Here, David Letterman style, are what I consider to be the Top 10 most common mistakes presenters make when organizing and preparing their content:
10) Not setting the stage.
An introduction should be more than just "Hello. Today we'll be discussing _____." If you just jump into the content without setting up the presentation, it can get you off to a jumpy, disjointed start. An introduction should give the audience a sense of who you are, what you're there to do, and what's in it for them to listen.
9) Using ineffective notes.
It's almost always wise to have some notes handy to make sure you don't forget anything important, but if your notes are hard to follow or are distracting for the audience, they defeat the purpose. Trying to read from a crowded page of word-for-word narrative is a killer because you look down and have trouble looking up for fear that you'll never find your place again. Disorganized papers or cards can be cumbersome and messy. Keep clear, concise, key-word-or-key-phrase-only notes handy to simply jog your memory, not serve as an unnecessary crutch.
8) Using jargon or acronyms that leave the audience bewildered.
When a listener hears a word or phrase he/she is not familiar with it causes what I call a "cerebral derailment". The listener's mind is chugging along happily with you until he/she hears an unfamiliar term and suddenly the mind jumps the tracks to wonder, "What does that mean?" Always define acronyms (even if you're sure they know what the letters stand for) and, when in doubt, define any terms that could possibly be unfamiliar.
7) Planning backwards.
Many people begin to prepare a presentation by thinking, "What do I have that's cool?" (meaning visual aids, support points, stories, examples, etc.) Then they ask themselves, "How can I work it in?" This is backwards. Decide on what you want to accomplish and then ask "What do I have in the way of support that would help me meet that objective?" If you plan backwards you may very well end up with a bunch of interesting information that is of no value to the listeners.
6) Not knowing your objective and/or not sharing it.
In addition to being clear on the point you want to make, you should also be clear on the objective you wish to achieve. Do you want the audience to make a decision? Show them the options and ask for a decision. If you need their cooperation, make sure you explain why you need them and how they can help you. If your goal is to familiarize them with a topic, make that clear so you don't get bogged down in excess detail. Both you and your audience should be clear on what you're there to accomplish.
5) Not providing "signposts".
Imagine that you can get a new set of information two ways: 1) you can read it in a report or 2) you can listen to it in a presentation. What advantages do you have when you're reading that you don't have when you're listening?
None of these options are available to your listeners. To the audience, your ideas are just sounds in the ether, so to make up for the lack of these advantages, you need to provide signposts to let us know where you are. Visual aids can help, but remember to include phrases like "Now, let's move on to point #2", "That's all for the background, now let's move on to the current status," or "Let me just wrap up." These little phrases take very little time but do wonders for helping your audience stay with you.
4) Having complex, hard-to-read visual aids.
Your visual aids should be just that--aids. They should HELP you get your message across. Complicated, crowded, hard-to-read visual aids compete with you for your audience's attention. Keep them simple enough that listeners have a reason to stick around and listen to YOU.
3) Not having an obvious, logical structure.
Meandering from point to point can be very frustrating to a listener. Have your information laid out in a logical structure and share that structure with the listeners up front so they know where you're headed.
2) Not making the POINT clear up front.
There's nothing more frustrating to a listener than to sit there thinking, "OK, so what's your point?!" Remember, you know your material cold. The listeners don't. Sometimes you have to smack them between the eyes with the point, as in, "If you only remember one thing from my presentation, I want it to be __________________." Don't wait until the end to present your point with a dramatic flourish. Make your point right up front and spend the rest of the time supporting that point.
And the #1 content management mistake. . .
1) Including too much information.
It's tempting to want to cram all the information possible into the heads of your listeners, but ironically, it's possible that the more information you include, the less they learn. Think of a rainstorm. When rain is pouring down, much of it runs off before it can soak into the soil. The water is wasted because there was simply too much of it to take in. Whereas, a slow, steady rain has a chance to soak in thoroughly. It's far better to include half as much information and have them retain most of it, than to squeeze in every imaginable tidbit and have 90% of the information wind up as runoff.
All of these problems are common. Luckily, with awareness and a few simple adjustments, they are easily overcome.
