Introduction
Public speaking is one of the best professional skills you can acquire, but it is also one of the hardest skills to master. Many public speaking experts make public speaking mistakes in presentations which make it difficult for them to share their message effectively. But the great thing about public speaking is that it’s a skill. It is not a gift and therefore anyone can get better at it. However, in order to improve, you need to know the most common mistakes that people make in public speaking.
You didn’t plan the structure of your speech properly
A typical public speaking mistake is that people don’t organize their ideas in their presentation. If you don’t structure your speech you will find that your audience will not be able to understand you. That’s why it is essential to organize your speech into a structure which helps the audience to understand you easily.
The best way to structure your speech is by having three parts: introduction, body and conclusion. The first part should be the introduction in which you present what you are about to talk about. Next is the body which should have two to four key ideas which you are going to discuss. The conclusion should then summarize these points and end your speech.
It is a great idea to help your audience to keep track of the ideas you are presenting and this can be done with the use of signaling words. These are words which can show the progression of the presentation and this includes the use of phrases such as first, next, in addition, finally and so on.
Your slides are too loaded with information
A common public speaking mistake is that people present information which is so complex that the audience cannot comprehend it easily and also use slides which have too much information on them. This makes it difficult for the audience to pay attention to the presentation because their attention is shifted towards reading what’s on the slides instead of listening to what you are presenting.
The best way to avoid public speaking mistakes of this kind is by making sure you keep your slides free from unnecessary information. This doesn’t mean that you won’t use any information. But it is important for you to ensure that the slides are only used to present key ideas in order to support your speech. Make sure to include charts, figures and images as they will be useful for you to present the key ideas in your presentation. The key here is that the information you have on your slides should not be the information that you are going to speak. Rather the information you include should only be the information which will help you present your speech well.
Reading from slides or your prepared script
Many presenters read their slides or script word for word. This makes it look like they are not very good at their public speaking as they do not even have a clear view of what they are talking about. It can also distract them and make their presentation boring as the presentation is then more likely to become very mechanical. It also makes it more difficult for the speaker to be in touch with the audience since they are looking downwards most of the time.
One of the best ways to make your presentation interesting is by keeping your eyes on the audience and this means using the slides or the prepared script only to help you present your presentation in a well-organized manner. However, you should have a thorough understanding of the slides or the prepared script so that you can present it without being distracted by them.
You speak too fast or too slowly
Many speakers find it difficult to maintain the speed of their speech at the correct level. One of the most common mistakes public speaking beginners make is when they speak at such a rate that they can’t be comprehended by the audience. The audience may end up confused if you speak too fast because they may not have sufficient time to understand you. It is important for the speaker to ensure that he/she takes time when speaking and pauses whenever necessary.
On the other hand, another common mistake made by public speakers is when they speak slowly which means that they are taking too much time. This can be tiring to the audience which makes it more likely for them to lose their attention and stop listening to the presentation. If you can’t maintain this speed yourself it’s important that you ask someone to give you feedback on it. This can help you see where your mistakes are so that you can work on improving them.
The best way to improve your public speaking skills of speed is by practicing with the intention of speaking at a speed which is right for your presentation. When practicing try to take time in each sentence and pause when you want to emphasize something. Another thing you can do to improve your presentation is to practice recording yourself and playing them back so that you can analyze what mistakes you are making and how to correct them. This way you will have an idea of how the speed should be during your presentations.
Not using good eye contact with the audience
Most beginners make a common public speaking mistake that they tend not to make eye contact with their audience during presentations. When you do not maintain contact with your audience it makes it seem like you are not connecting with them and therefore less likely to listen to you.
If you want to maintain your audience’s attention it is necessary for you to be comfortable in the presence of your audience. One of the best ways to be comfortable in the presence of your audience is through the maintenance of the eye contact. When you are comfortable with your audience it can make them feel that they can trust you which makes them more likely to listen to you attentively. Lacking eye contact makes it more difficult to establish rapport and hold the attention of listeners.
Remedy by looking in different parts of the audience as you speak. You do not need to look at people for any duration of time; a quick look is enough to create that contact. Doing it over time makes it more natural.
Voice projection that is too soft or unclear can be the downfall of your presentation. Regardless of the quality of the information you have, if your audience cannot hear or understand you effectively, they will not be able to appreciate what you are trying to say. If your voice lacks energy and variety, then the presentation will also be less interesting.
To improve voice projection, work on speaking clearly and with a consistent volume. Work on your pronunciation and make sure the words you use are clear and audible. Vary the tone of your voice so you can convey certain things and keep your audience engaged. You can also work on your breathing which can improve your voice projection and make you feel more confident in front of an audience.
Body language plays as important a role in a presentation as the content. If your body language is stiff or you constantly make nervous hand gestures, you are likely to distract your audience from your presentation or appear insecure. Body language that is appropriate and natural will show that you are comfortable and confident.
To remedy your body language, practice presenting with your hands by your sides or with an open gesture, not folded on your chest. Be comfortable and natural, and do not overuse any kind of gesture as it may be distracting. Body awareness will help you improve your presentation and come across as more confident.
It is common for people to say um, uh, and you know, but too much can sound unprofessional. Using such a filler word once in a while is perfectly fine, but too much can reduce your credibility.
You can avoid filler words by slowing down your presentation, pausing if you need to, and allowing yourself the space to think and organize your thoughts. You can practice presenting multiple times to get more comfortable.
There are some speakers who focus more on content delivery and do not give the audience the opportunity to engage with it. This can result in an audience who does not engage actively or attentively with the material.
To engage the audience, include them by asking questions, using analogies that are relatable to the experience of your audience, and by sharing stories or experiences as examples for certain points. Vary your tone and voice to make your delivery more interesting.
If you have to present for a specific amount of time, you need to stick to it. It can be frustrating for your audience to wait longer than you have been given, or it can make your presentation feel rushed if you run out of time.
To work on this, set a time limit on your presentations so you can pace them out properly. Work on organizing your ideas with time in mind, so the ones you deem most important can be the ones you cover. You should consider your time limits as a way of showing respect for your audience, and sticking to it can help make you seem more professional.
If you are unprepared, you may feel nervous about making a mistake and forgetting the main points of your presentation.
The best way to deal with this is to prepare for the presentation. It is helpful to practice it, maybe multiple times in similar settings to what you would do the presentation itself. The more you know your material and are able to rehearse it ahead of time, the better prepared you will be and the more confident you will be in your presentation.