Bad Business Presentation Mistakes

Got a new presentation coming up? Avoid these fifteen common presentation mistakes. Learn how to make your presentation as smooth and stress-free as possible!

You’ve got to inform and persuade those around you daily. They need to believe in your vision (and more importantly, believe in you) to get more money, notoriety, or internal resources.

Sometimes you’re trying to win new customers. Other times, you’re trying to get new investors or land press at a conference. And sometimes you’re simply providing the quarterly numbers to your boss.

One of the best ways to persuade people is through a presentation. Presenting complex information in an easy-to-digest format isn’t easy. To make matters worse, it’s rarely taught in any formal schooling either—which means you’re left to fend for yourself (and mess up often).

Sure, having a good presentation design is a nice place to start. The right PowerPoint presentation template can give you a tremendous head start.

However, there are a ton of other variables that ultimately determine if your presentation will be a success or failure. It’s all too easy to put in a lot of effort, only to end up with a bad presentation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Business Presentations

Here are 15 of the most significant presentation pitfalls to avoid, along with helpful tips to enhance your delivery. You will learn how to address proper presentation writing, quality of design, common speech mistakes, audience engagement, and more.

The last thing you want to do is deliver a bad presentation, so let’s make sure to avoid these poor presentation mistakes:

Mistake 1. Not Scripting Your Presentation

All good presentations and speeches start with a tight script. Believe it or not, there’s some method to this madness when writing out a professional presentation. It’s somewhere between an outline and a full document that helps you lay out the foundation for your delivery.

Don’t make the mistake of not writing out your presentation first. There’s a reason why CEOs sound so polished giving keynotes and presidents craft their speeches. Learn more about the presentation writing process:

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  How to Write a Professional PowerPoint Presentation (Discover the Writing Process)

  Brad Smith 19 Jun 2023

Note: That’s especially true when you’re going to be giving a more formal, structured presentation like with abusiness plan.

Mistake 2. Reading, Not Speaking

The goal of the presentation is to make a connection with your audience. You want each person to feel like you’re speaking directly to them; building their confidence in both you and your message.

However, all that connection disappears when your eyes look down, and you begin speaking in a monotone voice, reading directly from paper or slides.

If you have to read the content on the slide, there are too many words. This can lead to disengagement, as people’s eyes glaze over when bombarded with information. You should work to avoid that and aim to make a presentation that persuades.

That said, you’re not expected to memorize the entire thing either. Instead, highlight three to five major talking points and get comfortable speaking off the cuff to add in context and examples.

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Mistake 3. Not Practicing Enough

Writing out a basic script or outline for your speech is a nice start, but it won’t come off smoothly until you actually practice it. A good rule of thumb is to practice for about one hour for each minute of your speech.

While that may seem excessive, running through your speech multiple times will help you become familiar with it. You’ll notice key details, transitions, and even how your gestures should look on stage.

If public speaking makes you anxious, remember that it’s a common feeling. Learn how to overcome it:

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  How to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking David Masters 27 Feb 2023

Mistake 4. Going Over (Or Under) Time

Nothing screams amateur more than exceeding your time limit. In larger settings, running under time can damage your credibility, and in smaller settings, failing to respect your audience’s time can be a deal killer.

Use a timer during practice to gauge your material’s timing. Adjust your content accordingly to either extend or shorten your presentation length.

Mistake 5. Boring, Unprofessional Design

It only takes about 50 milliseconds for people to form a first impression, and about 94% of that is based on design. In a presentation, your slide deck is your most visible element.

Chances are, your audience has seen the same default PowerPoint templates hundreds of times.

To avoid this, consider using a professionally designed PowerPoint template. This can greatly enhance your presentation’s visual appeal while adhering to best practices:

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  30 PPT Templates: To Make Simple Modern PowerPoint Presentations in 2024

Mistake 6. Not Working Out the Technical Kinks

One thing you can count on when giving a presentation is that something will likely go wrong technologically.

