It takes a lot of space to list all the things one should do to put out a good presentation. but here’s a quicker way to improve: just don’t do these 6 things
Start your Presentation with a Joke
Unless you’re an accomplished and experienced speaker, starting a presentation with a joke, particularly when you have a reasonably educated and professional audience, is asking for trouble. You may be able to pull it off if the joke’s really good and you can narrate it with style but more likely it may go flat and ruin the rest of your presentation.
Fumble, Look Humble and Apologize
Most people think they can soften up an audience by apologizing or looking humble and modest. Statements like “Man I really screwed up my slides” or “I’m sorry I am not a good presenter” are really a defence mechanism so that the audience spares us. We apologize because we’re feeling insecure and somewhat apprehensive. Resist the temptation to apologize – you need to be seen as confident not tentative – and move on!
Provide an Answer when you Don’t Know
There is nothing that switches off an audience more than someone who pretends to know the answer when its obvious to most that that this is not the case. Just be truthful, tell them that you do not have the answer and promise to revert when you have it (it is assumed however that if you are asked why the audience should buy from you, you have at least researched this one well enough to answer).
Miss out on the Purpose
You must always state the Purpose – what you want to accomplish – upfront, not at the end. Presentations are not like whodunit movies where you leave the audience in suspense until the end. If you can’t define the purpose of your presentation, your audience won’t be able to decipher it either. Another thing, remember to tell the audience what you expect from them, the call to action.
Communicate More Information than Necessary
Fact: most people present using far too much information. Your audience won’t absorb more than a few key ideas. Make sure your presentation focuses on a few key messages and avoid the temptation to put in lot’s of juicy content. It’s harder to see the key points when these are buried in a mountain of information.
Try to be someone Else
Don’t worry about putting on a special accent, or looking super cool or copying someone else. Just be yourself, be confident, and forthright (but remember no apologies).
May the force be with you!