Speech Speedbumps

Greetings from the beautiful Bamenda City!
I hope you all are doing well today.

Today, I want to share with you some mistakes speakers make that can affect the quality of their delivery.

Body Language!
Our parents, especially our African parents back in the day, often relied heavily on nonverbal communication.

Many of us who grew up with strict parents can relate to the experience of receiving a withering look that conveyed a clear message, like "You're in trouble!" or " no try!"
This is to say that body language has a long history and can be a powerful tool.

Relying Too Heavily on Slides
Slides crammed with text or excessive visuals can distract the audience from your message and make your speech seem passive. An overstuffed slide can make you seem like you're hiding behind the information.
Remember, slides are for the audience, not the speaker. Avoid getting stuck reading from them. It's best to keep your slides concise, with no more than 7 words per slide.

Nervous Habits
Fidgeting, pacing excessively, or using filler words like "um" and "uh" can detract from your message and make you seem unprofessional.

Anxiety can manifest as nervous habits, so it's important to manage your stage presence. Aimless movement distracts the audience and undermines your professionalism.

It's important to be aware that some gestures may have different meanings in different cultures or contexts. Research your audience beforehand.

Nonverbal Communication
Studies have shown that non-verbal communication accounts for a significant portion of human interaction, with estimates over 55%.

Ignoring the Audience
Failing to connect with your listeners through eye contact or tailoring your message to their needs can make your speech seem irrelevant. Look out for signs of disengagement from your audience, such as yawning, sleeping, or disinterest. These might indicate a need to increase your energy, vary your vocal delivery (pitch, tone, and pace), or incorporate humor or storytelling to engage them.
By avoiding these mistakes, you can deliver a powerful and engaging presentation