5 Phrases You Never Want To Hear In A Presentation
Giving good presentations is hard. Public speaking is a true skill that you can develop over time; a combination of art and science. Thinking about my upcoming presentation in May for SOBCon 07 - The Relationship Bloggers’ Conference, I can’t help but hone in on those words I know don’t belong.
- MAKE SOME NOISE!!! Unless you’re at the MTV Music Awards this isn’t much of a crowd pleaser. The key point is this: Know Thy Audience. Your audience should dictate your style, approach, the words you use, etc. If you can’t modify your pitch to your audience you’ll turn people off quicker than you can say…
- Um… The dreaded “um” is so commonplace in our speech we often overlook it. But when you’re standing in front of a crowd, selling ‘em whatever you’re selling ‘em (and don’t be mistaken: you ARE selling) too many “ums” shows a lack of preparedness and comfort.
- Did That Make Sense? Actually, it didn’t. And on top of that, because you had to ask me I’m so disengaged at this point that I’ve started playing a game on my BlackBerry. The key here: Practice. Do it in front of a mirror. Do it in the shower. Do it in front of others. Do it in public. If you present in front of friends and family who aren’t in your field of expertise and they get it, you’ve got yourself a winner.
- What Else Can I Show You? I don’t know, you tell me, that’s why you’re standing up there on the stage and I’m sitting here eagerly in the crowd. Presentations are stories - they need a beginning, middle and end. It doesn’t matter the setting, format or style of presentation/conference/meeting. If you’re standing in front of people and telling them something, you’re spinning a story. And that means it needs all the elements of a good one.
- I Guess That’s It. Well is that the end or not? You would know better than me. Blog professionals often talk about ending strongly, and the same holds true when giving a presentation. Even saying, “That’s the end” is kind of lame - your final point (and the entire presentation arc) should make it obvious enough, and you should be able to transition instantly into the next step - be it questions, slinking off the stage, hours of clapping…
So, I guess that’s it.
Kidding.
Public speaking is the sort of thing that makes grown men cry, and buckles people to their knees. We all know it’s daunting, which is all the more reason to master the 4 Ps of Presentations:
- Prepare. You might not need a word-for-word script, but prepare something. Make sure your story is compelling, entertaining and worth listening to.
- Practice. You need to practice. Even veteran presenters practice. Make sure you at least read it out loud a few times to develop a good rhythm.
- Pronunciate. You need to speak clearly. There’s no room for mumbling in a presentation. Let me toss another P in there - Project. Speak clearly and firmly to get your point across.
- Participate. You should always try to engage your audience. The sooner they feel like they’re part of what you’re doing, the better.
Great stuff Ben. I fully agree.
Nothing beats a great presentation, except some QT with the girlfriend*.
*(you never know what she’ll be reading)
I don’t know, I might think “Make Some Noice” would work at SOBCon07. I could be wrong…
Had me laughing and really entertained..
And I instantly connected to the one with the “I Guess That’s It”. Last time I used it, it took ‘em about 5 seconds to realize it it was really “it” and clap a little as I dragged myself off stage.
Now I know better, and I’m going to take all those points in consideration in my upcoming speech.
Thanks alot!
I think these 5 things are all symptoms of bad presentation planning. If you don’t know exactly what you want convey and how you are going execute, the presentations looks thrown together, unprofessional, and, worse of all, pointless.
Hey “pronunciate” is definitely not a word in the English language. Takes away from your know it all tone.
althought it doesn’t start with a “p”, it seems like another good rule would be to not make up words like “pronunciate”. . . i think the word you were thinking of is “enunciate”. . .
I think he was going for enunciate rather than pronunciate.
I’m glad someone else thinks “um” is as annoying as me. When you feel like saying “um” or “uh” - take a moment for a pause; it can be quite effective! If you practice this on a daily basis, it’s less difficult to remember not to say in a public speaking situation.
Pronunciate is a word.
Definition: to declare or pronounce.
If you look up pronounce the definition is “…to enunciate or articulate.”
