Media Training - Top Ten Mistakes Speakers Make

Business Presentations and Public Speaking Skills

Top Ten Mistakes Speakers Make
By Diane DiResta

Whenever you're presenting, you're going to make mistakes. Sometimes the mistakes you make on the public speaking platform result from commonly held myths. At other times, mistakes might stem from ignorance or inexperience. Whatever the case, here are some of the most common mistakes speakers make.

Lack of preparation/Focus- If you're unprepared as a speaker, it shows. You must take the time to know your topic and to rehearse your presentation until you're comfortable with it. Practice your speech out loud, time it, and be prepared for questions afterward. To create focus, complete this sentence: At the end of the presentation the audience will__________. Build your points around your outcome.

Speaking too long- Starting and ending your presentation late shows a lack of respect for the audience. People have busy schedules. If your presentation is going to be delayed, make sure it's not because of you. Allow time to get to the presentation early, and know how to cut and summarize the presentation if you sense you're running out of time.

Not knowing the audience- One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a presenter is not meeting the need of your audience. It's a great way to turn an otherwise receptive group into a hostile one. Don't talk over people's heads, but don't be too simplistic either. If you're giving the same speech to different groups, tailor it for each audience.

Projecting the wrong image- This is an instant credibility killer, and it's related to mistake No.3. A flashy outfit will not work if you're speaking to bankers. A slick, "big city" style doesn't do it for farmers in Kansas. Study the audience ahead of time and dress and present appropriately.

Using visual aids ineffectively- If you fumble with visual aids, you'll eventually lose credibility. Visuals should support and enhance the presentation, not take it over. Similarly, equipment that malfunctions can be disastrous to the speech. Check out all of our equipment before you speak, and have a backup plan in case the equipment fails.

Including too much material/Starting with detail- More is better, right? Not really. You can overwhelm the audience with too much data. Don't give them soup to nuts if you don't have enough time. People can't digest information if you give them too much to chew on, so give them the condensed version. If you do, you'll make your points more easily and be more memorable.

Using inappropriate humor- This mistake is also related to mistake No.3. The mores concerning humor have changed. Audiences are politically sensitive. All it takes is one questionable joke or statement to turn people off. Never tell off-color jokes. The best bet is to poke fun at yourself-or avoid jokes altogether.

Speaking in a monotone- Audience members will be bored if you're a monotone speaker. Too many speakers fail to realize the importance the tone of their voice plays in the success of their presentation.

Speaker-centered/No relationship with the audience- To be effective as a speaker, you must connect with your audience. If you're self-absorbed and you simply recite a speech, you'll soon be talking in a vacuum. No one will be listening. Too many presenters start with their agenda and then wonder why they don't get the desired response from the audience. Surprisingly, many salespeople are speaker-centered. They're so interested in pushing their product that they forget about the buyer's needs. Begin your presentation from the listener's point of view and continue to address what's important to them.

Offering weak evidence- Some speakers don't support their ideas with solid data or evidence They expect the audience to take things on faith. If your presentation is sketchy or lacks substance, flesh it out and fill in the details. It's not enough to present your points; you must build a case. How? By including statistics, personal stories, examples, analogies, demonstrations, pictures, testimonials, conceptual models, and historical data. Construct a frame, then build the house.

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For a demo video, audio tape, and/or press kit, please contact:

DiResta Communications, Inc.
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Phone: 212-481-8484 Ext. 312
Web Site: www.diresta.com

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DiResta Communications, Inc. helps organizations and their executives fine tune the art of public speaking, business presentations, media training, and media planning by using our training workshops that consist of team building, business training, managing effective meetings among others. | Copyright © 2006 DiResta Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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