Five Presentation Disasters Best Avoided
Emma Bannister (pictured below) the founder and CEO of Presentation Studio, APAC’s largest presentation communication agency, and author of the book ‘Visual Thinking: How to transform the way you think, communicate and influence with presentations.’ In her latest column for B&T, she offers top tips to ensure your next presentation doesn’t tank…
When you’re the one up the front of the room, clicker in hand, it can be hard to see your own mistakes. Many of these common presentation mistakes go undetected because audiences are too polite to critique. Luckily for you, today we are going to reveal all the ways your presentations are going awry. Here are five presentation disasters to avoid:
- Bored Audience Syndrome
The worst presentation mistake, and sadly among the most common, is a bored audience. If they are unengaged and disinterested, as soon as you step off the stage they won’t remember a single thing you said.
Cause: Jargon filled script, cliched graphics, lack of passion and not adding value
Solution: Keep it short and sweet (10-15 minutes of speaking is ample). Be sure to speak clearly and simply, tailoring what you say to your audience’s needs. Use thought provoking, dynamic visuals and real-life stories and experiences to capture their attention and most of all, harness your passion!
- Lost in the slide-show
One minute, you’re cruising through your presentation, confident as anything. The next – the wrong slide comes up and you’re lost. You fumble through the next ten minutes, flicking backwards and forwards to find your place. It looks sloppy and unprepared.
Cause: A lack of practice.
Solution: Prepare, prepare – and prepare some more! The more familiar you are with your presentation, the smoother it will be. Check out the new ‘Summary Zoom’ feature in PowerPoint O365. You can navigate content based on questions your audience ask and you will be in full control.
- Nervous Nelly!
Even thinking about your presentation fills your belly with butterflies – and not the good kind. If public speaking is your worst nightmare and you feel less than confident in your abilities, you might be thinking: “What if everyone ignores me”?
Cause: An overactive imagination and a lack of experience
Solution: Create a presentation you are proud of, focus on what you know, and then practice it until presenting feels like second nature. Confidence comes from repetition. Buy your colleagues a coffee or sit your family down and deliver your presentation in front of them. Print out 3 slides and ask your practice audience to note down feedback on the slides / content they didn’t understand. Use this feedback to simplify or slowdown your delivery. Remind yourself that the chemical reaction for fear is the same as excitement – channel your brain to think you are excited – your ideas are worth sharing!
- You vs the Clock
Just as you are getting to the climax of your presentation, you look at the clock in front of you and realise you have one minute of allocated time left! You are sure to run over time or fail to complete your presentation.
Cause: Oops – you forgot to time your presentation!
Solution: Always time your presentation. That doesn’t mean reading it in your head and using your phone timer to keep track. Always practise by speaking the words out loud – it will slow you down. Stand up and walk around the room. And if you are inviting questions from your audience, don’t let them interrupt your flow – allow for question time at the end. Always, always plan to come in 5 minutes under the time you have been allotted.
- Technology breakdown
Your computer freezes, your video won’t play and just to top things off – the microphone keeps cutting out. Disaster!
Cause: Surprise technology fail!
Solution: Think on your feet. While preparation can be a help in avoiding technological breakdowns, sometimes there is nothing you can do to prevent your equipment from running amuck. The trick is recovering quickly. Remain confident, calm and focussed. Remember your human to human connection. Prepare in advance what you will do in case of a tech emergency and be ready to put plan B into action. Your audience won’t panic if you don’t.
Take Feedback
By avoiding these five common presentation disasters, you can gain a reputation as a practised presenter. The key to remaining ahead of the game is encouraging constructive criticism. If in doubt – ask your audience! What can you do better next time?
Please login with linkedin to comment
Emma BannisterLatest News
Sydney Comedy Festival: Taking The City & Social Media By Storm
Sydney Comedy Festival 2024 is live and ready to rumble, showing the best of international and homegrown talent at a host of venues around town. As usual, it’s hot on the heels of its big sister, the giant that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, picking up some acts as they continue on their own […]
Global Marketers Descend For AANA’s RESET For Growth
The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) has announced the final epic lineup of local and global marketing powerhouses for RESET for Growth 2024. Lead image: Josh Faulks, chief executive officer, AANA Back in 2000, a woman with no business experience opened her first juice bar in Adelaide. The idea was brilliantly simple: make healthy […]
Is Meta’s New AI Chatbot Too Left-Wing?
Meta's chatbot accused of being left-wing after being caught wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt & listening to Billy Bragg.
TV Ratings (23/04/2024): Why Did No One Tell Angela That Farmer Wants A Wife Is Set On A Farm?
As wonderful as this headline is, let's face it, we all know an 'Angela', don't we?
PubMatic Unveils New AI Partnership To Turn Social Posts Into Ads For Any Digital Channel
Here's some nifty tech for turning social posts into ads. Assuming said posts aren't one-star character assassinations.
Intuit Mailchimp Makes A Splash With Its First Australian Brand Campaign
Ever laugh along at a gag you didn't get so as not to appear dumb? Get ready for more feigning with this new work.
GumGum’s Rob Hall: Advertisers Can No Longer “Rely On Binary Descriptions” Of Consumers
If anyone's got their finger on adtech's pulse, it's Rob Hall. He also avoids using the good paper in the office printer
Mastercard Nabs Florencia Aimo From Marriott International
Marriott International's Florencia Aimo jumps from the hotel business to the exploitative credit card one.
