The Biggest Mistakes Speakers Make

Dr. Gary Arnold's Book
How the Top 1% of Speakers and Coaches Do Internet Marketing
Paperback: ISBN:978-1-57867-041-3; eBook: ISBN:978-1-57867-043-7

Have you ever wondered why some speakers just never seem to hit a home run when they give a presentation? Some of the most intelligent people step up to the platform and never get the audience fully engaged and excited about their talk. Here are 5 mistakes that speakers make that make their presentations less than what they would have liked.

1. Failing to Adequately Prepare - Some speakers will have someone prepare a speech for them or take some presentation that has already been given and think that they can just go with the notes to make a good presentation. Even if you prepare your own speech, giving the presentation requires organization and purpose. Do not just write a rambling presentation and expect to deliver it flawlessly. Good presentation skills require preparation of the notes or slides, preparation in the style of delivery that best suits your audience, research into the topic, and consideration of audio/visual aids that may be used to enhance the presentation. Speaking is like any learned skill; it takes time and practice. Also, use relaxation techniques just before taking the stage as all speakers have some anxiety before giving a speech.

2. Starting slow or with a whimper - Most untrained speakers start with "Hi, I'd like to talk about so and so" instead of something that will be an attention grabber such as a startling statistic, an aggressive statement, a news headline, or an interesting quote. Try to grab your audience's attention right away to get them thinking that this is going to be a presentation that I will enjoy listening to. It will prepare the audience to be in a more receptive mood when you make the presentation.

3. Reading a speech word for word - Nothing is more boring than having someone looking down at their speech and reading it word for word. Audiences would rather you hand out your speech than recite it. Instead, use an "outline" or "slides with bullets" that will prompt complete thoughts as you speak. Remember to look down at the outline or over to the slide, then look into the eyes of your audience before you speak. Let the audience feel you are speaking to them personally, not just at them.

4. Speaking without feeling or passion - The best speakers give you the feeling that they care about or are passionate about their presentation topic. If you treat your topic as "ho-hum" then the presentation will come off that way. In preparation for the presentation, find points that stir your interest so you can present with a feeling of excitement. Practice your presentation with an emphasis on creating feeling and passion for the subject. Your presentation will come alive, and your anxieties will fade, when you deliver it with some "heart and soul."

5. End with a bang - Instead of just ending with a question and answer session, have a strong closing statement that will be remembered. After the Q and A, relate a memorable story that will give the audience a feeling of satisfaction. Or close with a projected statistic, aggressive statement, news headline, or other interesting quote that will compliment how you started your presentation.

Remember that public speaking is an acquired skill that takes time and practice. But with practice you can learn to give presentations that are enjoyable both to you and your audience. Common public speaking mistakes are easy to avoid if you know what they are. By avoiding these mistakes, you will find yourself in a position that will be enviable of your peers.