18 presentation mistakes you probably make (and how to avoid them)
July 11, 2017
/
4 min read
Almost exactly one year ago I was in Paris with a colleague and his team of presentation coaches. We were gonna hold a presentation workshop for an international company and their senior managers. What unfolded in that workshop was eye-opening. We asked the attendees to reflect on what makes a presentation great versus awful, and the consensus was clear - bad slides can ruin even the most brilliant presenter's performance.
As we delved into the workshop, it became evident that the common pitfalls were "bad slides," "too much text on slides," and "ugly PowerPoint slides." Aha! The attendees understood the significance of clean design in business presentations. This was great news for me who was growing my presentation design agency.
Bad slides can make the greatest presenter fail
One might argue that as long as you're a captivating speaker, the slides are secondary. However, reality struck us during a 5-minute presentation exercise. One of the senior managers, let’s call him John, had great stage presence and his outgoing and fun personality caught my attention straight away. John was not talking about a super exciting topic, but his impressive way of presenting it made me actually want to listen and see if I could learn anything.
The issue was that John's slides kept pulling my attention away from him and what he was saying, and my focus was instead on reading his bullet points. And it didn't take long before I had lost him and what he was talking about. This happened over and over again with several of the other managers. It became clear that the details crammed into his slides were working against him, not for him.
Most of the senior managers were good at communicating their ideas but they didn't need all the content that they had stuffed in their slides. The details in their presentation slides worked against the speaker rather than supporting them. And this is a fact that most speakers neglect: do my slides enhance or detract from my message?
When you are preparing a presentation, try asking yourself these three questions:
Do I really need all these points on my slide? Embrace simplicity and let your speech fill in the gaps.
What can I delete from my slides and convey through my words? Less is often more when it comes to impactful presentations.
Do my slides support me, or are they stealing the spotlight? Ensure your slides complement your narrative, not compete with it.
The 18 most common presentation mistakes people do, and how to avoid them
On the second day of the workshop we worked together with the participants, did some role plays, critiqued their slides and how they gave their presentations. From these exercises we developed a big list of the most common mistakes people make when giving presentations. We also gave suggestions on how to stop making those mistakes. Here are the top 18 from that list.
1. Ignoring the Power of Design
Mistake: Underestimating the impact of presentation design.
Solution: Embrace clean, visually appealing slides that complement your message. Consider color psychology, visual hierarchy, and maintain consistency throughout. It's hard to tell stories with bullet points.
2. Overlooking the Psychology of Colors
Mistake: Neglecting the influence of colors on audience perception.
Solution: Choose colors wisely to evoke the right emotions. Warm tones for passion, cool tones for trust. Align your color palette with the mood and message of your presentation.
3. Neglecting Visual Hierarchy
Mistake: Failing to guide the audience's attention through visual hierarchy.
Solution: Use larger fonts, bold colors, and strategic layouts to highlight key points. Guide your audiences' attention with visual hierarchy.
4. Inconsistency in Design
Mistake: Not maintaining a consistent design throughout the presentation.
Solution: From fonts to color schemes, consistency breeds professionalism. Create a cohesive narrative by ensuring all design elements align with your brand.
5. Underestimating the Power of Storytelling
Mistake: Overlooking the impact of a compelling narrative.
Solution: Tailor your story to resonate with your audience. Craft a narrative arc with a captivating introduction, core content, and a memorable takeaway. Humanize your presentation with real-life anecdotes.
6. Not Knowing Your Audience
Mistake: Failing to tailor your presentation to your audience.
Solution: Understand their needs, challenges, and aspirations. Make your message more relatable by addressing their specific interests.
7. Neglecting Virtual Presentation Skills
Mistake: Ignoring the nuances of virtual presentations.
Solution: Master the art of virtual communication. Leverage tools, optimize visuals for screens, and maintain an engaging tone to keep your audience actively participating.
8. Avoiding Interaction in Presentations
Mistake: Sticking to a one-way communication approach.
Solution: Break away from monotone presentations with interactive elements. Incorporate polls, Q&A sessions, and multimedia to keep your audience engaged and participating actively.
9. Underestimating the Impact of Presentation Design Agencies
Mistake: Overlooking the expertise of presentation design agencies.
Solution: Collaborate with specialized presentation and/or PowerPoint agencies for visually stunning presentations. They understand the nuances of effective design and can transform your ideas into captivating visuals.
10. DIY Design Mistakes
Mistake: Thinking effective design requires a hefty budget.
Solution: Explore user-friendly design tools like Canva. Invest in online courses to enhance your skills and gather feedback from peers to uncover areas for improvement.
11. Ignoring Rehearsals
Mistake: Neglecting the importance of rehearsing your presentation.
Solution: Practice your delivery to enhance confidence and identify areas for improvement. Record yourself and watch it back. Seek feedback from a colleague.
12. Overloading Slides with Information
Mistake: Cramming too much information onto slides.
Solution: Embrace simplicity. Focus on key points and let your speech fill in the details. A clutter-free slide enhances audience understanding.
