How To Improve the Performance of Your Presentations

The tips are intentionally left out of any order or sequence criteria. This is due to the fact that these tips may vary in priority according to the place where the presentation occurs and also because it helps to remember them regardless of order. You have to keep in mind we are pointing out infractions! So, we want to stress the need to avoid doing the following items during a presentation.

1. Do not look only at the participant(s) who are asking questions or involved in the discussion.
2. Do not look at only some of the participant(s).
3. Do not look just to the person that has asked a question.
4. Do not stay tied to just one spot of the room.
5. Do not only address the person in power.
6. Do not look frequently at the ceiling.
7. Do not look frequently at the floor.
8. Do not stare off at some point outside the room.
9. Do not look too frequently at your watch, in a perceptible way.
10. Do not use slang and bad words, or inadequates.
11. Do not use regional or professional words that can be unknown by most of the people.
12. Do not speak too low.
13. Do not speak too loud.
14. Do not continue speaking in the same tone when turning to the blackboard or visual. (You need to speak up so they can hear you.)
15. Do not speak monotonously or without enthusiasm.
16. Do not speak too quickly.
17. Do not speak too slowly.
18. Do not repeat the same words and/or sentences frequently.
19. Do not repeat hand gestures again and again.
20. Do not walk without moving ("dancing").
21. Do not walk around exaggeratedly ("jailed lion").
22. Do not pronounce cacoëthes ("ok", etc).
23. Do not frequently repeat a single word ("Basically", etc).
24. Do not forget to stress the presentation importance for that particular audience.
25. Do not forget to ask questions.
26. Do not forget to give a chance for questions.
27. Do not forget to profit from the audience experience on the matter.
28. Do not keep your hands in your pockets.
29. Do not have "frozen arms" (they never go below the waist).
30. Do not use the pointer device as a sword ("fencer").
31. Do not keep pens, brushes, etc, on hands but never use them.
32. Do not wear sun glasses that make it difficult to have visual contact.
33. Do not dress too elegantly.
34. Do not dress too poorly.
35. Do not close the class giving no chance for questions.
36. Do not be aggressive to the group or individual.
37. Do not begin answers with: "As I said before...", or "It's obvious..."
38. Do not use "I" and "You" instead of "We."
39. Do not play with clips, etc., on hands.
40. Playing with coins, etc, in the pockets.
41. Do not postpone an answer, even if it's in a due sequence.
42. Do not forget to explain the objectives/topics at the very start.
43. Do not forget to inform the audience of the session duration.
44. Do not exceed the estimated duration time, and give no explanation to the group.
45. Do not keep the presentation going as if nothing had happened, when one opens the door to call for a participant.
46. Do not start answering when a person is still formulating a question.
47. Do not use visuals with too much information.
48. Do not use illegible visuals.
49. Do not read the printed words of the visuals.
50. Do not use excessive audiovisuals.