It's that time of the year for presentations! Here are some tips in no particular order of things to avoid while speaking.
1. Sitting down
Sitting down undermines your credibility. Take the presentation seriously and show the audience you are being serious by standing up and moving around just a little bit. It also can make the audience feel like they can't trust you if they can't see you.
2. Mumble
It can be scary to speak in a group of people but the entire process will be even more painful if you audience doesn't hear a single word you said because now you've just wasted your time and theirs. Clear your throat and speak up.
3. Monotone
Nothing puts people more to sleep than a dreary, monotonous voice. Show some enthusiasm when you're speaking especially if you're passionate about your topic!
4. Reading off the slides
Your PowerPoint or Prezi or Keynote or whatever medium you choose to use is not the literary tool; it's a visual there to aid you. Speak to the audience, not the projected screen!
5. Lack of eye contact
You are speaking to real, live human beings who want to be connected with what you're saying (unless this is over webcam but that's another blog post.) Avoid staring at the ground or the screen and try to have eye contact with your audience.
6. Leaning on the wall
By leaning on the wall, you might give off the impression that you aren't interested in your own presentation or idea. How can you convince or inform your audience if you seem laid-back and aloof about the situation? Stand up straight and proud!
7. Chewing gum
This can be a huge distraction for your audience especially if you start smacking it while talking. There's also a possibility it will fall out of your mouth mid-sentence. Do yourself a favor and just spit it out before the presentation.
8. Talking too fast
Woah there, slow down. Take a breather and talk at a slower pace so that your audience can digest the information. How fast and how slow? Well it really depends if you're shooting out statistics or fun facts about history. You'll need to gauge the speed yourself or ask a friend when you practice.
9. Pacing
Please don't walk back and forth especially across the screen. It's a huge distraction.
10. Hands in your pockets
Take them out. Having them in your pockets gives off a 'I don't care' attitude. We also trust people more when we can see their hands!
Were you aware that you do some of these things? Don't know if you do? Give a mock presentation to a friend and ask them to watch for these things! Check in the next few days for some tips for the "do's" of presentations. Also, leave a comment if you have thoughts on other things that speakers should avoid to do!
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