13. Disregarding Body Language
Mistake: Ignoring the impact of body language during presentations.
Solution: Be mindful of your gestures, posture, and facial expressions. Positive body language enhances your credibility and engages the audience.
14. Neglecting the Opening Hook
Mistake: Starting your presentation with a weak or generic opening.
Solution: Capture your audience's attention from the start. Begin with a compelling question, quote, or anecdote to hook your audience and set the tone.
15. Poor Time Management
Mistake: Overrunning or rushing through your presentation.
Solution: Practice pacing to ensure your presentation fits the allotted time. Be mindful of your audience's attention span and adjust your content accordingly.
16. Ignoring Feedback Loops
Mistake: Disregarding the importance of feedback.
Solution: Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or the audience. Constructive criticism helps refine your presentation skills and address blind spots.
17. Using Overly Complex Jargon
Mistake: Assuming your audience understands complex industry jargon.
Solution: Simplify your language to ensure universal understanding. Clear communication enhances engagement and relatability.
18. Lack of Adaptability
Mistake: Failing to adapt your presentation style to different audiences or settings.
Solution: Understand the context and preferences of your audience. Tailor your delivery to resonate with diverse groups, whether in a boardroom or a virtual setting.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of presentation goes beyond being a captivating speaker. It involves understanding the marriage of design and storytelling, navigating the technological landscape, and adapting to evolving presentation styles. Whether you collaborate with a presentation design agency or take the DIY route, the goal remains the same - to captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression. Embrace the power of design, craft compelling narratives, and watch as your presentations become not just informative sessions but memorable experiences.
Almost exactly one year ago I was in Paris with a colleague and his team of presentation coaches. We were gonna hold a presentation workshop for an international company and their senior managers. What unfolded in that workshop was eye-opening. We asked the attendees to reflect on what makes a presentation great versus awful, and the consensus was clear - bad slides can ruin even the most brilliant presenter's performance.
As we delved into the workshop, it became evident that the common pitfalls were "bad slides," "too much text on slides," and "ugly PowerPoint slides." Aha! The attendees understood the significance of clean design in business presentations. This was great news for me who was growing my presentation design agency.
Bad slides can make the greatest presenter fail
One might argue that as long as you're a captivating speaker, the slides are secondary. However, reality struck us during a 5-minute presentation exercise. One of the senior managers, let’s call him John, had great stage presence and his outgoing and fun personality caught my attention straight away. John was not talking about a super exciting topic, but his impressive way of presenting it made me actually want to listen and see if I could learn anything.
The issue was that John's slides kept pulling my attention away from him and what he was saying, and my focus was instead on reading his bullet points. And it didn't take long before I had lost him and what he was talking about. This happened over and over again with several of the other managers. It became clear that the details crammed into his slides were working against him, not for him.
Most of the senior managers were good at communicating their ideas but they didn't need all the content that they had stuffed in their slides. The details in their presentation slides worked against the speaker rather than supporting them. And this is a fact that most speakers neglect: do my slides enhance or detract from my message?
When you are preparing a presentation, try asking yourself these three questions:
Do I really need all these points on my slide? Embrace simplicity and let your speech fill in the gaps.
What can I delete from my slides and convey through my words? Less is often more when it comes to impactful presentations.
Do my slides support me, or are they stealing the spotlight? Ensure your slides complement your narrative, not compete with it.
The 18 most common presentation mistakes people do, and how to avoid them
On the second day of the workshop we worked together with the participants, did some role plays, critiqued their slides and how they gave their presentations. From these exercises we developed a big list of the most common mistakes people make when giving presentations. We also gave suggestions on how to stop making those mistakes. Here are the top 18 from that list.
1. Ignoring the Power of Design
Mistake: Underestimating the impact of presentation design.
Solution: Embrace clean, visually appealing slides that complement your message. Consider color psychology, visual hierarchy, and maintain consistency throughout. It's hard to tell stories with bullet points.
2. Overlooking the Psychology of Colors
Mistake: Neglecting the influence of colors on audience perception.
Solution: Choose colors wisely to evoke the right emotions. Warm tones for passion, cool tones for trust. Align your color palette with the mood and message of your presentation.
3. Neglecting Visual Hierarchy
Mistake: Failing to guide the audience's attention through visual hierarchy.
Solution: Use larger fonts, bold colors, and strategic layouts to highlight key points. Guide your audiences' attention with visual hierarchy.
4. Inconsistency in Design
Mistake: Not maintaining a consistent design throughout the presentation.
Solution: From fonts to color schemes, consistency breeds professionalism. Create a cohesive narrative by ensuring all design elements align with your brand.
5. Underestimating the Power of Storytelling
Mistake: Overlooking the impact of a compelling narrative.
Solution: Tailor your story to resonate with your audience. Craft a narrative arc with a captivating introduction, core content, and a memorable takeaway. Humanize your presentation with real-life anecdotes.
6. Not Knowing Your Audience
Mistake: Failing to tailor your presentation to your audience.
