Get Them at “Hello”

Engage Immediately with a Metaphor
“A question for this moment.  If the Earth’s lungs were on fire and the doctor refused to treat it, would there be cause for a third party intervention?” What do you think? Got your attention?
That was the opening line of an article by columnist Kathleen Parker on the Amazon rain forest fires and what should/could the world do about those fires.  I share her opening as an example of a really powerful way to use a combination metaphor and question to capture the attention of  listeners.
An opening question metaphor piques a listener’s curiosity and makes us want to hear more. Here
Lure Them In words on a red magnet to illustrate attracting customers or audience through tempting offer
are two more examples for business.
To Reshape Commodity Thinking
For example, suppose you sell a premium priced product or service to buyers who see no real difference between your offer and similar