How to Give a Bad Presentation

Most of us have sat through a dull, boring, and confusing presentation at some point. You probably found yourself dozing off, constantly checking your watch, or even scrolling through your phone just to pass the time. The fact is, even the best presentation can flop if you make a few common mistakes. A poorly delivered presentation can leave audiences feeling irritated and frustrated, and this is certainly not the impression you want to make. So, how do you ensure your presentation isn’t a total failure? Take a look at these common mistakes presenters give when making presentations and make sure to avoid them!

Not Preparing Enough

A great speaker makes their speeches look effortless, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t put in hours of preparation beforehand. Careful preparation is essential for delivering a successful presentation. Preparation involves attention to both the content and the delivery of the presentation. You need to make sure the content of your presentation has a clear purpose, is well-organized, and is easy to follow. You also need to prepare the delivery of your presentation by rehearsing, addressing body language, practicing voice inflection, and of course making sure you dress appropriately.  If you walk into a presentation unprepared, the audience will surely take notice. 

Starting with a Poor Introduction

The introduction of your presentation is critical because this is your opportunity to hook your audience. Unfortunately, many speakers pay little attention to their into and bomb it right from the start. Never start by saying your name and what you will be talking about. This is boring and will set the tone for a boring presentation. You also never want to start with an apology. If your equipment malfunctions, you are running late, you forgot your materials, or any other problem occurs, avoid mentioning it and remain cool under pressure. 

Reading Instead of Speaking

There is nothing worse than a presenter who reads from a script or from slides. The goal of a presentation is to make a connection between you and the audience. You want each person to feel like you are speaking to them and you want them to have confidence that you are knowledgeable about the topic. However, that connection and credibility goes right out the window when your eyes drop and you begin reading in a monotone voice from slides or notecards. 

Poor Use of Visuals

Visuals are intended to enhance your presentation, not distract from it. Avoid overcrowded, text heavy slides that are packed with information and small text. Stay away from cheesy clip art, distracting animations, or irritating transitions. This is not only distracting to your audience, but it makes your slideshow appear unprofessional. Your slides should be simple, consistent, and easy to see. They should include less text and only relevant and quality images. 

Not Speaking Loud and Clear

Your voice is your primary means of communication with your audience. No matter how interesting your material may be, if you don’t speak loud and clear you will lose your audience. In addition to projecting your voice, you want to pay close attention to your tone and inflection. Avoid speaking in a monotone voice and practice using inflection to make your voice more interesting. 

Avoiding Eye Contact

The worst thing a speaker can do is spend the entire time looking at their notes, slides, or the floor. Eye contact is extremely important for connecting with your audience and a simple glance is enough to keep people engaged. Be sure to practice eye contact when rehearsing and strive to maintain eye contact throughout your presentation. 

Failure to Work Out Technical Issues

Technology is great but as we all know, it doesn’t always work as planned. It is very likely that you will encounter some sort of technical glitch if you don’t prepare in advance. If possible, visit the venue in advance and test out the computer, projector, remote, microphone, lighting, and all other audiovisual equipment ahead of time. You want to avoid any mishaps on the day of your presentation. 

Trying to Cram Too Much Material in Too Little Time

Always be mindful of how long you have to present and plan your presentation accordingly. It is best to choose a main topic for your presentation and then no more than three or four supporting topics. This ensures that your audience will not feel overwhelmed with too much information. By restricting the amount of information you present, you will have a greater impact on your audience and increase the likelihood that they will retain the information. This will also help you avoid going over your allotted time.