STOP! You’re Doing This One Thing Wrong in Your Presentations! (FIX IT NOW)
Public speaking can be daunting, even for experienced professionals. You spend hours preparing your content, rehearsing your delivery, and ensuring your slides are polished. But despite all your hard work, something isn’t landing. Your audience looks distracted, engagement is low, and your message isn’t having the impact you envisioned. The reason? You’re focusing too much on information and not enough on connection.
The Biggest Presentation Mistake: Information Overload
Many speakers believe that the key to a successful presentation is cramming in as much information as possible. They assume that if they provide extensive details, statistics, and lengthy explanations, their audience will be impressed. In reality, too much information leads to cognitive overload—your audience tunes out because they simply can’t process it all.
A Common Scenario: The Data Dump Disaster
Imagine this: You’re attending a business conference. A presenter walks onto the stage and immediately dives into a 50-slide deck filled with dense text and endless bullet points. They speak rapidly, trying to cover every possible detail. Ten minutes in, you’re struggling to keep up, your mind wanders, and you start checking your phone. Sound familiar?
This is a classic example of information overload. The speaker is so focused on delivering knowledge that they forget to create an engaging experience for their audience.
Why This Mistake Happens
This over-reliance on excessive detail stems from three key beliefs:
Fear of leaving something out – Many speakers worry they’ll be seen as unprepared if they don’t cover every detail.
Desire to showcase expertise – Presenters want to prove they are knowledgeable, so they pack in as much information as possible.
Lack of audience awareness – Speakers often prepare their content in isolation, without considering how it will be received.
How to Fix It: Engage, Simplify, and Connect
If you’re guilty of this common mistake, don’t worry—there are simple yet powerful ways to transform your presentations from overwhelming to impactful.
1. Focus on the Core Message
Before you start designing slides or rehearsing your talk, ask yourself:
What is the ONE key idea I want my audience to remember?
How can I express this idea in the simplest and most compelling way?
Instead of overwhelming your audience with excessive detail, focus on delivering one clear, memorable takeaway.
2. The Power of Storytelling
People remember stories far more than they remember data. If you need to present statistics, wrap them in a narrative. For example, instead of saying, ‘60% of employees feel disengaged at work’, tell a story:
‘Meet Sarah. She’s been in her job for five years, but lately, she’s feeling unmotivated and disconnected. She’s not alone—60% of employees feel just like her. But what if companies could change that?’
By making data relatable, you help your audience connect emotionally.
3. Cut the Clutter – The 10-20-30 Rule
A simple rule to avoid overcrowding your presentation is the 10-20-30 rule:
No more than 10 slides
Speak for no more than 20 minutes
Use at least 30-point font (to prevent excessive text on slides)
This method keeps your message sharp, concise, and visually appealing.
4. Speak to Your Audience, Not at Them
Engagement isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how you involve your audience.
Ask thought-provoking questions: “How many of you have faced this challenge before?”
Use eye contact to create connection.
Pause for effect—don’t rush through your points.
Invite participation—even a simple show of hands can make a difference.
5. Make Your Slides Work for You, Not Against You
Your slides should be a visual aid, not a script. If your audience can read your slides without listening to you, they’ll do exactly that. Instead: ✅ Use high-quality images and minimal text. ✅ Highlight one key message per slide. ✅ Avoid reading slides word-for-word—let your spoken words add value.
Practical Exercise: The 60-Second Challenge
To refine your message, try this exercise:
Write down your entire presentation.
Now, summarise it in one minute.
Cut out unnecessary details and focus only on what truly matters.
This exercise forces you to clarify your message and remove anything that doesn’t serve your audience.
Final Thoughts: Less is More
When it comes to presentations, clarity trumps complexity. Your audience doesn’t need every detail—you are there to guide them, inspire them, and make your message stick. By simplifying your content, engaging your listeners, and focusing on connection over information overload, you will transform your public speaking skills and leave a lasting impact.
Take Your Speaking Skills to the Next Level
If you want to master the art of impactful presentations and boost your confidence as a speaker, personalised coaching can accelerate your progress.
I offer 6-session coaching programmes (6 x 60-minute sessions via Zoom, £950) designed to help professionals like you refine your delivery, engage audiences, and communicate with confidence. Plus, you’ll receive a free copy of my ebook, How to Unfck Your Mindset for Public Speaking,* and the option to record your sessions for lifelong access.
Ready to level up your speaking skills? Let’s have a quick chat to see how we can tailor the coaching to your needs. Book your free consultation here.
Your audience is waiting—let’s make sure they remember you for the right reasons!
