Whenever you open your mouth, whether your audience is one person or a thousand, you want to get a specific message across. You want your opinions to be heard either at meetings or a formal talk. You want to advise a sales team or your CEO on an important proposal. Here are the pitfalls to avoid if you set out to present, persuade and propel with the spoken word.

<B>Unclear thinking</B>

If you can?t describe what you are talking about in one sentence, you may be guilty of fuzzy focus or trying to cover too many topics. Your listeners may find it difficult to understand.

<B>No clear structure</B>

Make it easy for people to follow what you are saying. They will remember it better. You will also find it easy to present your information and ideas. If you ramble and don?t get to the point, you will lose your listeners.

<B>No memorable stories</B>

People rarely remember your exact words. However, they remember the mental images that your words inspire. Jesus spoke in parables. Support your key points with vivid, relevant stories.

<B>No emotional connection</B>

The most powerful communication combines both intellectual and emotional connections. Emotion comes from engaging the listeners? imaginations and involving them in your illustrative stories.

<B>Wrong level of abstraction</B>

Are you providing the big picture and generalities, when your audience is hungry for details, facts and the specifics? Get on the same wavelength as your listeners.

<B>No pauses</B>

Make full use of pauses. If you rush at full speed to crowd in as much information as possible, chances are you?ve left your listeners back at the station.

<B>Irritating non-words</B>

Hum ? err ? you know what I mean ? okay ? are filler words. You tend to insert these words [crutch-words] at the beginning and at the end of sentences. Try to expand your vocabulary and use transitions.

<B>No strong opening and closing</B>

Engage your audience immediately with a powerful, relevant opening and end with a strong and dynamic closing.

<B>Misusing technology</B>

Timid speakers who simply read chart images, slides, overheads can rarely be passionate and effective. Make technology a support to your message, not a crutch.

?Think as wise men do, but speak as common people do.? ? Aristotle