In the last article, we learned that reading from slides, speaking in a monotone voice, and cramming slides with information are just a few of the Presentation Killers committed my millions every day in corporate America. Heres the second half of the Top 10 WORST Things Presenter Do:

6. Keep their back to the audience. Well this is an easy one to fixQUIT READING FROM YOUR SLIDES and just talk to your audience. Put away the crazy laser pointers too. I dont know who thought it would be a good idea to give a nervous and shaky person a tiny light that they have to turn around to point with, but they obviously didnt teach presentation skills! If you must point something out, move to the side of the screen and use your hand or a pointer. I found a great extender fork that I often use for a pointer and it keeps peoples attention. (I think theyre afraid that I might poke them with it.)

7. Fidget with pens, jewelry or other items in hand. At times I believe people are having an out of body experience while they stand and present. I have watched a man jingle change in his pocket for 45 minutes as he spoke and I have seen people practically molest a podium while standing behind it, all because their brain was so focused on what they were saying, they didnt realize what their body was doing. Minimize the risk of fidgeting by removing objects from your pockets, bungee badges from your waist, and clicking pens within a 5 mile radius. I love using a presentation remote to change my slides, which frees me to walk around as well as gives me something to hold in my handand if you fidget with the remotewell, your slides will turn faster and your audience will be grateful for your brevity.

8. Speak too softlyespecially when presenting to virtual audience. I dont know why people squint their eyes when they are trying to hear someone who is speaking softly, but that is great visual feedback for the person speaking like a librarian. Over the phone, you have a whole different challenge. You cant see their eyes squinting. The audience has already pushed their volume button up as far as it goes and they are laying their ears directly on the speaker. The challenge is most people use their inside voice all day at work and they were taught in school to save their outside voice for recess. Well its time to reawaken those vocal muscles and learn to project your voice to be heard loud and strong during presentations! Practice in your car (with your windows rolled up if you are shy), by projecting with volume and through your diaphragm (belly)go ahead try it. Yell, I AM A LOUD TALKER. EVERYONE CAN HEAR MY VOICE!

9. Stand in one spot. Keep in mind, if people dont have to move their heads from side to side, they will move them up and down (as in a big head bob as they fall asleep). Movement is the animation for your voice. The room is your stage. Look around and find spots to move into your audience and make a connection. If you are using a presentation remote, you wont have to worry about being anchored to your laptop either.

10. Look at the floor, ceiling or one person instead of the entire audience. Eye contact is a very critical component to audience engagement. Nervous people either lock their eyes on one person or the floor. Poor presenters keep their eyes on the screen as they read their slides. Great presenters make a connection with each of the people in their audienceor at least each person thinks the presenter has connected with them. Try and stay 2-3 seconds with each person, or use the rule of thumb of finishing a sentence or thought on each person before moving to the next. Dont leave out the poor people on the sides. Before you begin, look around the room and see where people will be sitting. Tell yourself to be sure and connect with each person to keep them engaged.

(c) 2007 Gina Schreck is the president of Pinnacle Achievement and she is on a mission to rid the world of BORING presentations. If you would like more information or coaching for yourself or your teams on making Presentations That Sizzle, contact Gina Schreck at Gina@AchieveWithPinnacle.com or call 1-877-978-0887. But please, please, QUIT PUTTING PEOPLE TO SLEEP!

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