Enunciate would have been a better word to use it looks like, but the 3 Ps and 1 E of Presentations wouldn’t have had quite the same oomph…
1 result for: pronunciate
Webster’s New Millennium™ Dictionary of English - Cite This Source
Main Entry: pronunciate
Part of Speech: v
Definition: to declare or pronounce
Usage: rare
Webster’s New Millennium™ Dictionary of English, Preview Edition (v 0.9.6)
Copyright © 2003-2006 Lexico Publishing Group, LLC
yeah, it is a word
look it up
“Pronunciate”
rofl helicopters…
For the know it alls who are sure that pronunciate is not a word, or that it’s not in the dictionary, check out http://www.dictionary.com, specifically: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pronunciate
I just had this vision of Bill Gates standing at the introduction of next version of Windows saying “um… Make Some Noise”
“Pronunciate” is a word, but it’s not part of standard English, and definitely not something looking well upon by prescriptive grammar pundits.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pronunciate
If you’re that deadset on ‘P’ just use PRONOUNCE
geezus.
And seriously, dictionary.reference.com is ghetto as well, cite it in the Oxford English Dictionary with the etymology (and even then that’s not a case for it being used in standard English, but at least it’d give your backing more weight).
Basically, the readers are right - hence /standard/ (and I should further qualify, /american/) english.
Prescriptively one of these sentences is “right” the other “wrong”:
I wish I were able to remember how to speak well in front of audiences.
I wish I was able to remember how to speak well in front of audiences.
In standard american english, the right & wrong sentence are flipped. It’s language change and evolution, but unless you’re a drunk, Homer Simspon, or making fun of idiots, ‘pronunciate’ is anything but standard american english.
One word for you. Toastmasters. These are EXACTLY the things that Toastmaters and speech pratice wil help you with. If you have the time consider looking up a local chapter in your area and joining. You will be a better presenter and a better speaker once you get some practice under your belt.
I would like to add the dreaded…
“So….”
It is used much to often that we don’t even realize it. Get it out of your vocabulary. Practice, practice, practice.
[…] 5 Phrases You Never Want to Hear in a Presentation — I’m totally guilty of #5, “I guess that’s it.” Yikes… and “um” too, I assume. […]
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Here’s a whole list of phrases and words I don’t ever want to hear in a presentation…
http://www.theaveragewhiteguy.com/2006/08/a-task-for-you-count-the-buzzwords/
How about my favorite in today’s society: “like.”
I think more people are replacing “um” with “like” and it drives me insane. I’ll take 50 “ums” in a row over 5 “likes.”
I reckon if you went onto Dragons Den and “used” all 5 phrases you would be pushed to get out alive
Another phrase to avoid is “I am sorry”
This is so completely true, and I totally agree. Great blog!
“The next slide says…” or
“What this slide is trying to say…”
Makes me want to throttle presenters. Is this not your content? If not your slides, why using them? If not your slides and want/have to use them, do the audience the courtesy of understanding them before you speak to them.
[…] read more | digg story […]
[…] read more | digg story […]
I’m not sure if this is universal, but where I come from, there’s an absolute overdose of “basically” in presentations.
“Basically, the reason for XYZ being so popular is because it works. Basically anything that works will be popular. XYZ works even better than ABC, so basically nobody goes for ABC anymore. Basically, ABC is outdated.”
oof.
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Yeah, the end (or finale) is as i find it the most crucial aspect of ending professionally. And yet its sooo wrongly done most of the time.
Well…geez…errr….I wanted to comment…but I um, not sure…what I should say here…aaah…..nice post and stuff….err….know what I mean?…ummm….guess that’s all really….what else can I say…umm…..make some noise?…..
Kumiko
xo
I agree you you 100% on this one. Another one I absolutely hate is corny jokes. If your not a comedian then please, don’t bother.
I cannot stand listening to a speaker ask the audience if what they were trying to say “made any sense”.
You have forgot the all-time-favourites clishes “like” and “you know.” It often gets to the point when you don’t listen to the speech but rather start counting how many times they said it.
*So, like, it was great and, like, you should have seen it; and he was like - “wow”…* etc.
Spot on. Too many presentations are spoilt by self-deprecation in an attempt to gain appeal, but you instead look like you don’t know your subject. A book I’ve been reading recently, “Life’s A Pitch” by Roger Mavity explains very well why this makes you look so terrible and gives some good advice, though it can be very easily summed up by the four (or five) P’s you list there.