About The Author
Melissa Lewis turns traditional thinking about public speaking upside down to give people more comfort, confidence, and charisma in front of groups. She is a former actress, a certified facilitator of SPEAKING CIRCLES, president-elect of the National Speakers Association Kansas City Chapter, and author of the soon-to-be-released book, Upside Down Speaking. For more information call (913) 341-1241 or visit www.upsidedownspeaking.com, melissa@upsidedownspeaking.com
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
1. Play "find the meeting" by changing the location and... Read More
Flash chart, flash map, flash graph may be mistaken for... Read More
If the mere thought of standing up in front of... Read More
Once upon a time there was a businessperson who had... Read More
"There can be no knowledge without emotion. We may be... Read More
The CEO of a worldwide business asked me to help... Read More
Regardless, if your goal is to make a sale or... Read More
Tomorrow's the day and you're dreading it. You're scheduled to... Read More
Once upon a time????."Yeah right, don't tell us a story,... Read More
Do you ever get frustrated with your marketing? Are you... Read More
How?Try a blueprint like this: people act on their own... Read More
LESSON PLAN DEVELOPMENT: Lesson plans, believe it or not, are... Read More
If you deliver electronic presentations using PowerPoint or other programs,... Read More
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE FACILITATOR: As chairperson, focus on the... Read More
How do you come across in your emails?As I receive... Read More
"I'm not an expert on this topic, but . .... Read More
Super Preparation ?Keys to Getting a Great Start to Every... Read More
Preperation is vital when conducting a successful videoconference session. Thus... Read More
If you're ready to kick your career or business up... Read More
I had been working on a logo idea for several... Read More
Regardless of the nature of our job or social standing,... Read More
Yes, there are ancient PowerPoint secrets...secrets your grandmother knows and... Read More
For communication to take place, a message must be transmitted... Read More
Presenters often tell me that they fear losing their train... Read More
8 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills 1. Join Toastmasters.... Read More
The most important tip...EVER!Make sure that you always think of... Read More
Last week my husband and I attended an awesome 4... Read More
First and foremost, you must deal effectively with your own... Read More
Imagine you are the most amazing figure skater who ever... Read More
Communication is vital for survival in an age of information... Read More
Kvetching is the Yiddish word for complaining, hand to the... Read More
MANAGING MEETINGS--BEING PREPARED MAKES A DIFFERENCE: You can schedule all... Read More
Why is throwing a seminar good for business?If you want... Read More
"I'm not an expert on this topic, but . .... Read More
Many experienced trainers feel that there is something lacking in... Read More
Although there are any number of different networking groups and... Read More
Converting PowerPoint to Flash would be absolutely a good choice... Read More
If the mere thought of standing up in front of... Read More
Have you ever had to give a speech?Do you remember... Read More
Did the "Painless" part of the title get your attention?Speaking... Read More
I am of the belief that the majority of people... Read More
A major cause of trainers being unreceptive to their audience... Read More
There are many definitions for presentations. When you present there... Read More
In March 2002, the comic strip Beetle Bailey contained a... Read More
"I have a love/hate relationship with PowerPoint. In the right... Read More
There is an old saying: "The first thing to do... Read More
Regardless of what response technique may be convenient in a... Read More
People take it for granted that leaders have achieved some... Read More
I just got back from my whirlwind speaking engagements and... Read More
Some speakers say, "I could never use humor in my... Read More
Believe it or not, preparation is a better determinant of... Read More
Exhibiting in a trade show can involve a major investment... Read More
Many of us use PowerPoint to convey a message to... Read More
Does the thought of speaking in front of others send... Read More
Never rehearse at the last minute. This creates undue tension... Read More
"The human brain starts working the moment you are born... Read More
A top complaint from audience members is that many presenters... Read More
How many people will need to see the screen? A... Read More
"There can be no knowledge without emotion. We may be... Read More
1. Play "find the meeting" by changing the location and... Read More
Communication is vital for survival in an age of information... Read More
The communication process can be much more difficult than a... Read More
People love stories. We love to hear about other people,... Read More
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE FACILITATOR: As chairperson, focus on the... Read More
Do you ever get frustrated with your marketing? Are you... Read More
MAKING INFORMATIVE LESSON PLANS: --The performance objectives should answer this... Read More
Presentation |