THE TEN BIGGEST PUBLIC SPEAKING MISTAKES... AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

1. Not making a good first impression.

2. Not being prepared.

3. Not being enthusiastic.

4. Not knowing how to write and deliver an organized presentation.

5. Not staying within your allotted time frame.

6. Not knowing how to effectively use eye contact, gestures, and body language.

7. Not using vocal variety.

8. Not using visual aids.

9. Not using humor.

10. Not overcoming your fear of public speaking.

Mistake #1: Not Making a Good First Impression.

It's important to dress equal to or even better than your audience. Why? You'll establish rapport, increase your credibility, and they'll take you seriously.

If your audience is dressed in corporate business attire you should wear a suit, sport coat and tie, dress, or dress suit. Read John T. Molloy's books: Dress for Success or The Woman's Dress for Success Book.

Also to make a good first impression, walk confidently to the lectern, shake hands with the person who introduces you, then address your audience.

Mistake #2: Not Being Prepared or Not Giving the Impression that You Are Prepared.

Preparation has at least two parts -- developing your presentation skills and gathering the content for your presentation.

If you develop your presentation skills now, well in advance of a sudden need or desire to give a presentation, then you can invest most of your time on developing content.

Be prepared and do your homework. Research what you're going to say, write it down or at least prepare an outline, and most importantly, practice... practice... practice!

If you're not prepared, don't give your presentation, especially if you're getting paid for the engagement! If you're not getting paid, if you don't have the time to prepare, and if you're sufficiently skilled in the basics of public speaking, do the best that you can with what you know.

In any case, don't apologize for not being prepared or make excuses and then deliver your presentation. You'll only program your audience for your failure. If your audience doesn't expect you to fail, they'll be supportive and may not know that you're not prepared, especially if you have well-developed, basic presentation skills.

Mistake #3: Not Being Enthusiastic.

Enthusiasm can make up for a great deal of weaknesses. If you're not excited about your topic, get another topic or find something about that topic for which you can develop enthusiasm. Show your audience that you're excited about what you're sharing with them. Talk fast and demonstrate a high energy level.

Mistake #4: Not Knowing How to Write And Deliver An Organized Presentation.

To be effective, all of your presentations must have at least a clearly defined opening, body, and closing. In addition, you should have transitions that lead your audience from the beginning to the end of your presentations.

Mistake #5: Not Staying Within Your Allotted Time Frame.

Delivering a speech within specific time parameters is essential. Often, you're on a program with other speakers. Each speaker and aspect of the program has an allotted time limit. If you go beyond your time limit, you'll disrupt the entire program. Usually, you'll cause another speaker to have a reduced speaking time. Probably, you won't be invited back.

Volunteer to speak first. That way, if someone else goes over time, it will not affect your presentation.

Mistake #6: Not Knowing How to Use Eye Contact, Gestures and Body Language Effectively.

You can greatly enhance your impact by using eye contact, gestures, and body language that compliment your spoken message. Looking at your audience helps you develop a rapport with them. No one wants to listen to a speaker who has his or her eyes glued to notes.

To make eye contact, pick out someone on the left side of your audience and speak to him for 5 to 10 seconds while making your point. Then look at someone in the middle of your audience and speak to her for 5 to 10 seconds. Make another point. Repeat this pattern by talking to someone on the right side of your audience. Follow this by talking to someone else in the middle of your audience and then the left side again. By using this technique, you'll seem to be talking to everyone while you're actually connecting with individuals in your audience.

Similarly, using your body to gesture helps you grab and maintain your audience's attention. Move around a little and use your hands and arms naturally to compliment your points.

Mistake #7: Not Using Vocal Variety.

Speaking in a monotone will put your audience to sleep. Project your voice, then speak softly at times. Speak quickly and sometimes more slowly. Also change the pitch of your voice for emphasis.

Mistake #8: Not Using Visual Aids.

Visual aids make your message memorable, make your presentation interesting, and appeal to visual learners. Use videos, overheads, PowerPoint slides, flip charts, marker boards, or physical models.

Mistake #9: Not Using Humor.

Humor to a presentation is like herbs and spices to a salad. Both turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Grab your audience's attention with humor. Tell a humorous story to make your point. Use humor to transition from one point to another. End your speech with humor.

Mistake #10: Not Overcoming your Fear of Public Speaking.

Most people have a fear of public speaking. Surveys indicate it is the number one fear. One way to reduce it is to present as often as possible and hope to desensitize your fear.

Additionally, you should take a public speaking course or join Toastmasters International.

Becoming a confident speaker is like learning to play the piano. You must learn the basics. You must practice and then practice some more. It's worth it. Because those who can communicate effectively get the best jobs, make the most money, and in general, are happier and more satisfied.

But the absolute best and fastest way to kill those butterflies and develop effective public speaking skills is to experience No Sweat Speaking(tm).

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Allan and Allan are public speaking coaches and trainers. You can contact them at nosweatspeaking.com