To minimize issues, practice in the venue, if possible. Familiarize yourself with the layout, equipment, and potential technical requirements. You want to ensure that the day of your presentation, you’re focused on delivering effectively, rather than worrying about tech issues.

Mistake 7. Cluttered, Text-Heavy Slides

The best presentation slides are simple and straightforward. Avoid overcrowding them with too much text or flashy transitions, as this can detract from your message.

Think of each slide as visual support for your key points, and use graphs or charts to illustrate your message.

![The X Note Presentation Template]

Discover more professional PowerPoint designs with numerous layout and infographic options:

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  32+ Top Professional PPT Templates and Business Presentation Examples (2024)

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Mistake 8. Neglecting the Audience’s Background

Tailor your content to your audience’s background. Using too much jargon can alienate those who aren’t familiar with the terms.

Understanding your audience’s preferences will help you craft your message effectively.

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  How to Make a Persuasive PowerPoint Presentation (With Powerful Tips + Video) Celine (CX) Roque 14 Nov 2022

Mistake 9. Failing to Hold Your Audience’s Attention

Your delivery matters greatly. Use intonation, pacing, and body language to keep your audience engaged.

Vary your volume and insert pauses to emphasize key points. Additionally, ensure your content connects with your audience’s experiences and pain points to maintain their interest.

Discover additional techniques on how to deliver an engaging presentation:

• []{.roundup-block__content-link} Deliver Engaging Presentations Like Steve Jobs David Masters 11 Feb 2014

Mistake 10. No Takeaways or ‘Next Steps’

To prevent information overload, structure your presentation clearly. Start with an outline and repeat key points throughout.

At the end, provide actionable takeaways or next steps for your audience. The best business presentations inspire action.

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  30 Creative Presentation Ideas That’ll Inspire Audiences to Action in 2024 (+Video) Julia Melymbrose 15 Sep 2023

Mistake 11. Avoiding Eye Contact

Maintaining eye contact is crucial for engaging your audience. If you’re looking at your notes or slides constantly, you risk losing their interest.

Establishing eye contact helps create a personal connection and shows confidence in your material.

Mistake 12. Inappropriate Humor

Using humor can lighten the mood, but be cautious. Inappropriate jokes can offend your audience and undermine your message.

Know your audience well, and use humor sparingly if at all.

Mistake 13. Speaking Incoherently

Speaking clearly is vital. Nerves can cause mumbling or rushing, leading to a poor presentation.

Practice proper breathing techniques, slow down, and focus on your enunciation.

Mistake 14. Dressing Inappropriately

Your attire should not overshadow your presentation. Dress conservatively to maintain focus on your message rather than your outfit.

Mistake 15. Forgetting to Introduce the Topic

Always introduce your topic at the beginning. Don’t assume your audience knows what your presentation covers. Providing context helps pique interest and aids understanding.

Follow These Good Business Presentation Tips for Better Results

While you may have learned how to give a basic presentation, a business presentation with real stakes requires a different level of preparation.

• Script your presentation to establish a solid foundation.
• Avoid reading directly from slides to maintain a natural flow.
• Practice extensively to become familiar with your topic.
• Be mindful of your audience’s time.
• Use professional templates to enhance visual appeal.
• Test all technical equipment before your presentation.
• Keep slides concise and readable.
• Tailor content to your audience’s background.
• Pay attention to your delivery style.
• Provide clear next steps at the end of your presentation.
• Maintain eye contact with your audience.
• Use humor carefully.
• Speak clearly and at a steady pace.
• Dress appropriately for the occasion.
• Always introduce your topic effectively.

By implementing these tips and practicing diligently, you can avoid common pitfalls and deliver a successful business presentation.

Start by reviewing our guide on PowerPoint templates to ensure a solid design foundation before diving into the details of your presentation.

Disorganized content, unclear design, and poor delivery can hinder even the best presentation ideas. Don’t design a bad presentation that fails to deliver. Instead, learn how to write, design, and prepare your presentation powerfully.