You need a shared outlook
Avoid too many ‘I’s’, ‘my’s’, ‘you’s’ and ‘your’s’ it creates division and can sound judgemental or assumptive. Instead come together with your listener using ‘us’ and ‘our’, communicating that you believe you are on the same side.

Watch those hands
Banging fists = frustration, punching = aggression, flailing arms = drowning. Smooth, genuine hand movements will get your point across far better and instil more trust.

Rambling Intros…
A meandering start will lose audience’s attention and sow seeds of irrelevance. Your introduction should be brief, set the tone of your message and signpost the way forward.

If online - watch the eye line
Be aware of how your eyeline reads to the audience. If you want to talk directly to your viewer, or the person interviewing you is in another location, you need to look directly into the lens. Getting this wrong, will make you seem detached, shifty and ill prepared.

Poor graphics bore audiences
Images should represent a concept and convey meaning. Overly literal or dated graphics will suggest your message is out of touch and uninspiring. Take time to find graphics that engage otherwise your attempts will look like you couldn’t be bothered and you just clicked on the first thing that came up on google.

Visual messages need to add something
Adding bits of graphics that don’t enrich what you are saying will simply distract and confuse. Charts and graphics should provide a visual stimulus aiding understanding and retention.

Metaphors and symbolic language
Speaking metaphorically or using synonyms can add depth and colour to a speech. Overuse however can make the speaker seem as though they are trying to inflate a message with little substance.

Emphasis
Emphasis or ‘key word lift’ should be used sparingly to shine a light on the most important elements of your presentation. EMPHASISING - EVERY - OTHER - WORD comes across as bullish and unrefined. It also deems your actual key phrases inconsequential.

Through line
Every presentation needs a thread that draws together your story. There needs to be a beginning a middle and an end. Without this your audience will be confused, disorientated or worse, stop listening altogether.

Key message
You need to have one. A clear one. Then you need to convey it and inspire people to take it on board, use it and act upon it. Your key message also needs to be supported by any other materials, press releases and further announcements that get put out there. A lack of clarity here will seriously muddy the water. It runs the risk of disorientating and frustrating your audience, who will be much less likely to take the time to listen next time you speak.

Oh yes, and maybe leave the chandelier out of shot too!

If you’d like some help to help avoid the pitfalls and pull off a great presentation, try out one of the professional coaching packages for yourself or your organisation