Sometimes it is useful to consider what you could possibly do wrong. There are, for example, a number of things you should never do before a presentation. So let’s go through them to ensure you don’t make a mistake. This list was re-published on the presentationmagazine.com website. Maybe you are accustomed to focusing on what you should do; however, it can also help to know what to avoid.
1. Preparing a speech on a topic which is completely irrelevant to the audience. This is a massive error, making it the best way to ruin a presentation which hasn’t even started yet.
2. Showing your audience how clever and competent you are by using jargon in every sentence. Also using boring technical phrases that no one understands instead of normal everyday language.
3. Writing your speech as a firm script. Forgetting about just creating a simple concept with a few main points.
4. Reading word for word what is visually displayed in your presentation. Assuming your audience can’t read or that it will help them to read and listen at the same time. After all, it would be too demanding for you to try to memorise your script, so you can always just read aloud what is on the screen.
5. Staying late at work or going partying the night before your speech.
6. Spending much time rehearsing your speech in the flattest voice you are able to produce. Need inspiration? A railway station announcer might be a good role model.
7. Picturing in vivid detail everything that can go wrong. Producing in your mind clear images of past failures and embarrassments. Imagining everything that is going to ruin your speech. In short, convincing yourself your next presentation is going to be a complete disaster.
Once again – just to make it clear: this is a list of what not to do.
-jk-