Are These Common Speaking Mistakes Costing You Money!

Discover These Five Secrets To Instantly Engage and Connect 

Are you tired of your nerves getting the best of you every time you step up to present?

Do anxious thoughts and self-doubt swirl in your head, making you feel like you can never be an effective speaker?

We’ve got your back! It’s time to STOP five behaviors that are sabotaging your presentations and transform you into the confident storyteller you’ve always dreamed of being.

SLIDES

First, STOP overloading your slides with text. I know it’s tempting to put everything you want to say on your slides.

But that’s not what your audience wants, or needs. If all you’re going to do is show them a bunch of slides filled with information that they probably can’t read, save everybody some time. Send it out as a PDF and let them read it at their leisure.

Every person sitting in front of you, or on the other side of your camera, has been raised on some type of screen – TV, computers, or phones. If you focus attention on your slides, you’re competing with your own presentation. You’re going to lose because people are drawn to screens.

Instead I’m filling those slides with verbiage, use images and a few key words to convey your main ideas. Listeners should be listening to you, not reading slides.

ENGAGEMENT

Second, STOP talking at people. Start engaging with them. Monologues are a surefire way to lose audience interest. Ask questions, encourage participation, and create a dialogue. Make them feel like a part of your story, and you’ll keep them hooked from beginning to end.

VOICE AND BODY

Third, STOP neglecting your voice and body language. A monotone voice and stiff posture can make the most interesting topics sound dull. Practice varying your tone, and use your body language to emphasize key points. A well-placed pause  makes a world of difference.

When telling your stories, make sure your delivery matches the tone of your material. This will create a deeper engagement with listeners.

REPS, REPS, REPS

Fourth, STOP ignoring the power of practice. Preparation reduces anxiety and breeds confidence. Record yourself, or present to trust worthy people who will give you honest feedback. Be sure to watch the recordings. Repetition of your material, with ongoing tweaking, ensures you will internalize your material, and have greater impact with listeners.

STORIES

Finally, STOP tell relevant stories. Facts and figures are sometimes necessary, but it’s vivid narrative that people remember. Create a story that resonates with your audience and weaves your data into an influential and compelling tale.

Your personal anecdotes, real-life examples, and relatable scenarios will make your presentation memorable.

With these simple changes, you’ll craft impactful presentations, boost your confidence and leave your audience dazzled.

So, STOP sabotaging yourself and start becoming the effective, captivating presenter you are meant to be. You’ve got this!

SPEED UP YOUR STORY DEVELOPMENT TIME

In light of today’s post, I’m excited to share a new product that’s going to forever change the way you create your stories. We’re gearing up to launch something special — a toolkit designed to transform your storytelling experience from one of drawn-out frustration, to a fun and focused, experience that enables you to create high-impact and engaging narratives for your audience.

Keep an eye open for upcoming details.