Bastion Agency Appoints Cheuk Chiang As New ANZ CEO
Cheuk Chiang takes the reins over at Bastion Agency. But not the rains down in Africa.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Major Sponsorship Wins After A Disappointing Week In Sport
B&T continuing our deep dive into local sport sponsorships & that's despite not a single offer of a free ticket as yet.
Macca’s Marketing Director, Samantha McLeod On Big Mac Chant: “What Was Once Old Is Now Cool Again”
Macca's using the power of nostalgia in latest Big Mac campaign. Well, only for those who've ever eaten one sober.
World Premiere Of Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line To Open Sydney Film Festival 2024
Oil's biopic to open Sydney Film Festival. Here's hoping Molly Meldrum will take his pants down at the premiere.
Entries Are Now Open For The 2024 Brandies, IntelligenceBank’s Annual Brand Marketing Awards
The Brandies are, of course, a prestigious marketing gong and not the mystery tipple favoured by nannas everywhere.
The Fred Hollows Foundation Appoints Ardent For PR
Yes, we all like to have a joke at PR's expense. But sometimes it does important work, like this.
AI, eCommerce & Marketing Specialists Are In Increased Demand By Businesses, New Data From Fiverr Shows
Has your philosophy & anthropology degree left you with nothing but a huge HECS debt? Here's what you should've studied.
Perth’s First 3D Anamorphic Billboard Arrives Courtesy Of oOh!media
Do you love a buzzword? Now you can add anamorphic to the list as it relates to billboards, not a colleague's ears.
MasterChef Australia & Crown Resorts Launch Unique Dining Experience With ALUMNI
A pop-up restaurant staffed by MasterChef contestants! That's fine dining prices for first-year apprentice chef cuisine!
Amanda Laing Announces Resignation From Foxtel Group
Foxtel's chief commercial & content officer heads for the exits. Read nice things the bosses said about her right here.
The Lost Letters From Our Diggers: News Corp Unveils ANZAC Day Special
It's nice when brands respectfully acknowledge ANZAC Day.
Howatson+Company Acquires Akkomplice
Large indie acquires a slightly smaller indie. Much like a shark eating a tuna, just with less thrashing and blood.
Google Delays Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Again
In good news for the sale of picture library biscuit photos, Google continues to tease over the end of cookies.
Education A Low Priority For Aussies More Concerned With Cost Of Living Forethought Study Reveals
Study finds Aussies cutting back on education due to cost of living. Booze & Uber Eats sales remain largely unaffected.
“I’m Still The Same Person That I Was”: Rikki Stern Says “Fucc It” To Cancer Stereotypes
B&T always happy to promote the anti-cancer cause. Even brands that massively overdo it with the hot pink.
The Unapproved Climate Certification Allegedly Causing Mass Greenwashing
Are you left flummoxed in the canned tuna & free range eggs aisle? Just wait till this green certification gets up.
TV Ratings (22/04/2024): Fans Mock “Over The Top” Reaction To New MasterChef Judges
MasterChef returns for its 2024 season. B&T stands by putting peppercorns in Gravox & no one will be any the wiser.
Dentsu Restructure: Muddle, Harvey & Johnston Take Leadership Baton As Bass & Yurisich Exit
A large broom has swept through Dentsu's local ops this morning, taking with it some big names & the air con's cobwebs.
Industry Shares Trends Shaping The Industry This International Creators Day
B&T's asking adland creators to reveal their top trends. And it's not good news for your Jenny Kee cardigan collection.
Mable Extends HOYTS Sensory Screenings Partnership
Mable has extended its HOYTS sensory screening partnership. Vigorously defends its two-star Oppenheimer review.
Orphan Launches ‘They Need Our Help. We Need Yours’ For Children’s Cancer Institute
Anything to do with childhood cancers has B&T's 110% support. That said, we do ignore the red meat & alcohol warnings.
Smile Team Orthodontics & Keep Left Collaborate On Smile-Inducing Campaign
As parents would attest, given the cost of orthodontics you'd expect this campaign to be a lavish production indeed.
Opinion: How Video Calls Neglect Learning Diversity
Need an excuse to duck out of a video call this arvo? Show this to your boss.
DoubleVerify Achieves First-Of-Its-Kind Responsible AI Certification From TrustArc
DoubleVerify receives responsible AI certification. However, not its robotic vacuum that's been seen menacing the cat.
Smile For A Good Cause: The Social Media Campaign Giving Back To The Community
Are you known as the office Austin Powers? More for you teeth than shagability? Get snappy new fangs with this news.
Elon Musk Mocks Albo After ESafety Wins Court Injunction Against X
Albo's 2024 from hell continues - Rabbitohs in crisis, down in the polls and now feuding with world's richest man.
Real Estate Developer In Hot Water Over “Sexually Exploitative” OOH Campaign
Real estate agents again tops in the 'least trusted profession' polls, nudging used car salesmen & ad creatives.
Epsilon’s Shane Hanby: Post-Cookie Era Relies On “Teamwork” Between Brands, Marketers & Tech
This pro predicts more "teamwork" in a post-cookie era. Which spells bad news for the uncooperative or plain stubborn.