Avoiding Common Public Speaking Mistakes
Here are 5 common mistakes people make:
Lack of practice: Inc. stated in a recent article that. “less than 2% of over 5,000 business presenters at Fortune 100 companies…actually practice their presentation aloud.” Your speech can become disrupted by its unrefined state. Practicing is a valuable part of preparing for a presentation.
Not getting enough sleep: Sleep is an essential function and lack of it is proven to affect verbal fluency. Presenting in front of an audience is a task that requires your speech and memory. Be sure to get at least 8 hours to set you up for your best performance!
Not knowing the audience: It’s important to research who you will be speaking to. This allows you to tailor the relevancy and message to the audience. If you don’t you risk appearing unknowledgeable, making a mistake, or even worse - never being booked again.
Not getting feedback: This can be a scary part of preparation. Try it out with some trusted friends or colleagues. Do not take constructive feedback personally- it is an opportunity for growth. Asking for feedback is brave, and those who give it are making an investment in you!
Not telling a story: Adding a story to your presentation can make it matter. A good story has a beginning, middle, and end. Pick stories that are relevant and illustrate a point to hook your audience. And be sure to land the plane aka have a strong ending!