Solution: Understand their needs, challenges, and aspirations. Make your message more relatable by addressing their specific interests.
7. Neglecting Virtual Presentation Skills
Mistake: Ignoring the nuances of virtual presentations.
Solution: Master the art of virtual communication. Leverage tools, optimize visuals for screens, and maintain an engaging tone to keep your audience actively participating.
8. Avoiding Interaction in Presentations
Mistake: Sticking to a one-way communication approach.
Solution: Break away from monotone presentations with interactive elements. Incorporate polls, Q&A sessions, and multimedia to keep your audience engaged and participating actively.
9. Underestimating the Impact of Presentation Design Agencies
Mistake: Overlooking the expertise of presentation design agencies.
Solution: Collaborate with specialized presentation and/or PowerPoint agencies for visually stunning presentations. They understand the nuances of effective design and can transform your ideas into captivating visuals.
10. DIY Design Mistakes
Mistake: Thinking effective design requires a hefty budget.
Solution: Explore user-friendly design tools like Canva. Invest in online courses to enhance your skills and gather feedback from peers to uncover areas for improvement.
11. Ignoring Rehearsals
Mistake: Neglecting the importance of rehearsing your presentation.
Solution: Practice your delivery to enhance confidence and identify areas for improvement. Record yourself and watch it back. Seek feedback from a colleague.
12. Overloading Slides with Information
Mistake: Cramming too much information onto slides.
Solution: Embrace simplicity. Focus on key points and let your speech fill in the details. A clutter-free slide enhances audience understanding.
13. Disregarding Body Language
Mistake: Ignoring the impact of body language during presentations.
Solution: Be mindful of your gestures, posture, and facial expressions. Positive body language enhances your credibility and engages the audience.
14. Neglecting the Opening Hook
Mistake: Starting your presentation with a weak or generic opening.
Solution: Capture your audience's attention from the start. Begin with a compelling question, quote, or anecdote to hook your audience and set the tone.
15. Poor Time Management
Mistake: Overrunning or rushing through your presentation.
Solution: Practice pacing to ensure your presentation fits the allotted time. Be mindful of your audience's attention span and adjust your content accordingly.
16. Ignoring Feedback Loops
Mistake: Disregarding the importance of feedback.
Solution: Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or the audience. Constructive criticism helps refine your presentation skills and address blind spots.
17. Using Overly Complex Jargon
Mistake: Assuming your audience understands complex industry jargon.
Solution: Simplify your language to ensure universal understanding. Clear communication enhances engagement and relatability.
18. Lack of Adaptability
Mistake: Failing to adapt your presentation style to different audiences or settings.
Solution: Understand the context and preferences of your audience. Tailor your delivery to resonate with diverse groups, whether in a boardroom or a virtual setting.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of presentation goes beyond being a captivating speaker. It involves understanding the marriage of design and storytelling, navigating the technological landscape, and adapting to evolving presentation styles. Whether you collaborate with a presentation design agency or take the DIY route, the goal remains the same - to captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression. Embrace the power of design, craft compelling narratives, and watch as your presentations become not just informative sessions but memorable experiences.
Almost exactly one year ago I was in Paris with a colleague and his team of presentation coaches. We were gonna hold a presentation workshop for an international company and their senior managers. What unfolded in that workshop was eye-opening. We asked the attendees to reflect on what makes a presentation great versus awful, and the consensus was clear - bad slides can ruin even the most brilliant presenter's performance.
As we delved into the workshop, it became evident that the common pitfalls were "bad slides," "too much text on slides," and "ugly PowerPoint slides." Aha! The attendees understood the significance of clean design in business presentations. This was great news for me who was growing my presentation design agency.
Bad slides can make the greatest presenter fail
One might argue that as long as you're a captivating speaker, the slides are secondary. However, reality struck us during a 5-minute presentation exercise. One of the senior managers, let’s call him John, had great stage presence and his outgoing and fun personality caught my attention straight away. John was not talking about a super exciting topic, but his impressive way of presenting it made me actually want to listen and see if I could learn anything.
The issue was that John's slides kept pulling my attention away from him and what he was saying, and my focus was instead on reading his bullet points. And it didn't take long before I had lost him and what he was talking about. This happened over and over again with several of the other managers. It became clear that the details crammed into his slides were working against him, not for him.
Most of the senior managers were good at communicating their ideas but they didn't need all the content that they had stuffed in their slides. The details in their presentation slides worked against the speaker rather than supporting them. And this is a fact that most speakers neglect: do my slides enhance or detract from my message?
When you are preparing a presentation, try asking yourself these three questions:
Do I really need all these points on my slide? Embrace simplicity and let your speech fill in the gaps.
What can I delete from my slides and convey through my words? Less is often more when it comes to impactful presentations.
Do my slides support me, or are they stealing the spotlight? Ensure your slides complement your narrative, not compete with it.