Also, “I know it’s hard to see what’s going on with this slide…”
Don’t show it if the print is too small or graphs confusing.
[…] things never to say in a presentation and 5 tips you should follow instead.read more | digg […]
What is it with this trend in stating the bloody obvious?
Here’s my input: *5 Things Not to Eat*
1. Concrete
2. Your computer
3. Tyres
4. Rat poison
5. Another person
Here’s one of my pet peeves. I had this just yesterday:
“Are there any questions?”
[Silence]
“No questions? I guess you all know it inside and out, then!”
[No, we’re just bored to tears and want out of here. There will be plenty of questions once we get in and start working on the project, but a Powerpoint presentation doesn’t teach us to do squat.]
Excellent post!
“Life’s A Pitch” by Roger Mavity sounds like an interesting read.
I completely agree with Tim about the question, “Are there any questions?”
[Silence]
“No questions? I guess you all know it inside and out, then!”
I can’t stand it when professors or bosses say something like that.
[…] source […]
I agree with “Basically”
Another, “You know what I’m saying”
another, “It’s like ……”, “And then she’s like……”
The latest annoying, content free statement:
I mean, you know…
This one may also be reversed!
You know, I mean…
[…] 5 Phrases You Never Want To Hear In A Presentation : Instigator Blog Giving good presentations is hard. Public speaking is a true skill that you can develop over time; a combination of art and science. (tags: presentation speaking business productivity) […]
Oooo…I hear “does that make sense?” far too often. I thought I was the only one with that pet peave…or who noticed that…pet peave or not.
I find the deafening silence and paper shuffling when I ask “any questions?” rather daunting. Frankly there should be questions - but the silence tells me I’ve been presenting mainly to myself!
I’m also interesting in things people don’t want to hear the presenters say! The weasel phrases I explore on my blog are things like “behind the power curve”, “360″ and “let’s take this idea for a ride”. I don’t want to hear any of those in a presentation either.
Great blog to read, cheers
[…] Posted by Bronwyn on March 9th, 2007 Ben has listed 5 Phrases you never want to hear in a presentation. […]
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Superb Ben!
6. “Now this is complicated, so bear with me while I read this slide out …”
7. “I’m running WAY over my time here, aren’t I?”
Rowan
http://fortifyservices.blogspot.com
Thank you to everyone who left a comment. I love the additional phrases that people hate in presentations - there are some doozies!
[…] 5 Phrases that you never want to hear in a presentation. Thankfully I have been saved from the most daunting side of public speaking but I think these points are still invaluable whether you are presenting to a small team or a hall full of people. […]
[…] post at the Instigator Blog about things you don’t want to hear in a presentation. I could add hundreds, most of […]
[…] by jaminellis on March 13th, 2007 There was a post on the Instigator Blog: 5 Phrases You Never Want To Hear In A Presentation, which was picked up over on lifehack.org as What Not To Say in a Presentation. As opposed to […]
[…] Phrases You Never Want to Hear in a Presentation 5 Phrases You Never Want to Hear in a Presentation 5 things never to say in a presentation and 5 tips you should follow instead.[news] [world & […]
Another one….
“This slide is hard to read, but what it says is…”
If it’s harder to explain the slide than to explain the point, toss the slide!
Thanks Great info I will take the advice next time I am presenting Xango. http://www.thatsgreatjuice.com
[…] reference from here […]
[…] Guess” and “Does that make any sense?”. Ben from InstigatorBlog.com wrote a really amusing post on this subject, read […]
There’s no such word as “Pronunciate”. The appropriate word would be “Annunciate”, but to make it fit with the list of “P”s you could use “Pronunciation”.
I would add “obviously”. If it’s obvious just don’t tell me.
all good points!
