The presentation style and language used in putting over your speech will depend on many different factors; who are your listeners, your style of speaking and the subject you are speaking on. There is not a one size fits all. However, there are a few general rules that apply in each speaking engagement regarding actions or attitudes to avoid:

1. Talking Down To Your Listeners

An audience will quickly sense when you are speaking down to them with an air of superiority. They will quickly resent you and your speech. No one likes being patronized or spoken down to. The usual politeness that an audience normally shows to a speaker quickly disappears.

2. Talking Up To Your listeners

Your audience will quickly sense any "inferior behavior" and decide that it is not sincere. As soon as they catch on to this you are through. In most circumstances the most effective way to deliver is to communicate in a conversational style as heard between people that mutually respect each other.

3. Taking Yourself Too seriously

Never consider yourself or your subject as being so serious that you can't let in humor. A little humor is all that required, in much the same way that humor is weaved into ordinary conversation and written communication. It will brighten up your talk and your listeners will remember it longer.

4. Imitating Other Speakers

Try to avoid imitating a speaker and their style. It can lead to embarrassing consequences. It is good practice to observe great speakers and use them as a model to improve your own performance. But add your own style to what you have learnt.

5. Using Clich's

Don't fill your speech with clichs. Using clichs gives the audience the impression that you lack creativity and originality. Instead use an adage or a colloquial saying.

6. Being Unprepared

The easiest way to lose your audience is to be unprepared. They will quickly work it out and you will lose them as you stumble through your speech or by reading it word for word and avoiding eye contact with the audience. Preparation does take some work but the rewards of a well prepared speech are worth it for you and your audience. You will be more confident and more effective. Also your audience will enjoy it more.

Public speaking is about effectively communicating your ideas and message to the audience. Critical to that success is connecting with them. The mistakes described here will get in the way of that connection. A little time and energy is all that is required to address them. If you are unsure that you make any of these errors, ask for feedback from a trusted source.

By fixing these mistakes you can avoid destroying a good platform performance. With a little effort the mistakes can all me quickly removed from your delivery. Your effectiveness in public speaking will increase as a result.

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