The 18 most common presentation mistakes people do, and how to avoid them
On the second day of the workshop we worked together with the participants, did some role plays, critiqued their slides and how they gave their presentations. From these exercises we developed a big list of the most common mistakes people make when giving presentations. We also gave suggestions on how to stop making those mistakes. Here are the top 18 from that list.
1. Ignoring the Power of Design
Mistake: Underestimating the impact of presentation design.
Solution: Embrace clean, visually appealing slides that complement your message. Consider color psychology, visual hierarchy, and maintain consistency throughout. It's hard to tell stories with bullet points.
2. Overlooking the Psychology of Colors
Mistake: Neglecting the influence of colors on audience perception.
Solution: Choose colors wisely to evoke the right emotions. Warm tones for passion, cool tones for trust. Align your color palette with the mood and message of your presentation.
3. Neglecting Visual Hierarchy
Mistake: Failing to guide the audience's attention through visual hierarchy.
Solution: Use larger fonts, bold colors, and strategic layouts to highlight key points. Guide your audiences' attention with visual hierarchy.
4. Inconsistency in Design
Mistake: Not maintaining a consistent design throughout the presentation.
Solution: From fonts to color schemes, consistency breeds professionalism. Create a cohesive narrative by ensuring all design elements align with your brand.
5. Underestimating the Power of Storytelling
Mistake: Overlooking the impact of a compelling narrative.
Solution: Tailor your story to resonate with your audience. Craft a narrative arc with a captivating introduction, core content, and a memorable takeaway. Humanize your presentation with real-life anecdotes.
6. Not Knowing Your Audience
Mistake: Failing to tailor your presentation to your audience.
Solution: Understand their needs, challenges, and aspirations. Make your message more relatable by addressing their specific interests.
7. Neglecting Virtual Presentation Skills
Mistake: Ignoring the nuances of virtual presentations.
Solution: Master the art of virtual communication. Leverage tools, optimize visuals for screens, and maintain an engaging tone to keep your audience actively participating.
8. Avoiding Interaction in Presentations
Mistake: Sticking to a one-way communication approach.
Solution: Break away from monotone presentations with interactive elements. Incorporate polls, Q&A sessions, and multimedia to keep your audience engaged and participating actively.
9. Underestimating the Impact of Presentation Design Agencies
Mistake: Overlooking the expertise of presentation design agencies.
Solution: Collaborate with specialized presentation and/or PowerPoint agencies for visually stunning presentations. They understand the nuances of effective design and can transform your ideas into captivating visuals.
10. DIY Design Mistakes
Mistake: Thinking effective design requires a hefty budget.
Solution: Explore user-friendly design tools like Canva. Invest in online courses to enhance your skills and gather feedback from peers to uncover areas for improvement.
11. Ignoring Rehearsals
Mistake: Neglecting the importance of rehearsing your presentation.
Solution: Practice your delivery to enhance confidence and identify areas for improvement. Record yourself and watch it back. Seek feedback from a colleague.
12. Overloading Slides with Information
Mistake: Cramming too much information onto slides.
Solution: Embrace simplicity. Focus on key points and let your speech fill in the details. A clutter-free slide enhances audience understanding.
13. Disregarding Body Language
Mistake: Ignoring the impact of body language during presentations.
Solution: Be mindful of your gestures, posture, and facial expressions. Positive body language enhances your credibility and engages the audience.
14. Neglecting the Opening Hook
Mistake: Starting your presentation with a weak or generic opening.
Solution: Capture your audience's attention from the start. Begin with a compelling question, quote, or anecdote to hook your audience and set the tone.
15. Poor Time Management
Mistake: Overrunning or rushing through your presentation.
Solution: Practice pacing to ensure your presentation fits the allotted time. Be mindful of your audience's attention span and adjust your content accordingly.
16. Ignoring Feedback Loops
Mistake: Disregarding the importance of feedback.
Solution: Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or the audience. Constructive criticism helps refine your presentation skills and address blind spots.
17. Using Overly Complex Jargon
Mistake: Assuming your audience understands complex industry jargon.
Solution: Simplify your language to ensure universal understanding. Clear communication enhances engagement and relatability.
18. Lack of Adaptability
Mistake: Failing to adapt your presentation style to different audiences or settings.
Solution: Understand the context and preferences of your audience. Tailor your delivery to resonate with diverse groups, whether in a boardroom or a virtual setting.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of presentation goes beyond being a captivating speaker. It involves understanding the marriage of design and storytelling, navigating the technological landscape, and adapting to evolving presentation styles. Whether you collaborate with a presentation design agency or take the DIY route, the goal remains the same - to captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression. Embrace the power of design, craft compelling narratives, and watch as your presentations become not just informative sessions but memorable experiences.
Almost exactly one year ago I was in Paris with a colleague and his team of presentation coaches. We were gonna hold a presentation workshop for an international company and their senior managers. What unfolded in that workshop was eye-opening. We asked the attendees to reflect on what makes a presentation great versus awful, and the consensus was clear - bad slides can ruin even the most brilliant presenter's performance.
