Whether you are giving a presentation to prospective clients, new employees, or your boss, the objective is to effectively communicate information. Even the most basic slides can accomplish this, but there are some common mistakes that can detract from an otherwise good presentation.

3 Presentation Pitfalls to Avoid

When creating a presentation or preparing to give one, make sure you avoid the following common mistakes:

  1. Bad technology - Almost everybody has experienced it. The presentation won't load, the remote viewers can't connect to the conference line, or the audio doesn't work. Whatever technical problems you encounter, they are distracting from the presentation and can potentially prevent you from achieving your objectives.

  2. Outdated software - Having a different software version or operating system can be problematic if viewers are supposed to watch the presentation from their own devices.

  3. Static text - Although there is a time and place for bullet points in many presentations, this is not the most effective way to communicate information to your audience. The human brain processes information in multiple ways, and reading text on a screen is just one of them.

How to Overcome Presentation Pitfalls

Fortunately, these common mistakes are possible to overcome with a few simple steps:

  1. Set up early - Just as you practice delivering your presentation to the audience, you should also practice the technical setup. If you are using a projector, set it up in the room where you will be delivering the presentation, connect your computer, and make sure it looks good on the screen. Don't forget to check microphones and other audio components as well. If you are delivering the presentation remotely, give your conferencing or screen-sharing system a test drive before the scheduled time so you can ensure that everything goes smoothly.

  2. Update your software - Whether you are using a popular presentation software solution like PowerPoint or a cutting-edge web-based solution like Prezi, make sure you have the most current version and a computer that meets all the necessary requirements.

  3. Use graphics and video - Spice up your presentation with custom graphics, animation, or video. Use tools likeAdobe Creative Cloud to make templates, charts, and other visual components that will make your presentations more dynamic. Of course, it is important to strike a balance and ensure that the graphics you add are not so flashy that they are distracting.

Whether you need help finding the right computer or the right software, MelroseMAC is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about the products and services we offer to businesses of all types.

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