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Mistake #1: Saying too much and not listening to your audience.

Most times, people who make presentations are so eager to tell their story that the minute they get to the venue or stand before a microphone, they start speaking immediately. This, impatience (for that is what the audience will see it as) should be avoided. Instead, before you even utter a word, you should take a moment. Look at your audience and smile at them. Only after you have got their attention do you begin to even introduce yourself and your topic. You will be able to observe many things about your audience in these few moments.

Mistake #2: Not starting your presentation with a question.

Start with “The topic we are going to discuss today is …” and you’re likely to find that you’ve got some extremely bored people in your audience. Instead, if you start with something like, “Is everyone feeling good today?”  or “How many people want to hear a good story?” without a doubt, you’ll have people that little bit more energised and willing to engage in your presentation.

Mistake #3: Not one bit interested in your audience.

The mistake here is to talk only about your work, yourself and the topic at hand. Not once do you show any curiosity about the people you’re talking to. To avoid making this mistake, show that you are curious about them. Make them excited about themselves first. When you learn who your audience is and what they are interested in you will be able to tailor your story to them and, therefore, keep them interested throughout your talk.

Mistake #4: Being too formal when speaking.

This mistake is, perhaps, one of the hardest to avoid. But, the best way to counter this is to always keep in mind that the people in your audience are human too. They are not menacing and really, they only want to learn from you and your story. Even in a professional presentation, the purpose of the presentation is to show others in your ‘audience’ what it is you can offer them. Speak normally and politely as you would to your friends.

Mistake #5: Not appreciating what they audience is not saying.

Do you just keep talking no matter what? Even though you know that members of your audience are fidgeting and fussing? If you notice this, then perhaps it might be in your best interest to take a moment, and say something like, “You know, if this is not a good time for you, then maybe we could do this another day. I will be telling this again on Wednesday, so you’re welcome to join us then.”

Most of the time, those who are really pressed for time will be so grateful that they will appreciate this concern you show them and return for more.

Mistake #6: Going into a long drawn out explanation about something that has nothing to do with the subject matter of your presentation.

When someone in the audience asks you a question when you are in the middle of your presentation, answer them but limit your answer to no more than 1 minute. If you exceed this, then others in your audience will think that rather than you telling your story, you are more interested in debating the issue with this one person. An easy way to get back to your story is to say, “I will answer all questions at the end of this talk.”

Mistake #7: Not knowing the people in your audience?  

Do you know your audience?

I once listened to a storyteller who so enjoyed the sound of his own voice and debated the issues in Cinderella with himself that it was only about twenty minutes later when he heard a loud snore from the back of the room did he realise that his audience, a group of six to ten year olds, had absolutely no idea what he was saying. He was stuck in his ‘auto-pilot’ mode that he did not realise that his audience would never understand what he was saying. You must know who is in your audience before you even begin to tell your story.

Mistake #8: Being extremely verbose when making your presentation.

Notice how lectures/seminars/storytelling sessions are always no more than one hour sessions. During this one hour session, divide the session into 20 to 40 minutes of presentation and keep the last 20 minutes for interaction with the audience. This is because that is the normal attention span of most people. Now when you have a story that spans over many, many hours, break them up into sections and leave a little for another day.

Mistake #9: Not taking that break

This follows on from the previous mistake. Not taking a break, where appropriate, can lead to some serious problems. When you do take a break, it gives you the chance to know whether your audience understands what you’ve said so far. If they don’t here’s your chance to clear the air. It is also a chance to re-connect with the audience. When to take a break or have a pause? Usually in a one hour speech, it is wise to take a break every 20 minutes or so.

Mistake #10: Not making your presentation memorable in any way.

One of my fondest memories is that of watching a play called ‘Son of Man’, many years ago. It was the story of Jesus Christ and really one that I had seen played out in different ways before. This one stands out in my memory simply because there was, at the end of the whole play, ‘audience participation’. The ‘disciples’ of Christ, began to invite people from the audience onto the stage. I was one of them. I am no actor and said nothing but formed the crowd that was to listen to Christ speak. That was all; but being involved in this story, made it all the more special and that experience was wonderful.

Likewise, when making your presentations, make them engaging. Involve your audience in some physical way and without a doubt, you’d have succeeded in your task.

Good luck in making your presentation.

Copyright © Aneeta Sundararaj