As we delved into the workshop, it became evident that the common pitfalls were "bad slides," "too much text on slides," and "ugly PowerPoint slides." Aha! The attendees understood the significance of clean design in business presentations. This was great news for me who was growing my presentation design agency.
Bad slides can make the greatest presenter fail
One might argue that as long as you're a captivating speaker, the slides are secondary. However, reality struck us during a 5-minute presentation exercise. One of the senior managers, let’s call him John, had great stage presence and his outgoing and fun personality caught my attention straight away. John was not talking about a super exciting topic, but his impressive way of presenting it made me actually want to listen and see if I could learn anything.
The issue was that John's slides kept pulling my attention away from him and what he was saying, and my focus was instead on reading his bullet points. And it didn't take long before I had lost him and what he was talking about. This happened over and over again with several of the other managers. It became clear that the details crammed into his slides were working against him, not for him.
Most of the senior managers were good at communicating their ideas but they didn't need all the content that they had stuffed in their slides. The details in their presentation slides worked against the speaker rather than supporting them. And this is a fact that most speakers neglect: do my slides enhance or detract from my message?
When you are preparing a presentation, try asking yourself these three questions:
Do I really need all these points on my slide? Embrace simplicity and let your speech fill in the gaps.
What can I delete from my slides and convey through my words? Less is often more when it comes to impactful presentations.
Do my slides support me, or are they stealing the spotlight? Ensure your slides complement your narrative, not compete with it.
The 18 most common presentation mistakes people do, and how to avoid them
On the second day of the workshop we worked together with the participants, did some role plays, critiqued their slides and how they gave their presentations. From these exercises we developed a big list of the most common mistakes people make when giving presentations. We also gave suggestions on how to stop making those mistakes. Here are the top 18 from that list.
1. Ignoring the Power of Design
Mistake: Underestimating the impact of presentation design.
Solution: Embrace clean, visually appealing slides that complement your message. Consider color psychology, visual hierarchy, and maintain consistency throughout. It's hard to tell stories with bullet points.
2. Overlooking the Psychology of Colors
Mistake: Neglecting the influence of colors on audience perception.
Solution: Choose colors wisely to evoke the right emotions. Warm tones for passion, cool tones for trust. Align your color palette with the mood and message of your presentation.
3. Neglecting Visual Hierarchy
Mistake: Failing to guide the audience's attention through visual hierarchy.
Solution: Use larger fonts, bold colors, and strategic layouts to highlight key points. Guide your audiences' attention with visual hierarchy.
4. Inconsistency in Design
Mistake: Not maintaining a consistent design throughout the presentation.
Solution: From fonts to color schemes, consistency breeds professionalism. Create a cohesive narrative by ensuring all design elements align with your brand.
5. Underestimating the Power of Storytelling
Mistake: Overlooking the impact of a compelling narrative.
Solution: Tailor your story to resonate with your audience. Craft a narrative arc with a captivating introduction, core content, and a memorable takeaway. Humanize your presentation with real-life anecdotes.
6. Not Knowing Your Audience
Mistake: Failing to tailor your presentation to your audience.
Solution: Understand their needs, challenges, and aspirations. Make your message more relatable by addressing their specific interests.
7. Neglecting Virtual Presentation Skills
Mistake: Ignoring the nuances of virtual presentations.
Solution: Master the art of virtual communication. Leverage tools, optimize visuals for screens, and maintain an engaging tone to keep your audience actively participating.
8. Avoiding Interaction in Presentations
Mistake: Sticking to a one-way communication approach.
Solution: Break away from monotone presentations with interactive elements. Incorporate polls, Q&A sessions, and multimedia to keep your audience engaged and participating actively.
9. Underestimating the Impact of Presentation Design Agencies
Mistake: Overlooking the expertise of presentation design agencies.
Solution: Collaborate with specialized presentation and/or PowerPoint agencies for visually stunning presentations. They understand the nuances of effective design and can transform your ideas into captivating visuals.
10. DIY Design Mistakes
Mistake: Thinking effective design requires a hefty budget.
Solution: Explore user-friendly design tools like Canva. Invest in online courses to enhance your skills and gather feedback from peers to uncover areas for improvement.
11. Ignoring Rehearsals
Mistake: Neglecting the importance of rehearsing your presentation.
Solution: Practice your delivery to enhance confidence and identify areas for improvement. Record yourself and watch it back. Seek feedback from a colleague.
12. Overloading Slides with Information
Mistake: Cramming too much information onto slides.
Solution: Embrace simplicity. Focus on key points and let your speech fill in the details. A clutter-free slide enhances audience understanding.
13. Disregarding Body Language
Mistake: Ignoring the impact of body language during presentations.
Solution: Be mindful of your gestures, posture, and facial expressions. Positive body language enhances your credibility and engages the audience.
14. Neglecting the Opening Hook
Mistake: Starting your presentation with a weak or generic opening.
Solution: Capture your audience's attention from the start. Begin with a compelling question, quote, or anecdote to hook your audience and set the tone.
