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Meetings are where decisions are made, ideas are shaped, and collaboration happens. But how you start a meeting sets the tone for everything that follows. Knowing how to open a meeting can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best ways to start a meeting. Plus, you'll find real-world examples and interactive scenarios to make sure you don’t just read this article, but experience it.
Want to learn how to start a business meeting like a pro? Let's begin!
1. The Golden Rule: Know Your Purpose
Before we even get into what to say, ask yourself:
What is the goal of this meeting?
Who needs to be involved?
What outcome do I want by the end?
Having a clear purpose isn’t just a best practice—it prevents meetings from becoming time-wasters.
Pro Tip: If the meeting has no clear goal, it probably doesn’t need to happen.
2. Start with Energy, Not Formality
Many non-native speakers worry about being “too informal” in meetings. But in most professional settings, starting with friendly confidence is more important than rigid formality.
Try these opening lines:
Alright, everyone, let’s get started!
Thanks for joining. Let’s jump right into today’s agenda.
Let's dive in.
Before we begin, does anyone have any quick updates to share?
Let’s kick things off with a quick round of introductions.
Which of these opening lines feels most natural to you? (Try saying them out loud!)
Practice *1
Listen to the Dialogue between Erica, Chris, and Emma and answer the question:
What is the manager planning to ask Peter to do regarding the supplier?
3. Checking Attendance & Readiness
In virtual meetings, this step is even more important. You don’t want to start only to realize half the team is on mute or struggling with a bad connection.
Use these quick check-in phrases:
It looks like we’re still waiting for a few people—shall we give it a minute?
Before we move forward, does everyone have access to the document?
Just a quick check—can everyone hear me okay?
Can you hear me all right?
Pro Tip: If you’re hosting a virtual meeting, call out one person by name (nicely!) to get things moving:
David, I see you just joined—glad to have you! Ready to start?
4. Set the Agenda (Without Sounding Boring)
You need to let participants know what to expect—but how you say it matters. Instead of reading the agenda word-for-word, make it sound engaging:
Instead of this: "Today, we will discuss three topics: project updates, marketing strategy, and budgeting."
Try this: "We’ve got three key things to address today: a quick update on where we stand, some fresh ideas for our marketing strategy, and a final check on the budget. Sound good?"
Why it works:
It sounds natural and conversational.
It keeps people interested.
It sets expectations without feeling robotic.
Practice *2
Listen to the Dialogue between Erica, Chris, Emma, and Lisa and answer the question:
What marketing update does Chris share in the meeting?
5. Get People Talking Early
A good meeting isn’t a one-way speech—it’s a conversation. The earlier you get others to speak, the more engaged they’ll be.
Ask an open-ended question:
Before we jump in, does anyone have anything urgent to add to the agenda?
Encourage participation:
Let’s start with a quick win—does anyone have good news to share?
Use humor (when appropriate):
Let’s keep this short and sweet so we can all get to lunch on time!
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How to Start a Business Meeting Like a Pro:
Want to Practice?
Try recording yourself saying 2-3 opening lines from this article.
Next time you lead a meeting, use one of these techniques and see how people respond.
Great meetings make people feel heard and valued. If you can start your meetings with confidence, clarity, and a touch of warmth, you’ll be able to create a space where real collaboration happens.
Ready to test your skills? Click the image to take a quick quiz and improve your business English!
