10 Words or Phrases to Avoid During Presentations
Slides check. Bullet points check. Videos check. Animation check.
Your words. uncheck. Oops, did you do it again? Haven’t we all goofed up great looking presentations with our words or phrases? No matter how good looking your presentation is, there are certain dos and don’ts when it comes to presenting your PPTs. Here is a list of 10 words or phrases that are a complete no-no during your presentation.
I am nervous to be on stage
This is the worst possible start to your presentation. If you’re nervous to be on the stage then maybe you shouldn’t be there in the first place. Give someone else a chance who’d do a better job. Yes, everyone is nervous while presenting, even if you’re a Steve Jobs. The important thing is not to let it show or you’ve already lost half the battle or the audience in this case.
OK is not so OK
Using filler words like um, er, Ok is not a very good idea. On the contrary, they may damage your presentation and reputation as these words do not add value. Plus, you’ll come across as an unsure presenter who does not know his facts or figures.
Sorry will not do the trick
There’s no harm in saying sorry but it’s not an advisable tip during presentations. That’s because the audience might not take you as a confident speaker so unless you have addressed Donald Trump as Hillary Clinton, we suggest you to keep the sorry word out.
I’ve never done this before
So had many great public speakers before you. By uttering this, you are simply not giving confidence to the audience that has come to watch your presentation and add value for them. Remember, there’s always a first time for everything and the good news is that you can rehearse and practice till you go all guns blazing on the stage.
Can you hear?
Tsk, well if you ask such questions, you’ve got the basics of a presentation wrong. The fact of the matter is that you should have done the mic testing and sound check before and not during the presentation. Asking such questions is not really music to the audience’s ears.
Disrupt words like disruption, innovation and outside-the-box jargon
Jargons were in at one point of time but brands and people don’t talk like that anymore. Why write leverage when you can write use? Why use words like bandwidth when you can write available. Presentations are not about presenting but getting a conversation started but jargons kill a conversation.
Well one word or website you should always log on to have your presentation created is Fully Decked Up. It creates delightful slideshows and presentations by using imaginative storytelling and design.