5 Common Public Speaking Mistakes

We're talking about 5 common public speaking mistakes and how to avoid them on this week's episode of MasterTalk. Follow me on Instagram: @masteryourtalk
1. Lack of audience preparation (0:45).
Surprisingly, the most common public speaking mistake I see all the time, is presenters rushing their slides the night before, and never asking themselves what audience they’re even presenting to and how best to explain their concepts and topics to that audience.
Thus, it is important that you always ask yourself who your audience is and what they are trying to get out of this presentation, not YOU. It’s also important to think about the level of knowledge they have on the subject by interviewing some of the audience members, and then specifically tailoring your presentation to what they’d like. As long as you always remember that they are the star, not you, you’ll always be successful and not make this mistake. This is how to avoid common public speaking mistakes.
2. Stargazing (3:06).
This generally happens when you’re looking all over the place. You know the situation where someone is asking you a question and they aren’t looking at you while answering it. It doesn’t instill confidence and worse, you lose credibility as a speak when you stargaze, whether it’s when you don’t know what to say next or when you’re nervous or even when you’re answering a question, never ever stargaze.
The fix to this is simply to only look at 2 key areas EVER. That means you should either be looking at your slides if you have any or any audience member. Never look away from any of those 2 areas especially when being asked a question. The best public speakers in the world, even when they have no clue what to answer, will continue to look at you with confidence while answering the question they have no freaking idea how to answer. This is a common public speaking mistake we can avoid.
3. Uncomfortable with uncertainty (4:22).
I can feel the anxiety that some speakers have even before they present. Whether it’s rushing like a wild person to find their mouse, slides not working, lighting not being right, their body language showing they don’t want to be there, or worst of all, not really looking forward to presenting. Presentations aren’t the funnest thing for anyone, I’ll admit, but it’s important that you create an environment for yourself that is fun, so you can bring your best possible self to the presentation and the topic you are speaking to.
Learn to fall in love with disaster. Many of the times, you won’t have all the details, sometimes, you won’t get the chance to talk as extensively as you would have wanted to with your audience, other times, you won’t know the room or if your slides will even work. The important part here is simply to ensure that you dive first into the presentation and try new things to get comfortable with them similar to how stand up comics go to comedy clubs to practice their “new material” to see if it’s any good to use for their main shows. Let's avoid this common public speaking mistake.
4. Opening/Closings (5:59).
Remember, similar to a great movie that has a terrible ending or the beginning of a great day where you just feel so alive, the beginning and end of everything makes a mark on us. The beginning tells us that what’s about to happen is either going to be BORING or EPIC, and the ending tells us if this will be a presentation I’ll remember for life or if it’ll be forgotten like the other 1000 I’ve watched.
That’s why my tip is simply to use some of the resources I’ve shared to craft better openings and endings, whether it’s simply starting your presentation by complementing your audience on the great achievements they’ve had and how you’re there to make their lives easier or simply to at the end, envisioning a future that they will be able to achieve with your strategy and ideas. Avoid this common public speaking mistake.
5. Filler words filling up the entire presentation (7:22).
I can’t do a video on common mistakes without the obvious one being speakers sprinkling ums, ahs and ehs into every sentence they make. They’re like a wall that prevents you from being a top 1% speaker, they are the most common mistake that is preventing your admission into public speaking greatness. So, how in the world do you get rid of them?
I’d say focus on other tips first if it’s just too hard for you like eye contact, posture and only when you feel like it’s time to tackle this on, then do what we usually do, which is replace your ums and ahs with silences and go on the journey of mastering your ums and ahs.
There are the 5 common public speaking mistakes to avoid.
As always, if you enjoyed this week’s episode of MasterTalk, be sure to SMASH that LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE to the channel as well.
For business or one-on-one public speaking coaching inquiries, you can reach me at [e-mail].
Special thanks to Maison Leporem for letting me use the space.
maisonleporem....

[@WillChen-kl2hc]

An impactful speech must have an impactful opening and closing. Great tip Brenden!

[@MasterTalks]

My pleasure Will!!!

[@luisborges2048]

I'm just taking public speaking seriously and these are very informative, applicable and well explained. Also, the fact that you explain them and then give live examples, makes it easier to understand. Great work man, keep it up!

[@MasterTalks]

Thanks Luis - very kind of you!

[@omhagency]

This is so great. I loved the "stargazing" example :)

[@MasterTalks]

Thanks Tiff! :)

[@yaraneves9945]

Great video! Really enjoyed the tips! Thanks!

[@MasterTalks]

Thanks Yara, appreciated. :)

[@akhilsubhash7644]

Stay motivated

[@MasterTalks]

Thanks Blackbird!

[@karishmamaheshwari6953]

This was really helpful, thank you!

[@MasterTalks]

Hey Karishma, thanks so much!!!

[@MyasGlam]

Very interesting, I just did my first public speaking workshop. 🤩

[@MasterTalks]

Amazing Mya!!!!

[@unclebluehat1915]

Awesome video

[@MasterTalks]

Very kind of you.

[@feriel3238]

excellent Video

[@MasterTalks]

Thanks Feryel, very kind of you to say!

[@oussamaakhiyat1344]

Great video man !!!

[@MasterTalks]

Thanks brother!

[@eddiemuhumuxa9072]

great work man😊

[@MasterTalks]

Thanks Ed!

[@akhilsubhash7644]

Great content bro 👍

[@MasterTalks]

Appreciate it so much!

[@younisshalwi7132]

I enjoy listening to your videos - very useful. I see some obvious differences between the North America culture and the European one where I am based. One thing triggers me with your videos is your posture dude ... you are always a bit tilted, your shoulders and neck. I feel my neck hurts watching you. That’s why I am often listening to you rather than watching ! 😂

[@MasterTalks]

Hahaha, it's a handicap I have. :) That's why! Shoot me a message on Instagram. :)

[@babarazamsucks]

First!

[@MasterTalks]

Yeah you are!