3 Presentation Mistakes That Are Killing Your Public Speaking Success

Are you unknowingly sabotaging your presentations before they even begin? Many presenters fall into traps created by myths, outdated advice, or methods designed for experienced speakers. These missteps can increase stress, reduce audience engagement, and limit the impact of your message.

Perhaps a colleague, friend, or family member shared guidance that doesn’t suit your experience level. Or maybe you tried a technique meant for a seasoned stage speaker, leaving you feeling overwhelmed. These mistakes are common, but the good news is that they are entirely fixable.

By recognising these pitfalls and adjusting your approach, you can dramatically improve your chances of delivering engaging, memorable presentations. Let’s explore three common mistakes and what you should be doing instead.

Mistake 1 – Using the 10/10/10 Presentation Structure

The 10/10/10 structure is common in corporate settings:

• 10 minutes giving an agenda

• 10 minutes delivering main points

• 10 minutes concluding

This method is predictable and often boring. Opening with an agenda and repeating information at the end risks losing audience attention. Your listeners are most attentive when you deliver your main points, so losing them during the opening wastes valuable engagement.

Even in short presentations, this structure can feel repetitive and fail to inspire. It may seem safe, but it does not generate excitement or focus.

What to Do Instead

Use the open, body, close structure, also called the nano speech:

1. Open: Capture attention immediately with a statement, question, or story

2. Body: Deliver your main points clearly and concisely

3. Close: End with a strong call to action that your audience will remember

This approach maximises attention, emphasises key points, and ensures your presentation is purposeful and engaging from start to finish.

Mistake 2 – Making PowerPoint the Presentation Instead of You

A common error is designing slides first. This often leads to slides overloaded with text, which tempts you to read from the screen. When this happens, your audience focuses on the slides rather than on you, reducing engagement and the impact of your message.

PowerPoint should support your presentation, not replace it. Over-reliance on slides shifts attention away from your message and diminishes your role as the speaker.

What to Do Instead

Create minimalist slides that enhance understanding:

• Include only one key point per slide

• Only add visuals or text that help the audience grasp your message

• For every slide, plan:

  • How you will open the point

  • The main message you want to deliver

  • A story or example linked to that message

  • How you will close or transition to the next point

Remember, you are the main event. Slides are the support act, helping the audience understand your message without overwhelming or distracting them.

Mistake 3 – Not Planning Clear Transitions Between Points

Many presentations fail because the speaker rambles. This can happen for three reasons:

1. They are unclear about what they want to say

2. They do not know how to transition between points

3. They are speaking without structure or intention

Without clear transitions, your audience can become confused, lose focus, and fail to understand your message. Effective transitions are the thread that connects your presentation and maintains attention.

What to Do Instead

Plan smooth, simple connections between points:

• Use stories, analogies, or references to link ideas

• Decide in advance how you will move from one point to the next

• Close the presentation with a clear, memorable call to action

Clear transitions make your presentation cohesive, professional, and easy to follow. Your audience will leave understanding your message rather than trying to piece it together themselves.

Additional Tips to Elevate Your Presentation Skills

• Practice your delivery regularly: Build confidence by rehearsing your open, body, and close structure

• Engage your audience early: Start with a story, question, or surprising fact to capture attention

• Keep it simple: Avoid overcomplicating slides or transitions; clarity drives comprehension

• Make your call to action memorable: End with actionable steps your audience can follow

These principles ensure your presentations are impactful, engaging, and well-received, giving you the best chance of achieving your desired outcome.

Actionable Takeaways for Successful Presentations

• Don’t use the 10/10/10 structure. Instead use the open, body, close structure to capture attention, deliver your main point and inspire your audience with a call to action.

• Stop making everything about your slides. You are the main event, your slides are the support act. Design your slides so the presentation is only complete with your narrative around it.

• Plan clear transitions between your main points. If you are unclear on this you will end up rambling or ruining your call to action at the end. Clarity on these will help you deliver, and ensure you land your message with the audience.

Avoid these pitfalls and elevate your presentations in the Ultimate Guide to Public Speaking

More from Liam Sandford

• Read my book: Effortless Public Speaking. Learn how to speak confidently, reduce stress, and turn public speaking into your competitive advantage. These actionable public speaking tips will help you improve your presentation skills for any audience.

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