6 Good Reasons Why Reading Your Presentation is Not a Very Good Idea (Part 1). - 2008-08-07
Have you ever attended a conference or workshop and the presenter reads his PowerPoint presentation to you? How did you feel? Bored? Put out? Did you feel like he was wasting YOUR time? Did you learn anything?
If you're a nervous or anxious presenter, you may think reading is a quick and dirty way to get it 'over with'. Trust me, it's not.
Here is part one of our 6 Good Reasons Why Reading Your Speech or Presentation is Not a Very Good Idea.
1. You'll bug the heck out of your audience. They're thinking "Stop wasting my time, I can read'. They came to hear your thoughts and experiences. Take the time to teach not read.
2. When we communicate, 80 % of all meaning is nonverbal. When you read your speech or PowerPoint slides you're stiff, your voice is monotone and your speech rate is too rapid. You lose all your enthusiasm. You're audience will fall asleep.
3. The vocabulary we use when we speak about something is very different from the vocabulary we use when we write about it. If you're reading a script, the vocabulary is probably too technical. You run the risk of losing newbies or English as a second language listener. Business language is also difficult to read.
Stay tuned for Part 2.
Consider hiring a Business Communication Specialist to help you outline and rehearse your speech. You'll gain confidence and professionalism. Who knows, you may even learn to LIKE public speaking!
Please contact us with your comments or questions about improving your business communication skills or how our accent reduction programs can help you be more successful.
Don Harris, MS, CCC-SLP
Certified Speech Language Pathologist
Business Communication Coach
www.SpeakingSuccessfully.com
