After many years of studying how people make their presentations, I’ve uncovered in my mind, the top 5 sins which many people commit when making presentations. Avoid them at all costs!

1. Starting like a caged mouse

Many presenters begin with a polite, “How is everyone” or “Thank you for giving me this opportunity” Rather trite, don’t you think? I am not saying that you should be rude. What I am saying is to get the formalities out of the way as quickly as possible and start with a bang not a whimper like a caged mouse. Give the audience a startling statistic, an “in your face” statement, an interesting quote, a news headline . . . something powerful that will grab their attention immediately!

2. Failing to “feel” your audience

If you fail to take advantage of the time before your presentation, you have lost a window of opportunity to enhance your credibility with your listeners. You should always arrive early to greet your audience prior to your presentation. Of course you would do this at your own functions. But when you are presenting to strangers, make it a point to “feel them ” – don’t arrive two minutes before your speech and leave immediately after it. Your audience wants to meet you, know you and understand the person behind that presentation. Give them this opportunity and you will connect with the audience better.

3. Making a presentation word for word from a prepared script

Can you recall when was the last time someone actually read to you? I bet it must have either been your Mother or Father and she/he was trying to get you to sleep! Instead of reading through a prepared script during your presentations, use a “keyword” outline. These keywords will prompt complete thoughts as you speak. Look down at the keyword, look into the eyes of the audience – then speak.

4. Speaking on a subject without passion

You want your audience to do something as a result of your presentation. Whatever you want them to do, there is a better chance that they will do it if you show that you are passionate about your subject. An added benefit is that your fears will dissipate when you are truly excited about your subject matter. Speak with passion . . . and you will inspire others.

5. Failing to adequately prepare

This is the mother of all cardinal presentation sins. It is amazing how many executives will take the stage without adequately preparing. They may have someone else prepare their slides and script for their presentation without their input. They may write their own rambling presentation that has no organization or purpose. Once on the stage, they fumble for their notes, they pause for a long time trying to remember what to say or they even go off tangent of what they are supposed to present. Don’t let this happen to you. You will lose credibility and worse become a laughing stock. Always PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE.

The good news is that these common presentation sins are easy to avoid if you recognize them. I am not saying that if you don’t commit the above sins, you would become a fantastic presenter, but rather, you will be much better off compared to most who refuse to make the effort to make adjustments to their presentations.