6 Presentation Mistakes To Avoid

Presentations can be a minefield. Disengaged audiences, data-heavy slides, and rambling introductions can spell disaster. On the other hand, a powerful presentation is your most valuable business tool. When you create a memorable and actionable presentation, you have the potential to make real change.

The key is translating your research and expertise into a narrative driven message which communicates effectively to inspire change. So often, the power of our presentations is dulled by easily made mistakes. That’s why we’ve identified six of the most common mistakes and provided a simple guide to avoiding them.

Mistake #1: Missing the point

Why are you presenting and why should your audience care? It’s amazing how many people cannot clearly articulate the reason for their presentation. Yet it is a measure of your success. Are you trying to educate your audience, sell them your big idea or communicate your latest results? On average, only 10% of a presentation is remembered. This means most of what you’re saying could be condensed or cut in half. Pick one clear message to structure your presentation around and then repeat that message throughout to make the message stick.

Mistake #2: Writing a report

A report is a standalone document that has lots of information – facts, stats, data, and graphs. This document can be read on its own (like a magazine or brochure). If you present this kind of report on screen, your audience will be confused with the small text and lack of focus. A presentation should always consider story flow and emotion, fully utilising the connection between presenter and audience.

Mistake #3: Overloading with information

What gets left out of your presentation is more important than what goes in. Contrary to belief, sharing all the facts and stats you can is not the best way to be transparent and open. This will have everyone running for the door, and fast. Cut out anything unrelated to your key message.

Mistake #4: Digging up the past

How can you communicate a clear and succinct message if you’re slides have been used time and again for varying, and often differing, reasons? If you want your audience to invest their time in you, then you have to invest the time in pulling together a purposeful presentation.

Mistake #5: Boring and bland

Neuroscience proves people buy and buy-in based on emotion, not logic, so use stories and visuals that help your audience feel something – whether it’s excited, inspired or even angry. Compelling stories and images engage, connect and facilitate action!

Mistake #6: Wasting time

Research suggests the average person spends 14 hours per week creating, delivering and attending presentations – most of which results in very little. For a small team of 15 people that equates to over 10,000 man-hours wasted a year. So don’t waste time – hire a presentation pro to help you.

Have you read?

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