10 BIG PRESENTING MISTAKES TO AVOID or MAYBE 12
We’ve all been to those presentations.
The ones where we stare in horror at the presenter who lacks any presenting skill or worse, the presenter who just doesn’t know how to behave appropriately from the platform, boardroom or training room floor. Yes, that same presenter who has been hired to inspire, educate or influence us.
So here are a few mistakes or ‘don’t dos’ to avoid when you next take the platform so you don’t have to be ‘that presenter’
1. Don’t start boring – your opening should get the attention of the audience and incite curiosity. Be creative and relevant.
2. Don’t ask the audience to do anything before you establish trust – you know the presenters who want us to raise our hands, stand up, sit down, or hug someone before the presentation has even begun.
3. Don’t get off topic – If you are asked to speak on a topic, design and deliver on that. Just because you know lots of other stuff – save it for next time.
4. Don’t steal time – You go over by 10 minutes, you have just stolen 10 minutes from the next presenter and now all the morning tea has gone cold all because you wanted to talk some more.
5. Don’t data dump – Tell stories, interact, share, inspire and give great examples. Too much data hurts our brains and your audience won’t remember it anyway.
6. Don’t present too fast or too slow – Present at a pace that is brain-friendly and enjoyable to watch and listen to.
7. Don’t wander around – There is something quite powerful about stillness. If you do move around make sure you move naturally and with purpose not because you can’t stand still.
8. Don’t sell from the platform – unless you have permission to do so. You don’t need to hard sell to get buy in from an audience who wants more of you.
9. Don’t complain – Never complain about anything from the platform. You’re bigger than that. Not even about the room, the organisers, the catering, the audience, the previous speaker or the Manager who booked you. Yes, presenters do it all the time, unbelievable.
10. Don’t let anyone else have the last word – Remember the primacy and recency effect. Your audience needs to leave with your key message ringing in their ears, not the audience member asking when the toilet break is.
Okay I’m on a roll and can’t stop so if you want 2 more tips stay put. Hmm that’s a bit like stealing time isn’t it. Thank goodness you’re still here and morning tea is late.
11. Don’t talk about yourself too much – talk about your audience and how your key message will benefit them
12. Don’t be a copy of any other presenter – You are a ‘one of a kind’ presenter with a unique message – embrace your message and your authentic presenting style.
There are a few more but that’s a start.
Which ones are you guilty of? Even the professional speakers get it wrong sometimes. So perhaps you just needed reminding.
Now you know what not to do – If you want to know how you can be a speaking superstar book Paula to present an in-house programme for your key people or book into tone of our public master classes
Paula Smith CSP is your expert in Presentation Intelligence (TM) and has been helping leaders and business owners to master their presentations to grow their business and amplify their brands for the past 30 years.
Or talk to me about an in-house solution for your key people.
