You're about to give a crucial presentation. What pitfalls should you steer clear of?

Based on experience I have always felt that the initial 2-3 min of your presentation sets the tone for rest of the presentation. If you are well prepared you get the control on your delivery from the very beginning. This gives a huge boost to your confidence and after that even if there are some hick ups during the course of the presentation you can handle them better.

1. lack of preparation 2. no time management 3. not knowing which information is relevant and important and which is not 4. failure to interact with the audience 5. bad body language 6. Not taking a feedback

One of the most common pitfalls to avoid during a crucial presentation is being unaware of the source of the information or statistics presented. This lack of clarity can undermine your credibility and the confidence your audience has in your message. It's not enough to be confident in your delivery; you must also ensure that the data you present is reliable and well-understood. Confidence in your ability to present should be matched by confidence in the numbers you're sharing with your audience.

1. Follow the rule of 2/4/8 for efficient presentation - One slide every 2 minutes, 4 bullets per slide, 8 words per bullet. 2. Follow the 5 fundamental principles of design - Emphasis, balance, contrast, proportion, and white space. 3. Follow the 5 basic elements of design - Colour, typography, images, shapes, and layout & composition.

One of the most common things I hear people say is "I over thought" or "I went blank"... more often than not these all stem from the same place, subconscious control. You have to stick to your point and not worry about what could/if. You are there to deliver a message, reach the audience, hold yourself professionally and you'll do great. Anticipation of what could or may happen is a burden. In my opinion, you don't need to be the best, you need to be authentic and honest. That will put you tiers above the others who are most likely putting on a show they subconsciously think others want to see.

It is the primary reason for delivering the presentation, if this is defeated then everything else is defeated irrespective of how well it is done. At the end of the presentation each of the attendees should be able to grasp clearly what is the message conveyed in the presentation.

At the core of any good presentation, you tell your audience what you plan to tell them, then you tell them, and finally you tell them what you told them. Punch it up, make it interesting, but don't stray from this basic structure.

An unclear message or no message defeats the very purpose of a presentation and is also a drag on the audience. It is best to have a sectional approach to the presentation with each section having a clear message for the audience. Also the logical sequencing and connect of the sections should be such that audiences are able to relate to the flow and follow the message with simplicity.

LOST IN TRANSLATION Be mindful that the things we find incredibly exciting often do not translate to our audience! You will often times find yourself speaking to an audience with varying backgrounds and priorities. The key here is to take the time to understand who is your audience, and what VALUE can you deliver through content. That’s when you can cut through the noise and execute a sharp and meaningful presentation.

A clear message in a critical presentation ensures that the audience comprehends the main points, improving retention and recall of information. It enhances your ability to persuade and influence, building trust and credibility. A focused message keeps the presentation efficient and on track, capturing and maintaining audience attention. Ultimately, clear communication leads to actionable outcomes, as the audience knows exactly what steps to take next.

Presentations should not be a reading session, or a simple recitation. It helps to practice how you deliver your message, speaking it out loud for you to hear what you sound like. Have a mock presentation with someone you trust and be open for suggestions. More than your voice, watch your body language as well.

Before a crucial presentation, I once delivered my points in a monotonous tone, and it fell flat. I learned that engaging delivery is essential. Now, I focus on varying my voice and using storytelling to captivate my audience. A dynamic presentation not only keeps attention but also makes the message memorable. It's amazing how energy can transform a room!

Honesty is key in any presentation. Audiences can sense when you're being genuine, which builds trust and credibility. It's important to be sincere about your content and intentions. If you don't know something, admit it - people appreciate transparency. Speaking from the heart not only makes your message more relatable but also strengthens your connection with the audience.

Information in slides should be limited as per relevance of the topic only. Facts which are relevant and bring a novelty factor to the presentation catch everybody's attention and bring the audience's focus back. While information which is put in just to fill the slides and does not add any value to listeners knowledge makes them switch their attention immediately to something like checking their phone or WhatsApp and it is very hard to win the attention back once you loose it.

One crucial pitfall to steer clear of during a presentation is information overload. It's tempting to include every detail to demonstrate your knowledge, but too much information can overwhelm your audience and dilute your key message. Instead, focus on the most important points, keep your slides clear and concise, and ensure that your narrative is easy to follow. Engage your audience with a few well-chosen data points or stories, and be ready to elaborate if questions arise.

I learned that overloaded slides are a surefire way to lose your audience. Cramming too much info led to confusion and distraction. Now I focus on clean, visually impactful slides that complement my message, not compete with it. Remember, less is often more when it comes to effective presentations!

Your slides should help emphasize your message but not be the sole focus. Aside from its content, it's great if you can add some accessibility options to it. Videos can have CC. Make the text and graphics readable.

Before a crucial presentation, I once underestimated the importance of timing and lost track of my allotted time. This left me rushing through key points. Now, I always practice with a timer, ensuring I respect my audience's time and deliver my message clearly. Managing time effectively can make all the difference in leaving a lasting impression!

No matter how knowledgeable you may be and how much you want to share about what you know, it's important to keep track of your allotted time. You can stay on track by organizing your thoughts into categories that connect each point to the other. If there's no more time, if possible, provide a platform or contact point for your audience to reach out of they have additional questions or comments on your topic.

Los tiempos actuales y el tipo de contenido que se consume a diario ha hecho que la capacidad de las personas para poner atención y escucha activa sobre un tema sean más sesgados. Sin embargo considero importante para una presentación recalcar por escrito solo puntos particulares y abundar en el temas no más de 2min, poner ejemplos de situaciones e incluso citar libros y autores como referencias. Captar la atención en una presentación debe ser bajo un ambiente de confort para la audiencia para que no se sientan con la resistencia o el estar obligad@ a recibir información.

One thing I have found helpful is to avoid unnecessary chatter that doesn't drive home your point during your presentation. This is mostly because it saves you a lot of time and also helps to give you a very clear sense of direction while presenting.

Again, as with all aspects of giving a presentation, consider your audience. A small group setting would be a more appropriate place to ask questions or have a quick icebreaker activity than a boardroom. However, for a more mature and larger audience that may not be as comfortable interacting with you as the speaker or fellow audience members, you can ask the audience to "Imagine this scenario...." and give them some examples of what they may have imagined. It's engaging the audience without making them uncomfortable.

Definitivamente involucrar a la audiencia es importante. Esto permite que el interés este presente durante la presentación y puedas alcanzar el objetivo con mayor facilidad

It's great to pick an engagement activity that fits the form of presentation you are participating in. Choosing the right kind of interaction can enrich the experience for both the presenter and the audience.