Denise Vorraber 7 mistakes you shouldn't make on stage

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Presenting Like a Pro: The 7 Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make On Stage

Learning how to conquer the stage and deliver a compelling presentation is an essential skill. The ability to present effectively can make or break your career, business, or idea. The good news is that you can drastically improve your presentation by avoiding these seven common mistakes.

1. Having No Goal

Before you step onto the stage, you should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Each presentation should serve a specific purpose and lead towards a certain goal, whether it's persuading your audience to buy a product or imparting knowledge. Amazon's CEO, Jeff Bezos, even insists his project managers write a press release before they start a new project to clarify their vision and goals!

2. Ignoring your "Why"

Passion drives people, and if you fail to transmit your passion to your audience, you risk losing their attention. A key part of your presentation should always focus on explaining why you are there and what drives you. Audiences are far more likely to engage with a presenter who is genuinely passionate about their topic.

3. Not Practicing Enough

Practice is the key to a successful presentation. There is no shortcut. You don't just practice the content, but also the delivery of your presentation. Pay attention to your body language, tone of voice, and overall delivery style.

4. Failing to Be Authentic

Authenticity is highly engaging. People are more responsive and receptive to a presenter who remains true to their personality and style on stage. Always remember, people are there to see you, so don’t be afraid to show them who you are.

5. Giving Into Nerves

It’s only natural to feel nervous before a presentation, but this doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to manage it. One of the most effective ways to reduce nerves is to change your mindset about public speaking, from a feared task to an exciting opportunity.

Another practical tip is to practice high-power poses. These poses are meant to make you feel larger and more confident, they are proven to reduce stress and increase confidence.

6. Not Familiarizing Yourself with the Venue

To create an atmosphere where you feel comfortable, familiarize yourself with the environment that you'll be presenting in. Whether it's an online venue or a physical stage, try out the equipment, visualise yourself on stage and clarify any doubt concerning the setup.

7. Ineffective Slides

Visual aids like slides should complement your presentation; they shouldn't be the main focus. Slides that are overly packed with information can become a distraction causing you to lose your audience’s attention. So, keep it simple and visually appealing.

In conclusion, being a standout presenter is about more than just the content you deliver. It's about how you channel your passion, how much you've practised, and how effectively you manage your nerves. Keep things simple, be yourself, and you'll become a more effective and engaging presenter in no time.

The most significant step you can take is to just get started, as quoted by George Dyer, "everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear."


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