6 mistakes to avoid when speaking in public

Public speaking can be one of the biggest professional challenges, and even with all the preparation in the world, there are some mistakes we make without realizing it.

Over the years, I have noticed some patterns in the speeches of both beginners and experienced speakers.

However, by avoiding them, we can transform our presentations, making them more captivating and efficient.

Below, I’ll share the top six mistakes we should avoid when speaking in public. Let’s get to it!

1. Lack of Adequate Preparation

Preparation is the foundation of any successful presentation. Many people think they can “wing it,” but this is a big mistake when it comes to public speaking.

Lack of planning results in disorganized and disjointed speech. Even if you have mastered the subject, organizing your ideas is essential to conveying clarity.

A survey of the Harvard Business Review showed that 70% of professionals who prepare adequately are able to engage the public more effectively.

This is because preparation gives you confidence and reduces anxiety. I always recommend: study your audience, organize your ideas into topics, and practice a lot.

Remember that improvisation is the result of a lot of practice.

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2. Mistakes to avoid when speaking in public: Ignore Body Language

When we speak in public, our bodies speak as much as our words. Many people focus so much on the verbal content that they forget the importance of posture, gestures and eye contact.

The lack of good body language can give off an image of disinterest or nervousness, something we definitely don't want.

Studies show that 55% of our communication is nonverbal. This includes gestures, facial expressions and posture.

To avoid this mistake, maintain an upright but relaxed posture and make eye contact with your audience.

Don't overdo the gestures, but use them naturally to reinforce your words.

A practical tip that I often use is to record myself practicing. This way, I can see if my gestures are aligned with the content I am transmitting.

3. Speaking Too Fast or Too Slow

The speed of speech is a factor that can make or break a presentation.

Speaking too quickly can make it hard for your audience to follow your ideas, while speaking too slowly can make them lose interest. Finding the right pace when speaking in public is an art.

According to a study by American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the ideal speaking speed for public presentations is between 140 and 160 words per minute.

This pace allows the audience to absorb the information without feeling like they are being bombarded, but without time to get distracted.

I always suggest practicing with a timer, adjusting your speaking speed until it feels comfortable and effective.

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4. Not Considering the Public

One of the biggest mistakes when speaking in public is forgetting who we are speaking to.

Every audience has different needs and expectations, and ignoring these can result in your message not being well received.

Talking to a group of executives is very different from talking to students, for example.

I always say that understanding your audience is half the battle. Before you give a presentation, ask yourself: what is their level of knowledge about the topic?

What are their interests? What solutions do they expect? Tailoring your pitch to these answers makes all the difference.

Personalization, in fact, is one of the points highlighted in a survey by TED Talks, which revealed that the most effective speakers adapt their content to their audience, increasing engagement by up to 30%.

5. Mistakes to avoid when speaking in public: Too Many Slides and Too Much Text

Another common mistake is relying too much on slides. Your slide deck should complement your talk, not be the main focus.

Using too many slides or filling your slides with text causes your audience to disconnect because they end up reading instead of paying attention to what you are saying.

I usually follow the rule of “one slide every three minutes” and with as little text as possible.

Images and graphics are more effective at reinforcing your message, while too much text can overwhelm your audience.

Remember: you are the center of the presentation, not your slides.

Additionally, using too many slides can also cause a phenomenon known as “death by PowerPoint,” which is when the audience loses interest due to the bombardment of visual information. Balance is key.

6. Mistakes to avoid when speaking in public: Lack of Breaks

Last but not least, not pausing is a mistake that compromises the clarity of your speech.

Many people are afraid to take breaks, thinking that it shows nervousness or a lack of mastery of the subject.

However, breaks are essential for the audience to have time to assimilate the information.

Pausing between sentences or important points creates suspense and keeps your audience's attention. A well-timed pause can have as much of an impact as the words themselves.

I suggest practicing inserting strategic pauses during your speech, especially after key points.

Additionally, pauses also help regulate your breathing, better controlling anxiety and ensuring clearer, more natural speech.

Conclusion

Public speaking requires more than just knowledge of the subject. It takes planning, practice, and attention to detail.

By avoiding these six mistakes, your presentations will be much more effective and engaging. Remember, communicating well is a skill that can be learned and improved over time.

As Mark Twain said, “There are two kinds of speakers: nervous ones and liars.” We all face challenges when speaking in public, but with preparation and practice, these challenges can be overcome.

And you, are you ready for your next presentation?

With these steps, it will certainly be easier to win over the public and make each speech an opportunity to stand out.

References

• Harvard Business Review. (2022). “The Power of Preparation: How to Engage Your Audience.”
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2021). “Optimal Speaking Rate for Effective Communication.”
• TED Talks. (2023). “The Key to Engaging Public Speaking: Know Your Audience.”

Nara Sampaio

SEO writer, digital content creator, and virtual assistant. An introvert who found in writing a way to express herself and share knowledge!

October 11, 2024