Top Ten Pitfalls You Absolutely Have To
Avoid When Making a Presentation
So you’ve been asked to give a presentation. Great. Here’s what you need to avoid in order to make sure it’s not your last:
Assuming
just because you have a lot of knowledge about a topic that automatically
means you are capable of communicating that to others. (Does knowing the
words to a song make you a great singer?)
Thinking
that the more information you give an audience, the more they will retain
Talking in terms of your needs and interests rather than your audiences.
Believing
that ‘stories are for children’ and therefore overlooking one
of the most engaging communication techniques known to man (and women).
Assuming
that people enjoy seeing and reading complex and detailed power point slides.
Failing
to recognise that the way you say something is equally if not more important
as what you say.
Lacking
focus or a clear purpose to your presentation and seeing it more as an opportunity
to tell your audience absolutely everything you know about the subject.
Believing
that speaking ‘off the cuff’ is an adequate substitute for planning
and preparation.
Being so full of your own self importance (or being so unprepared) that
you fail to appreciate the need to stick to time.
Failing
to seek honest feedback from others on how you can improve your presentation
for next time (assuming there is a next time).Presenting is a brilliant opportunity to raise your personal profile and impress a lot of people. How well it goes could have the potential to either launch or sabotage your career. Avoiding the above pitfalls and working on your speaking skills will enable you to enhance your credibility and improve your chances of career success.
For further information on presentation and public speaking coaching please visit www.PaulMcGee.com
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© Paul McGee 2000-2008. All Rights Reserved.