15. Poor Time Management
Mistake: Overrunning or rushing through your presentation.
Solution: Practice pacing to ensure your presentation fits the allotted time. Be mindful of your audience's attention span and adjust your content accordingly.
16. Ignoring Feedback Loops
Mistake: Disregarding the importance of feedback.
Solution: Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or the audience. Constructive criticism helps refine your presentation skills and address blind spots.
17. Using Overly Complex Jargon
Mistake: Assuming your audience understands complex industry jargon.
Solution: Simplify your language to ensure universal understanding. Clear communication enhances engagement and relatability.
18. Lack of Adaptability
Mistake: Failing to adapt your presentation style to different audiences or settings.
Solution: Understand the context and preferences of your audience. Tailor your delivery to resonate with diverse groups, whether in a boardroom or a virtual setting.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of presentation goes beyond being a captivating speaker. It involves understanding the marriage of design and storytelling, navigating the technological landscape, and adapting to evolving presentation styles. Whether you collaborate with a presentation design agency or take the DIY route, the goal remains the same - to captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression. Embrace the power of design, craft compelling narratives, and watch as your presentations become not just informative sessions but memorable experiences.
Almost exactly one year ago I was in Paris with a colleague and his team of presentation coaches. We were gonna hold a presentation workshop for an international company and their senior managers. What unfolded in that workshop was eye-opening. We asked the attendees to reflect on what makes a presentation great versus awful, and the consensus was clear - bad slides can ruin even the most brilliant presenter's performance.
As we delved into the workshop, it became evident that the common pitfalls were "bad slides," "too much text on slides," and "ugly PowerPoint slides." Aha! The attendees understood the significance of clean design in business presentations. This was great news for me who was growing my presentation design agency.
Bad slides can make the greatest presenter fail
One might argue that as long as you're a captivating speaker, the slides are secondary. However, reality struck us during a 5-minute presentation exercise. One of the senior managers, let’s call him John, had great stage presence and his outgoing and fun personality caught my attention straight away. John was not talking about a super exciting topic, but his impressive way of presenting it made me actually want to listen and see if I could learn anything.
The issue was that John's slides kept pulling my attention away from him and what he was saying, and my focus was instead on reading his bullet points. And it didn't take long before I had lost him and what he was talking about. This happened over and over again with several of the other managers. It became clear that the details crammed into his slides were working against him, not for him.
Most of the senior managers were good at communicating their ideas but they didn't need all the content that they had stuffed in their slides. The details in their presentation slides worked against the speaker rather than supporting them. And this is a fact that most speakers neglect: do my slides enhance or detract from my message?
When you are preparing a presentation, try asking yourself these three questions:
Do I really need all these points on my slide? Embrace simplicity and let your speech fill in the gaps.
What can I delete from my slides and convey through my words? Less is often more when it comes to impactful presentations.
Do my slides support me, or are they stealing the spotlight? Ensure your slides complement your narrative, not compete with it.
The 18 most common presentation mistakes people do, and how to avoid them
On the second day of the workshop we worked together with the participants, did some role plays, critiqued their slides and how they gave their presentations. From these exercises we developed a big list of the most common mistakes people make when giving presentations. We also gave suggestions on how to stop making those mistakes. Here are the top 18 from that list.
1. Ignoring the Power of Design
Mistake: Underestimating the impact of presentation design.
Solution: Embrace clean, visually appealing slides that complement your message. Consider color psychology, visual hierarchy, and maintain consistency throughout. It's hard to tell stories with bullet points.
2. Overlooking the Psychology of Colors
Mistake: Neglecting the influence of colors on audience perception.
Solution: Choose colors wisely to evoke the right emotions. Warm tones for passion, cool tones for trust. Align your color palette with the mood and message of your presentation.
3. Neglecting Visual Hierarchy
Mistake: Failing to guide the audience's attention through visual hierarchy.
Solution: Use larger fonts, bold colors, and strategic layouts to highlight key points. Guide your audiences' attention with visual hierarchy.
4. Inconsistency in Design
Mistake: Not maintaining a consistent design throughout the presentation.
Solution: From fonts to color schemes, consistency breeds professionalism. Create a cohesive narrative by ensuring all design elements align with your brand.
5. Underestimating the Power of Storytelling
Mistake: Overlooking the impact of a compelling narrative.
Solution: Tailor your story to resonate with your audience. Craft a narrative arc with a captivating introduction, core content, and a memorable takeaway. Humanize your presentation with real-life anecdotes.
6. Not Knowing Your Audience
Mistake: Failing to tailor your presentation to your audience.
Solution: Understand their needs, challenges, and aspirations. Make your message more relatable by addressing their specific interests.
7. Neglecting Virtual Presentation Skills
Mistake: Ignoring the nuances of virtual presentations.
Solution: Master the art of virtual communication. Leverage tools, optimize visuals for screens, and maintain an engaging tone to keep your audience actively participating.
8. Avoiding Interaction in Presentations
Mistake: Sticking to a one-way communication approach.
