of the stage
• Ask a question and wait for real answers
• Show a photo or play a short clip
• Pause, breathe, and reset the pace

Interrupting the rhythm—on purpose—creates an energy shift that draws people back in.

5. Use Your Voice Like an Instrument

Volume. Pace. Pitch. Silence. Rhythm. Cadence. Contrast. 

These are tools that can truly help you draw in and keep your audience engaged. A monotone voice, even with the best message in the world, will lose people. But when you modulate your voice, use dramatic pauses, or whisper a powerful line, your audience cannot help but tune back in.

6. Speak to Their Struggles

If your audience does not feel seen, they will not stay with you. Speak to what they care about. Reference their fears, their hopes, their lived realities. Remember to speak from an audience-centered perspective. Yes, you are sharing your story and your message, but you’re doing it in a way that speaks to and for them.

7. Close the Loop

People love resolution. If you opened with a story or question, make sure you circle back to it at the end. This gives your talk a sense of cohesion and completion, which is deeply satisfying to listeners.

It also leaves them with a sense of closure—and clarity about your message.

At the end of the day, the strongest hook is not some gimmick or funny story. It is you. Your presence. Your passion. Your purpose.

If you believe in what you are saying, if you show up with clarity and conviction—your audience will feel it. And they will go on the journey with you.

To learn how you can be or become the powerful speaker you want to be, click HERE to book a free consultation and see if working with Stage Savvy Speakers is right for you!