Whether your presenting a powerpoint to 12 people in your office or broadcasting live to 12 million people around the world, there are certain universal mistakes that even the most savvy and experienced communicators sometimes fall prey to. No matter how brilliant your ideas are, these pitfalls can steal your thunder and leave the audience remembering you for the wrong things. Once you break these habits however, you have the audience on your side and you are able to build meaningful relationships and create the impact you desire.
- Going on too long
Winston Churchill once quipped, “It’s quite simple. Say what you have to say and when you come to a sentence with a grammatical ending, sit down.” The average adult attention span is 3 minutes long. While most meetings and presentations are substantially longer than that, keep in mind that it takes a lot of focus for your audience to sit still for any significant amount of time. When people lose focus, they get restless and shut down. It then becomes difficult, if not impossible to get their attention back, leave aside inspire them in any way.
When you hit the sweet spot in duration, not only do audiences appreciate it, but they are more likely to remember your material and remember you in a positive light. After you’ve prepared your talking points, go through each one and ask, “Is this truly necessary to achieve my objective for the presentation”? If it is, keep it. If not, that’s what the delete key is for.
- Not enough preparation
When you are prepared, it shows on multiple levels. Research gives greater depth and meaning to your material. You look more confident and credible. Even with a controversial topic, preparation gives you greater clarity. You know what you want to say and how to best convey that. On the other hand, without the proper preparation you may have great ideas and knowledge, but it will be far more difficult to look clear, trustworthy and self-assured.
This is especially true in front of the media. Mark Bernheimer, media expert and Principal of MediaWorks Resource Group says, “Being an effective communicator requires planning, preparation, and strategy. Never ‘think on your feet’ in front of a reporter. Do all your thinking ahead of time.”
Schedule time to research, write and rehearse. Think of the main points you need to convey, and their sub-points. What details, stories or examples will help you get those across?
- Painting with just 1 color
Picasso would never dream of creating a masterpiece with just one color, and a powerful public speaker would never try to wow an audience using just one approach. People crave variety, it is human nature. Therefore, a presentation that has just 1 rhythm, angle or method of communication is monotonous and boring. The minute you add some variance however, it becomes more engaging.
Every time you introduce a new thought, treat it like a new section of the presentation and change the texture. A general rule of thumb is to find a way to mix it up every 7 – 9 minutes, at the most. You can do this with a new tone of voice, different pacing, visuals, stories, a joke, or pauses in the appropriate places. This allows your audience time to assimilate your information and refresh themselves mentally.
- Weak body language
Your body speaks louder and stronger than your words. No matter how expertly your words are crafted, if you feel nervous, unsure or not fully connected to your audience, your body will give that away. This can take the form of gestures that are too big or meek, improper stance or shallow breathing. This also includes closed-off body language such as crossed arms, slouching, an indirect gaze or repeated fidgeting.
Stand or sit in a comfortable posture that is upright but not tense. Start with your feet hip-width apart and relax your hands, shoulders and neck. Practice this posture when you’re alone, so you get comfortable with it. Keep your energy level up without straining your muscles. Human beings subconsciously respond to body language in a fraction of a second. So when your body is relaxed but energized, it will support your message, increasing its power exponentially.
- Inauthenticity
When a speaker decides he/she needs to put on a performance in order to appear more charming, smart or charismatic, it always backfires. Audiences sense this superfluous effort and interpret it as deception, causing them to lose trust. Even if you truly mean what you say, it most likely will not come across that way.
Oprah Winfrey once said, “I had no idea that being your authentic self could make me as rich as I’ve become. If I had, I’d have done it a lot earlier.” Having presence, charisma and compelling an audience requires being yourself and being comfortable in your own skin when the pressure is on. Audiences do not require perfection, but they demand honesty. Be honest about who you are. Remember you are in the right time and place, and you are there for a reason. What you have to offer is enough.
- Not relating to the audience
This happens when a speaker has too much attention on themselves or their material, and not enough on how it relates to the audience. One of the most important factors in any presentation is the connection to your audience. Without a strong rapport, an audience will either get distracted or your words will lose their power.
With a strong audience connection you have the ability to build relationships, bring a story to life and engage people in your vision. Remember that you are talking to real people who are driven by their own dreams, concerns and pain points. Make it a habit to go through your presentation from your audiences’ point of view. Keep your attention on how you can serve their needs. As a result, they will feel more connection, trust and appreciation. This is key to building relationships that stand the test of time.
- Lack of conviction
Conviction can take the form of lively exuberance or quiet passion. Either way, you need to stand behind your words with certainty and strength. And you’ve got to show that you care. This is the secret key to gravitas and stage or camera presence. When speakers lack conviction however, their body language and vocal delivery suffers, resulting in lackluster, unconvincing delivery. The audience responds to this both consciously and subconsciously, and the effects are brutal.
Remind yourself that your audience’s level of interest is directly proportional to the level of your conviction and enthusiasm. Demonstrate that you mean what you say. Every talk point has a specific purpose, so deliver it accordingly. Even if the topic doesn’t thrill you, find angles and bits of information that you can share with gusto. Do whatever you can to get yourself excited.
