Introduction
Think about the worst presentation ever experienced by you or someone you know. What do you remember about it? Do you remember the topic? Your answer is most probably no. Everyone wants to* deliver a great presentation, so we have ways to help you avoid giving the worst presentation ever of your career, as you’ll see later. First, let's look at some examples of terrible presentations.
What is the worst presentation you have ever seen?
There are so many examples of the worst presentation ever you can find both online and in real life. These examples show some of the worst presentations ever; some of which make the whole slide painful to look at or read. Can you point out the reasons why each one fails?
5 examples of terrible presentations
The tragic overuse of visual aids
4. Organize your speech
When your speech is properly organized, you will be a lot less nervous. Create a plan of action and organize everything to the minute. Before you start, check all your props and aids, and make sure they are in place. Go over your speech and arrange your flashcards accordingly. Check your PowerPoint slides themes and designs.
5. Make sure you know what you’re talking about
No matter how good your speech is, you won’t feel confident unless you know it well. People make the mistake of memorizing the lines of the speech without really understanding them. Then, if someone asks a question they didn’t prepare for, they panic.
You need to understand your presentation's topic well enough to talk about it in your own words. The confidence that comes from knowing something can overshadow whatever doubts and fear you had before, and you won’t worry too much about giving the worst presentation ever.
How do I calm my nerves before my speech?
The closer a big presentation is, the more nervous you will be. Even accomplished speakers, like the people who give the worst presentation ever shark tank shows, deal with some nerves before a big presentation. However, you need to get rid of them before you deliver your presentation, so they don’t turn out to be your worst presentation ever.
Ways to calm the nerves before a big talk
- Practice your speech
The importance of practice before any speaking engagement cannot be overemphasized. You can rehearse your speech a few times before you’re due to speak, and that can help you relax a little. You can practice anywhere, as long as you’re comfortable.
Practice your speech with Orai. Get feedback on your tone, tempo, confidence, and conciseness
- Get to the venue earlier
Lateness only helps to compound your nerves and leave you disorganized. Make sure you get to the venue earlier than your allocated time so you can relax for a few minutes and gather yourself.
- Watch other presenters
You can watch presentations by other orators online to get some tips and to help you relax. If you’re a part of a group, you can watch the other presenters go before your turn. This helps to focus your nerves, and you can learn a helpful tip, so you don’t deliver your worst presentation ever.
- Get used to your environment before the presentation
Take some time and observe the environment where you will present. You can watch the people, pick up on the atmosphere, and get used to it before your time to present. If you don’t feel at home, it can make you deliver your worst presentation ever.
- Engage in self-care before your speech
Selfcare is very important, especially before a presentation. You can practice self-care in many ways, depending on what relaxes you. Some people like reading a book, some prefer walks, and some like meditating. Find the one that suits you and relax your nerves.
Avoidable mistakes people make on PowerPoint presentations
- Packing too much written text on one slide. Your slide can only take a certain amount of text before it becomes the worst PowerPoint presentation ever
- Using complicated diagrams and graphs that the audience cannot understand easily
- Using unnecessary transitions and animations. It’s a slide and not the worst PowerPoint presentation ever
- Breaking the flow of the speech
- Burying the significant information instead of centering it at the beginning of the presentation
- Using bad contrasts, like white text on pale colors. You need the text and background colors to contrast
Differences between a good presentation and the worst presentation ever
| Good presentation | Bad presentation |
| A good presentation has main points that tie the presentation together from start to finish | The worst presentation ever is disjointed, dull, and generally ineffective and holding the audience’s attention |
| A good presentation comes with good quality visual aids that are effective in passing along the message of the presenter | The worst presentation ever has either no visual aids or poorly used visual aids. The visual aids don’t work well with the presentation |
| A good presentation uses well-placed humor and personal stories to engage and entertain the audience | The worst presentation ever is boring and tedious to follow, leaving the audience tired and uninterested in the speaker |
| A good presentation is delivered with* clear and concise text and speech that anyone at a fifth-grade level and above can understand | The worst presentation ever is delivered using complicated and verbose grammar that makes it hard for the audience to follow along |
Things you should never say during your speech
- ‘I don’t know.’
If you don’t know the answer to a question thrown at you during a presentation, offer to get the answer later. Saying you don’t know makes you look unprepared.
- ‘I think.’
Instead, say what you want to say directly. Saying ‘I think’ before making a statement can make you sound unsure of its validity.
- Wrong statements
Every statement you make during your presentation has to be based on facts. Back them up with studies and statistics. You don’t have to state all your references, but you should have them for anyone that asks. This is a problem found in the worst presentation ever shark tank puts on TV
- Filler words
Filler words are crutches that muddle up your speech and make it sound broken. When you rely on filler words, you start to sound unsure and uncertain of what you’re saying. They can also* distract your audience and dilute your message.
- ‘Do you have any questions?’
It doesn’t engage your audience, and it can sound so cliché. Instead, guide them towards asking questions and let them know you will be open to taking questions after your presentation.
Do’s and don’ts of presentations
| Do’s of presentations | Don’ts of presentations |
| Do use readable fonts and simple animations and transitions | Don’t overuse fancy fonts and animations |
| Do place text on plain backgrounds only | Don’t place text over pictures |
| Do take your time and speak in a measured tone | Don’t rush your speech |
| Do speak in simple and clear sentences | Don’t use overly complicated words and jargon |
| Do use correct body language and gestures | Don’t use bad body language and gestures |
| Do keep your presentation interesting and engaging | Don’t bore your listeners with a dull speech |
| Do talk to your audience directly without looking back at your slides | Don’t read from your slides |
| Do include relevant and high-quality visual aids | Don’t fill your slides with irrelevant visual aids |
Conclusion
Many examples of bad presentations exist, like the worst presentation ever shark tank has brought to the TV screen. But nobody wants to be the one delivering the worst presentation ever. With the tips in this article, you can avoid that and also give the worst PowerPoint presentation ever!
Still, confused? No worries, get over your fear of public speaking. Download Orai now and start practicing.
