Why is it we can be bored out of our minds while listening to a talk about something we are interested in? The speaker is educated, knowledgeable, and a decent person, yet the presentation are flat and uninspiring. The speaker may want to engage us, inform us and motivate us, yet the very message they are trying to deliver is lost because of sub-standard delivery.
The following “Fatal Five” are blunders speakers make that turn audiences off! We have all witnessed them, but hopefully not all in one talk.
Reading the Slides
- Slides support what you say and should not repeat what is coming out of your mouth. Use as many images as possible to convey your thoughts and use text sparingly.
Too Long – Too Much Information
- The goal is to provoke thinking and spark interest in your listener. Give enough information to explain the main point, but do not go too far with details. If there is something not covered, it will resurface in the question and answer section.
Lack of Interaction
- Think beyond the standard question and answer session to find ways to allow your audience to interact with the speaker and with each other.
Lifeless Presenter
- It is hard to be excited about a topic if the person talking seems half way to the morgue! Fluctuate your voice tone and volume, move your body and show interest in your own topic!
Room and Technical Problems
- Most problems are avoidable and you should have a backup plan. Arrive early to trouble shoot any problems that may come up. Check your equipment, lighting, temperature and the seating.
Through proper design, your audiences will not face any of the fatal five. Your credibility will soar; your work will be understood, and support for your project will increase!
ource: “Why Bad Presentations Happen to Good Causes”, Andy Good and Cause Associates. 2006
iSpeakEASY blog 