How many times have you wished a speaker would finish and sit down? A chairman of the board reporting to constituents, a sales rep trying to interest prospective buyers, or a researcher “informing” the public? Make sure this is never an experience where you are the dreaded speaker. A vibrant, motivating presentation will increase business but requires preparation and practice.
10 Common Mistakes
1. Lack of rapport with the audience- Avoid this by assessing about your audience ahead of time. What is the general age, gender, education level, or job responsibility of your audience? What is their objective as an audience? Are they required to be there? Is this a networking opportunity for them? Do they want to be entertained or informed? What do they have in common? Sometimes you can mingle before your presentation and get to know individuals. Its always easier having friends in the audience.
2. Stiffness in the use of one’s body- Many times I take time out before the program to limber up and get my energy “moving.” I run up and down hallways or do jumping jacks in a bathroom stall letting my arms loosely dangle at my sides. Gestures are important in a presentation- wide sweeping gestures that accentuate what you are speaking about. Be aware of “Velcro arms” that seem attached to the body at the elbow or “egg beater” gestures that stir the air but add nothing.
3. Too intellectual or technical without involving the audience emotionally- Many times a speaker’s profound intellectual thoughts are totally lost . Make a point, then follow up with a story or illustration keep the audience’s interest. Everyone listens to stories.
4. Appearing uncomfortable due to fear of failure- A speaker who opens with an apology or an admission of nervousness may lose his or her audience at that point. An apology sets the speaker up as “sorry” while acknowledged nervousness creates uncomfortable energy for the audience.
5. Poor use of eye contact and facial expressions- I once heard an accountant give a presentation regarding tax laws. He used a power point media presentation and stood next to his computer with his eyes staring above the audience’s heads. Not only did he seem disconnected to his audience, but he had no idea if the audience was interested, confused, or asleep.
6. Lack of humor – Not everyone tells jokes well and speakers must learn the skill or quit trying. Personal anecdotes, funny stories, cartoons, props, and skits with the audience energize a presentation with humor. People love to laugh, nervousness decreases, and the audience is won.
7. Unclear direction and intent- One of the worst experiences for an audience is to realize that the speaker has no organized outline…just pages and pages of notes.
“That reminds me…”and the speaker goes off on a tangent. A good speaker will tell the audience early on what his or her objectives are, then go into 3 main points, sum up the presentation, and stop.
8. Inability to use silence for impact- Professional speakers use a dramatic pause to give impact to their presentations. I heard one speaker’s coach tell her to add “gobs of silence” for emphasis. Amateur speakers should avoid run-on sentences, sentences beginning with “And,” or ending with “OK?”
9. Distracting appearance – Distracting jewelry like dangling earrings, diamond studded watches or belt buckles, and multiple lapel pins a well as busy plaids or prints and flashy finger nails are some of the distractions that take away from a speaker’s message. Speakers wearing half glasses also risk the chance of appearing condescending. And I’ll never forget the financial planner who talked in vain for over an hour while I tried to stifle giggles over 4 places on his face where tiny pieces of toilet paper stuck to his razor nicks.
10. Use of verbal garbage- Speakers who fill the air with “uh,” “and uh,” and “um” are taxing to their audience. My brother once counted 50 “uhs” during a teacher’s lecture. He said that listening to her was punishment. Other speakers habitually use cliches and phrases such as “that sort of thing,” or “you know.”
Prepare your own introduction
The vibrant speaker prepares his or her own introduction in advance, and arrives early to prepare the room where he or she will be speaking. Chairs might be rearranged or a microphone tested. The speaker then grabs the attention of the audience with a dynamite opening and builds rapport with the audience by interjecting humor and making references to specific problems or situations the audience relates to. Above all, a good speaker will have practiced his or her presentation thoroughly.
Practice, then practice again
The skill of making a presentation requires practice. Strong presentations enhance all professions building sales and nurturing a customer base. I highly recommend the Toastmasters Clubs in the Piedmont area. Toastmasters, an educational organization, encourages individuals to practice communication and leadership skills using manuals geared to sales, public relations, and general speaking. The impression a speaker makes, whether excellent, run of the mill, or poor, reflects accordingly on the business represented.
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