This has multiple variations. Presenter opens talk/sentence/paragraph with “I’d like to tell you a story.” Or it might sound like “Did you hear the joke that begins…?” Message to audience? You can snooze all you want, but I’ll be getting to some content soon. Usually it’s just filler while the presenter warms up.It’s far more effective to just tell the story; tell the joke; add the humor; make the connection. Don’t announce that you’re doing it. It’s weak, takes time (more to have to listen to), and can be demeaning to your audience.
Just tell them; don’t tell them you’re going to tell them.
