At the start of a new year, many people make resolutions to improve their personal and professional lives. One area that could use improvement is presentations. As we head into 2023, it’s time to break some bad habits and start presenting like a pro. Here are five habits to kick this year:
Over-reliance on Bullet Points
Bullet points can be a useful tool in presentations, but they’re often overused. When you have too many bullet points, your audience can become bored and disengaged. Instead, try using more visuals, such as graphs or diagrams, to convey your message.
Reading from Slides
Reading from your slides is a surefire way to lose your audience’s attention. They’re there to hear what you have to say, not to read along with you. Instead, use your slides as a visual aid to support your message. Practice your presentation beforehand so that you’re familiar with the material and can speak naturally.
Lack of Preparation
Presentations require preparation. You need to know your material, understand your audience, and have a clear message. Without these elements, your presentation will fall flat. Take the time to prepare properly and you’ll deliver a more effective presentation design.
Overuse of Jargon
Jargon can be a valuable tool for communicating with colleagues in your industry, but it can alienate others who are unfamiliar with the terminology. Use jargon sparingly and explain any technical terms you use. This will help ensure that everyone in your audience can follow your presentation.
Failure to Engage with the Audience
Your audience is there to learn from you, but they’re also there to engage with you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, encourage discussion, or invite feedback. This will help create a more interactive presentation and keep your audience engaged.
By breaking these five habits, you’ll be well on your way to delivering more effective and engaging presentations or a pitch deck in 2023. We hope that you find this article helpful and informative.