The 5 Most Common Mistakes Novice Speakers Make When Delivering Their Presentation

Have you ever noticed how some speakers appear to effortlessly take the stage and command the room?

They’re inspiring, confident and often so good that it seems that with little effort they close the room and have a flock of people rushing to speak to them.

Speaking to attract and convert clients is far different than delivering an inspirational or motivational talk, if you’re using speaking as a marketing strategy to grow your business, you’ll want to learn how to speak and sell like a pro.

In today’s blog I’m sharing the 5 most common mistakes speakers make when delivering their presentation, and how when you avoid them you’ll have a better chance of closing the room.

Mistake #1: Not Designing a Signature Talk

Why do some speakers close the room so well? It’s because they’ve designed a presentation, aka Signature Talk that is structured to cover these elements:

• Developing trust through credibility, telling their story and sharing their message
• Offering valuable content that appeals to what their audience wants to hear
• Making an offer that is in complete alignment with the topic

Too often novice speakers will not take the time to put together a structured signature talk. Don’t make this mistake, take time to create an outline for your talk.

Mistake #2: Not Practicing their Signature Talk

Since my early 20’s I’ve delivered thousands of presentations. Some have been outstanding, while others have been a complete flop.

What’s the secret to my successful ones?

PRACTICE!

I firmly believe that every presentation you deliver requires practice. Before you deliver your presentation, set time aside to practice your presentation.

Mistake #3: Not Doing a Full Run Through

Not only do you need to practice your presentation, you also want to take time to run through your slides (if you’re using them), review your handouts and check all of your materials.

Not taking these steps will make you look unprofessional, will cause you stress during the day of the presentation and can prevent any mishaps the day of your talk.

Mistake #4: Not Telling Your Host How to Introduce You

Do you have a more challenging name to pronounce? Do you have a certain way you want your Bio to be read?

My first and last name have been mispronounced more ways than I can ever say.

Just because you know how to pronounce your name doesn’t mean everyone else does.

Prior to any speaking engagement where you’re going to be introduced, tell your host exactly how to pronounce your name.

This way you won’t be focused on what they said and how your name was mispronounced, but instead, get up and deliver a great presentation and stay completely in the zone.

Mistake #5:  Not Making an Offer

This seems unbelievably obvious but if you’re trying to close the room, you must make an offer. Many novice speakers forget this very important part of their presentation and then they’re disappointed when they don’t close the room.

Build the offer (call to action) into your presentation and you’re that much closer to more clients and customers.

When it comes to presentation mistakes to avoid.  Keep these things in mind:

1. Design your talk
2. Practice your talk before delivering it
3. Start to finish, do a full run through of your presentation (slides, set up and all)
4. Tell your host exactly how to pronounce your name
5. Make an offer so they know how to take the next step with you

Now I’d LOVE to hear from you. What kind of speaking mistakes have you made?

What’s helped you deliver a better presentation?

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