You have prepared and rehearsed the presentation. You ARE the subject matter expert and the meeting planner who hired you is very excited to have you on the itinerary. However, in a blink of the eye, you can blow it, by doing one or more of the six items listed below. Items you possibly never even BEGAN to think about. So here goes, my first ever:

Great Speakers Stupid List – Volume 1.

#1: Your badge or nametag is visible

Maybe part of your compensation package for speaking is the ability to attend the conference and networking events for free. And while most great speakers will take advantage of this offering (and I suggest they do), when you go up on stage with that badge or nametag on, it signals to the audience you are simply another attendee.

You know what looks bad in photos and on the jumbo-trons if they are recording you? Answer: your badge! It reflects the light perfectly wrong. Have your backstage gal or guy make sure to lift that badge off your neck or rip the nametag off your collar. Look and act like a professional. And you won’t have to look down 15 minutes later and say to yourself “What is that doing there?”

#2: Your fly is unzipped, shirt is untucked or lipstick is on your teeth

I still get butterflies before any speaking engagement. (This makes us human). You are going over your presentation in your head because  you want to deliver it with a bang. However, in all the worry about your punch, you forgot the little things – like making sure everything is “buttoned up”.

Hit the facilities and check the mirror a few moments ahead of time. Or, ask the backstage person next to you; “How do I look?”  Smile at them to make certain your lipstick isn’t bleeding or you have something in your teeth, your nose, or your hair.  Better now, than see it in the photos. Once, I did an entire presentation with my suit pocket completely inside out. And there I was  . . . looking stupid for a hour.

Things you probably didn’t think about.

• Check your pockets for bulges. I talking phones, big wallets, makeup, power bars, water bottles or anything else that makes us want to ask the question – What is that odd . . . ahem?
• That your microphone pack isn’t about to fall off your belt or other strap. What is that thing hanging off his backside?
• That the microphone (lapel) didn’t fall from it’s secured location. CAN’T HEAR YOU!
• Are your slides the next up on the machine and does the clicker work. Next slide please. I mean the other next slide . . . ummm. 

#3: Your message is in PowerPoint, not in YOU

I recently attended a conference where a presenter was having a really hard time advancing the slides, due to some sort of difficulty with the equipment. (We’ve all been there). Rather than abandon the PowerPoint all together and keep on message, she said after every slide, “Walter, can you help? I need to move to the next slide.” Each time there was a long pause between slide advancements. Because this process was so disruptive, many attendees walked out during her talk which through her further into a spin.

Know your material and don’t be married to your PowerPoint. If something goes wrong, go dark on the screen and be that inspirational speaker you know you are. YOU are the presentation, not some stupid PowerPoint. (You should also check out my category here of “What To Do When . . . ” of other speaker nightmare occurences.)

#4: You tell no stories

Storytelling is a powerful presentation tool because audience members can relate to and love stories. Think about your own children. Wasn’t one of the best times together when you were telling them a story?

Neuroscience has proven that an audience retains information best when we connect it to an emotion.  How do we convey emotion? Through effective use of stories.

Deliver your story on a personal level, that will also relate on a professional level. Share this with sincerity, transparency and conviction, and you will be able to hear a pin drop. Attendees will be telling your story to others who were not at the conference. But remember that starfish story? Only use that if you are after certain demise!

#5: You go on and on and on….

Less can be more. No surprise, but the the people at TED are onto something. No matter the subject or celebrity star, you have 18 minutes to deliver your message. And just to make sure you understand this time limit, there is a large countdown clock facing you that starts the moment you open your mouth. While every message might not work out to be quite that short, there is no doubt that a short, story-filled message can have a lot of impact.

In the book Boring Meetings Suck, I share that most meetings could be cut short as people talk to the length of a meeting. Are you “filling” time on stage? Or, are you making an impact with that time?

#6: You whiz in and out

You are busy and you come into the meeting room with a full 20 minutes to spare. The problem is your presentation isn’t compatible with the hardware and your mic isn’t working properly. You have not given yourself enough time to test everything and have a back-up plan, just in case. If audio, video or graphics is important to your presentation, (which your answer should be: “It’s critical”) then shame on you. Ever hear of sound checks? Those aren’t only for big touring bands. It also for the banquet room at the end of the hall.

Be the first in the room. Come in 1-2 hours early if you have to sound check and come back later. Find out in advance what sort of presentation equipment is available and what mic system you will be using, or bring your own. Don’t wear a sweater if the the mic is a lapel/ lavaliere and don’t assume the computer attached to the presentation system has a CD drive, internet access or will have the fonts you used in your PowerPoint. (See this video on fonts in a presentation) Ask questions before hand and be fully prepared for anything – and I mean ANYTHING. Because if you want it perfect – then don’t do it live. Now go be a great speaker, not an idiot! 🙂

About Jon Petz

Jon Petz is a funny motivational speaker. He delivers an impactful message that is high energy, highly engaging and full of impactful stories. Engage your audience with a great motivational speaker. Contact him directly at (614) 456-3072 to discuss your upcoming event!