Solution: Break away from monotone presentations with interactive elements. Incorporate polls, Q&A sessions, and multimedia to keep your audience engaged and participating actively.
9. Underestimating the Impact of Presentation Design Agencies
Mistake: Overlooking the expertise of presentation design agencies.
Solution: Collaborate with specialized presentation and/or PowerPoint agencies for visually stunning presentations. They understand the nuances of effective design and can transform your ideas into captivating visuals.
10. DIY Design Mistakes
Mistake: Thinking effective design requires a hefty budget.
Solution: Explore user-friendly design tools like Canva. Invest in online courses to enhance your skills and gather feedback from peers to uncover areas for improvement.
11. Ignoring Rehearsals
Mistake: Neglecting the importance of rehearsing your presentation.
Solution: Practice your delivery to enhance confidence and identify areas for improvement. Record yourself and watch it back. Seek feedback from a colleague.
12. Overloading Slides with Information
Mistake: Cramming too much information onto slides.
Solution: Embrace simplicity. Focus on key points and let your speech fill in the details. A clutter-free slide enhances audience understanding.
13. Disregarding Body Language
Mistake: Ignoring the impact of body language during presentations.
Solution: Be mindful of your gestures, posture, and facial expressions. Positive body language enhances your credibility and engages the audience.
14. Neglecting the Opening Hook
Mistake: Starting your presentation with a weak or generic opening.
Solution: Capture your audience's attention from the start. Begin with a compelling question, quote, or anecdote to hook your audience and set the tone.
15. Poor Time Management
Mistake: Overrunning or rushing through your presentation.
Solution: Practice pacing to ensure your presentation fits the allotted time. Be mindful of your audience's attention span and adjust your content accordingly.
16. Ignoring Feedback Loops
Mistake: Disregarding the importance of feedback.
Solution: Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or the audience. Constructive criticism helps refine your presentation skills and address blind spots.
17. Using Overly Complex Jargon
Mistake: Assuming your audience understands complex industry jargon.
Solution: Simplify your language to ensure universal understanding. Clear communication enhances engagement and relatability.
18. Lack of Adaptability
Mistake: Failing to adapt your presentation style to different audiences or settings.
Solution: Understand the context and preferences of your audience. Tailor your delivery to resonate with diverse groups, whether in a boardroom or a virtual setting.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of presentation goes beyond being a captivating speaker. It involves understanding the marriage of design and storytelling, navigating the technological landscape, and adapting to evolving presentation styles. Whether you collaborate with a presentation design agency or take the DIY route, the goal remains the same - to captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression. Embrace the power of design, craft compelling narratives, and watch as your presentations become not just informative sessions but memorable experiences.
Almost exactly one year ago I was in Paris with a colleague and his team of presentation coaches. We were gonna hold a presentation workshop for an international company and their senior managers. What unfolded in that workshop was eye-opening. We asked the attendees to reflect on what makes a presentation great versus awful, and the consensus was clear - bad slides can ruin even the most brilliant presenter's performance.
As we delved into the workshop, it became evident that the common pitfalls were "bad slides," "too much text on slides," and "ugly PowerPoint slides." Aha! The attendees understood the significance of clean design in business presentations. This was great news for me who was growing my presentation design agency.
Bad slides can make the greatest presenter fail
One might argue that as long as you're a captivating speaker, the slides are secondary. However, reality struck us during a 5-minute presentation exercise. One of the senior managers, let’s call him John, had great stage presence and his outgoing and fun personality caught my attention straight away. John was not talking about a super exciting topic, but his impressive way of presenting it made me actually want to listen and see if I could learn anything.
The issue was that John's slides kept pulling my attention away from him and what he was saying, and my focus was instead on reading his bullet points. And it didn't take long before I had lost him and what he was talking about. This happened over and over again with several of the other managers. It became clear that the details crammed into his slides were working against him, not for him.
Most of the senior managers were good at communicating their ideas but they didn't need all the content that they had stuffed in their slides. The details in their presentation slides worked against the speaker rather than supporting them. And this is a fact that most speakers neglect: do my slides enhance or detract from my message?
When you are preparing a presentation, try asking yourself these three questions:
Do I really need all these points on my slide? Embrace simplicity and let your speech fill in the gaps.
What can I delete from my slides and convey through my words? Less is often more when it comes to impactful presentations.
Do my slides support me, or are they stealing the spotlight? Ensure your slides complement your narrative, not compete with it.
The 18 most common presentation mistakes people do, and how to avoid them
On the second day of the workshop we worked together with the participants, did some role plays, critiqued their slides and how they gave their presentations. From these exercises we developed a big list of the most common mistakes people make when giving presentations. We also gave suggestions on how to stop making those mistakes. Here are the top 18 from that list.
1. Ignoring the Power of Design
Mistake: Underestimating the impact of presentation design.
Solution: Embrace clean, visually appealing slides that complement your message. Consider color psychology, visual hierarchy, and maintain consistency throughout. It's hard to tell stories with bullet points.