Speaking as a brit pronunciate is much more frequently used over here, but has fallen foul over there of the weathering and erosion that America has performed upon the english language…
We’re terrible in our common speech over here with nearly everyone saying ‘at the end of the day……’, ‘to be honest…’, and an almost inescapable trait of youth culture that requires the word ‘like’ to be used nearly every other word, in a lazy manner so the speaker can buy time whilst they remember the word they want to utter next
[…] 5 Phrases You Never Want To Hear In A Presentation : Instigator Blog (tags: presentations public.speaking) […]
I think, those phrases are just an indication that the presenter is nervous or its his first time. Well, if it is, then why not give them a break, huh? There’s always a first time for everyone.
Great writings Ben…….keep up the good work. When you are thinking of buying and selling real estate in Arizona……the opportunity to earn your business would be highly valued!
Michelle Shelton
Owner - AZ Mastermind Group
I found reading this post fascinating.
Having had some experience in education, I can empathise with the 5 phrases. I especially liked the 4 Ps of Presentations.
Excellent blog!
[…] Yoskovitz presents 5 Phrases You Never Want To Hear In A Presentation posted at Instigator Blog, saying, “A list of 5 phrases you never want to hear during a […]
I’d add “Like, um you know” to the list.
In fact, after I started podcasting, and editing those podcasts, I realized all the little verbal tics and tricks I use in every day speech, and which ones drive me crazy. It has changed the way I talk and present in every day life, as a result. So don’t overlook the power of taping your presentations, even during practice, and look out for those personal verbal tics that are somewhat lazy speech and don’t help you articulate your points clearly.
When someone says “What else can I show you?” I usually just shout “magic tricks”, or “explain that whole theory of relativity thing”. I’m a bit of a presentation heckler.
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Whitney - I really like the term “verbal ticks” … that makes me laugh.
Thank you (and to Sarakastic) for keeping the conversation going!
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[…] when I update with more drivel!. . That would rock!I often have to give presentations and over here Ben Yoskovitz has written a cracking blog on words you don’t want to hear as a presenter. […]
A few years back I have been attending this club called “The Toastmasters” hosted by my company. I think they are a national organization that helps people with presentation skills.
Back then the company I worked for back then would actually provide free lunch and other perks for employees to attend the meeting. However, I actually found out it’s a very helpful class and it teaches you all the essential elements to a great presentation. A lot of the key points are actually very similiar to this article.
Excellent article and great reading!
Dear Ben,
Thanks for the tips. The #1 response when people mention “Business Presentation” is….. BORING. How do we want others to describe our presentations? Inspiring, motivating, informational, fun, entertaining… The best way to do that is to throw yourself into your topic. If you have earned the right to talk about your topic through experience or deep study, you are excited about your topic and you are eager to share it with your audience - you will not be boring. Check out Steve Jobs of Apple. This is a funny video of his habit of saying “boom” but no one would call him boring!
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=esrg54bab.0.0.mx66ewbab.0&ts=S0255&p=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dr8L39UwOS-Y&id=preview
Vicki - Thanks for the link. Steve Jobs is well-known for his presentation skills.
And I agree completely - people’s first reaction when they hear “business presentation” is *yawn* … the key is to not make it that way. And on the positive side, if expectations are low you can really wow them and make a difference by putting some jazz into your presentation.
I think it really comes down to preparation. If you know you’re material, and you’ve researched your audience and prepared your pitch, you’re golden. If you show up with half-baked ideas, or a lack of direction than you’re going to flounder and everyone will see it.
There are other ways to spice up a presentation and other errors you can make, but this is a very good summary.
Everyone who manages to obey to these rules will make at least a decent presentation.
I have given many presentations, I must admit some have been very good and other very poor. My own advice would be to know your subject matter inside out. People who give presentations with a good understanding of the subject, are generally caught and, resulting in a fiasco.
Pete - That’s sound advice. Worse comes to worse, you flub your presentation but you can fall back on your solid knowledge of the subject matter and pull yourself out of the fire.
Maybe that should be added to the list of 5 phrases you never want to hear in a presentation, “I don’t really know much about this, but here goes…”!
Benjamin: here’s hoping you’ve never heard that before, because that would definitely be bad!
[…] and even fewer of us are comfortable with public speaking. Awhile ago, I joked a bit about things you shouldn’t say in a presentation but really, it’s no laughing […]
I can’t believe it! This person is giving really good advice and all you care to do is pinpoint a mistake.
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