When you do that, you come across as a sales person. No one likes to be sold. Imagine, instead, that you stroll calmly up to the podium with your hands in your pockets, turn to the audience with a big smile on your face, and ask everyone how they’re doing? Instead of a “speech”, a memorable presentation comes across more as a conversation.
You may be leading the audience along the path through the dark forest, but the audience needs to feel like you and they are in this journey together. Crack a joke. Tell a personal story about your day. Do something that makes them feel like they really know you. Then, you’re ready to dig into the slides.