2. Overlooking the Psychology of Colors
Mistake: Neglecting the influence of colors on audience perception.
Solution: Choose colors wisely to evoke the right emotions. Warm tones for passion, cool tones for trust. Align your color palette with the mood and message of your presentation.
3. Neglecting Visual Hierarchy
Mistake: Failing to guide the audience's attention through visual hierarchy.
Solution: Use larger fonts, bold colors, and strategic layouts to highlight key points. Guide your audiences' attention with visual hierarchy.
4. Inconsistency in Design
Mistake: Not maintaining a consistent design throughout the presentation.
Solution: From fonts to color schemes, consistency breeds professionalism. Create a cohesive narrative by ensuring all design elements align with your brand.
5. Underestimating the Power of Storytelling
Mistake: Overlooking the impact of a compelling narrative.
Solution: Tailor your story to resonate with your audience. Craft a narrative arc with a captivating introduction, core content, and a memorable takeaway. Humanize your presentation with real-life anecdotes.
6. Not Knowing Your Audience
Mistake: Failing to tailor your presentation to your audience.
Solution: Understand their needs, challenges, and aspirations. Make your message more relatable by addressing their specific interests.
7. Neglecting Virtual Presentation Skills
Mistake: Ignoring the nuances of virtual presentations.
Solution: Master the art of virtual communication. Leverage tools, optimize visuals for screens, and maintain an engaging tone to keep your audience actively participating.
8. Avoiding Interaction in Presentations
Mistake: Sticking to a one-way communication approach.
Solution: Break away from monotone presentations with interactive elements. Incorporate polls, Q&A sessions, and multimedia to keep your audience engaged and participating actively.
9. Underestimating the Impact of Presentation Design Agencies
Mistake: Overlooking the expertise of presentation design agencies.
Solution: Collaborate with specialized presentation and/or PowerPoint agencies for visually stunning presentations. They understand the nuances of effective design and can transform your ideas into captivating visuals.
10. DIY Design Mistakes
Mistake: Thinking effective design requires a hefty budget.
Solution: Explore user-friendly design tools like Canva. Invest in online courses to enhance your skills and gather feedback from peers to uncover areas for improvement.
11. Ignoring Rehearsals
Mistake: Neglecting the importance of rehearsing your presentation.
Solution: Practice your delivery to enhance confidence and identify areas for improvement. Record yourself and watch it back. Seek feedback from a colleague.
12. Overloading Slides with Information
Mistake: Cramming too much information onto slides.
Solution: Embrace simplicity. Focus on key points and let your speech fill in the details. A clutter-free slide enhances audience understanding.
13. Disregarding Body Language
Mistake: Ignoring the impact of body language during presentations.
Solution: Be mindful of your gestures, posture, and facial expressions. Positive body language enhances your credibility and engages the audience.
14. Neglecting the Opening Hook
Mistake: Starting your presentation with a weak or generic opening.
Solution: Capture your audience's attention from the start. Begin with a compelling question, quote, or anecdote to hook your audience and set the tone.
15. Poor Time Management
Mistake: Overrunning or rushing through your presentation.
Solution: Practice pacing to ensure your presentation fits the allotted time. Be mindful of your audience's attention span and adjust your content accordingly.
16. Ignoring Feedback Loops
Mistake: Disregarding the importance of feedback.
Solution: Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or the audience. Constructive criticism helps refine your presentation skills and address blind spots.
17. Using Overly Complex Jargon
Mistake: Assuming your audience understands complex industry jargon.
Solution: Simplify your language to ensure universal understanding. Clear communication enhances engagement and relatability.
18. Lack of Adaptability
Mistake: Failing to adapt your presentation style to different audiences or settings.
Solution: Understand the context and preferences of your audience. Tailor your delivery to resonate with diverse groups, whether in a boardroom or a virtual setting.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of presentation goes beyond being a captivating speaker. It involves understanding the marriage of design and storytelling, navigating the technological landscape, and adapting to evolving presentation styles. Whether you collaborate with a presentation design agency or take the DIY route, the goal remains the same - to captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression. Embrace the power of design, craft compelling narratives, and watch as your presentations become not just informative sessions but memorable experiences.
Figma Slides: A new presentation tool taking on PowerPoint and co
Figma Slides: A new presentation tool taking on PowerPoint and co
Figma Slides: A new presentation tool taking on PowerPoint and co
Figma Slides: A new presentation tool taking on PowerPoint and co
Figma Slides: A new presentation tool taking on PowerPoint and co
Figma Slides: A new presentation tool taking on PowerPoint and co
Presentation tools
Presentation tools
Presentation tools
Presentation tools
Presentation tools
How to prepare a great conference keynote presentation
How to prepare a great conference keynote presentation
How to prepare a great conference keynote presentation
How to prepare a great conference keynote presentation
How to prepare a great conference keynote presentation
How to prepare a great conference keynote presentation
Public speaking
Public speaking
Public speaking
Public speaking
Public speaking