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Top 5 of the most common mistakes made by speakers.
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Do you remember Steve from another presentation* ?
* see: Break the rules of presentations
As part of his job he visits top-seminars all over the world..
..to learn from experts, thought- and industryleaders.
In-depth knowledge is a very valuable asset!
(Remember Allan, Steve’s boss?)
Being part of the audience so often…
Steve gets annoyed by common mistakes many speakers make.
See him asleep?
..and him?
..and her?
How about all these people?
Falling asleep is something Steve can’t afford!
Any idea what we paid for his seat? He’d better stay awake!
So please help Steve* to stay awake…
* ..and everyone else in your audience!
..by avoiding the 5 most common mistakes speakers make.
I like charts. They make things relative and measurable!
Here they are:
Technical malfunctions
It can happen to anyone: bluescreens, bad working projectors, low batteries. Please arrive at least half an hour upfront to check the equipment. And also verify if colors and contrast on the projector match those of your computer screen.
The next mistake is very common amongst high executives and
politicians…
How can there possibly be a similarity between me and a politician?
Irritating non-words
er.. you know?
It’s okay to say “uhm ” now and then, but it’s getting very annoying if you say it every 20 seconds. You should practice in front of your colleagues or your camera, and note any disgressions.
And because many speakers only think about themselves..
I would never be succesful if I’d only thought about myself! But enough about me, what do YOU think of me?
..lots of their speeches lack interaction!
We, your audience, are not there for you, but for your story. We want to learn something and expect you to help us. Please involve us in your presentation: Ask questions, let us calculate in our heads or ask us to imagine. Help us to remember your message!
Some speakers have so much to talk about, that there is ..
When you’ve reached a certain level, everything you do is very important. (and so is everything you say!)
..no room for in-depth, re- vealing and eye-opening content
We expect you to be the expert on the subject. There’s no need to prove it (again). Don’t bore us with lists, facts and statistics. Instead, show us your knowledge on the subject by telling stories and showing best practices. Persuade us that your ideas can be beneficial for us!
Now, guess what the #1annoyance is..
Don’t tell me it’s a sleeping audience!
Reading your powerpoint slides out loud
If you are reading your slides, why would we bother attending a live seminar? We came to hear you speak, not to read your slides. Besides, we read faster than you can speak, so reading your slides looks kind of silly. Don’t use your slides to help you through your presentation, use them to help us through your presentation. Take time to prepare your presentation.We think we are worth it!
So next time, please your audience…
They paid piles of money to attend your presentation!
…by avoiding these 5 mistakes..
Reading your slides out loud
Lacking in-depth, revealing & inspiring content
Having no interaction
Using irritating non-words
Having technical difficulties
..to keep your audience awake.
www.excellentpresenteren.nl
Arthur Sevenstern
5,7,8,9,10 : flickr/UK Space Agency/Seminar audience 2 11: flickr/Jason Puddephat/Aeroplane – Thomas Cook 11: flickr/Evelyn Proimos/Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas 11: flickr/Dave Herholz/Easter dinner on the cruise boat 11: flickr/Flemings Mayfair/Opening night at the Flemings Cocktail Bar, Mayfair 15: vocaro/blue screen 21: flickr/Adam Lang/Panel Discussion 24: ffffound.com/home/disco/found/ 27: flickr/Ikhlasul Amal/Presentation 29: flickr/Images Money/Dollar 31: : flickr/UK Space Agency/Seminar audience Other images are author’s collection or acquired from istockphoto.com
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