10 Ways to Avoid Presentation Failure

What makes a bad presentation? Why do some presentations fail? How do you avoid having bad presentation skills?

Meet the Author: Benjamin Ball

Ben is the founder of Benjamin Ball Associates and leads the presentation coaching and pitch deck creation teams. Formerly a corporate financier in the City of London, for 20+ years he’s helped businesses win with better pitches and presentations, particularly investor pitches. He is a regular speaker and a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School and UCL London.  Follow Ben on LinkedIn or visit the contact page. 

The Pain of Bad Presentations

We’ve all sat through bad presentations – the kind that make you want to check your email or scroll through your social media. Maybe you’ve even had a presentation failure at work

But why do some presentations fail to engage and inspire, while others leave a lasting impression?  

Preparing a Business Presentation is a real skill; a core business skills.  And it’s a skill you can learn.  Over the last 15 years we’ve coached thousands of people to be brilliant business presenters. 

Presentations can be a powerful way to inform, persuade, or inspire, but they also come with pitfalls that can derail your efforts if not managed well.

Whether you’re delivering a persuasive presentation in front of an audience or hosting virtual presentations for remote locations, being prepared and intentional in your approach is crucial.

Here’s how to avoid common problems and elevate your next presentation.

Let’s review each of these reasons in more detail:

1. You don’t prepare enough

If you haven’t put in the time to research and rehearse your presentation, it will show. You’ll deliver a bad presentation. You may fail to land your message, stumble over unfamiliar words, or struggle to answer questions from the audience.

Technical problems are among the most common problems presenters face, from malfunctioning equipment to failed internet connections. Always have a backup plan in place. Save your PowerPoint presentation on multiple devices and bring printed copies of your slide deck if possible.

For virtual presentations, test your setup beforehand and have a contingency plan, such as a short video or alternative platform, to minimise disruptions.

Make sure you give yourself enough time to prepare and practice to avoid presentation failure.

2. You have a poor structure

A poorly structured presentation can leave your audience floundering, unable to follow your train of thought, leaving them bored and disengaged.  

A common mistake in business presentations is overwhelming the audience with too much information. Packing every detail into your slide deck might seem thorough, but you will loose your audience’s attention.

Instead, identify the main points you want to convey and structure your presentation around them. Use bullet points sparingly and prioritise clarity over quantity. For example, if you have an entire list of data points, consider sharing just the most important ones and offering the rest as supplementary material.

Take time to plan.  What’s the overarching message or purpose?  What are your key points and are you providing clear evidence for each one?  Does your presentation have a logical flow? And, most importantly, do you start with a powerful opening and close strongly?

3. Over-reliance on slides

Slides can be powerful visual aids, but if you rely on them too heavily, you are on track for a presentation fail.  Slides should support your presentation, not drive it. You should be the focus of the audience’s attention, not your PowerPoint deck. 

There is a fine line between using your media tools effectively and letting them dominate your presentation. A PowerPoint presentation, for instance, is a tool to support your message, not replace it.

The use of the medium should enhance your delivery rather than distract from it. Avoid overloading slides with text or relying solely on them to carry the presentation. A concise slide deck with visuals and a clear flow will help your audience focus on the subject without feeling overwhelmed.

Perhaps you don’t even need slides at all – many business leaders never use them.  Or think about what other visual aids you could use instead – powerful pictures, physical products, films or flip charts.

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Why Pick Benjamin Ball Associates for Your Presentation Coaching

At Benjamin Ball Associates, we’ve been coaching business people to improve their business communication skills for over 15 years.  Our coaching is fast and effective.  We work with individuals and with companies, one-to-one and in groups.  Call us today to learn more.

“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”

Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

Our most popular training courses include:

• Presentation Coaching
• Public Speaking Coaching
• Investor Pitch Support and Coaching

Trusted by some of the most successful companies globally

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

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4. Lack of energy and enthusiasm

If you’re not excited about your presentation, your audience won’t be either.  If you look bored, they’ll feel bored.  Make sure you bring energy and enthusiasm to your talk.  Smile, make eye contact, use a strong and confident voice. 

Show that you’re passionate about your topic, that it’s important to you, that you believe what you’re saying.  Your enthusiasm will be contagious – and it will help you carry your audience with you. 

5. Ignorance of your audience

Have you thought about what your audience really wants and expects from your presentation?  What’s in it for them?  If you don’t take the time to understand their needs and interests, you’ll lose them.  If you lose your audience you’ll have a presentation failure.

Instead, carefully consider what matters to them, show you care about them.  Use language and examples that resonate with them.

6. Too much jargon

Jargon and technical language can be confusing and off-putting for your audience, especially if they’re unfamiliar with your business.  A typical bad presentation includes too much industry-specific jargon, acronyms and technical terms.  

The best presentations use simple, clear language.  Sometimes it helps to imagine that you’re a teacher, explaining difficult concepts to a teenager.  If your 15-year-old niece or nephew grasps your story, so will everyone else.

7. Lack of engagement

Making an emotional connection with your audience can often make the difference between a successful presentation and a failed presentation.  

Body language plays a vital role in engaging audience members. Standing confidently, maintaining an open posture, and using natural hand gestures can help emphasise your key points. Facial expressions are equally important; they should match the tone of your message, reinforcing your enthusiasm or seriousness.

In virtual presentations, where non-verbal cues are harder to pick up, use clear and expressive language while maintaining eye contact with the camera to create a sense of connection.

Try asking questions, soliciting feedback and encouraging participation.  Get your audience involved.  Make them feel engaged.

8. You are too formal in your presentation

Your presentation should reflect your personality and individual style.  If you’re too formal or stiff, it will feel as if you’re holding your audience at arms’ length, lecturing rather than informing them.  

Consider the psychological principles of persuasion when crafting your presentation. Average ratings for presentations often improve when speakers balance logic with emotional appeal. A relevant short video, a personal story, or an impactful statistic can create a stronger connection with your audience. By tailoring your content to the specific rules of your audience’s preferences, you’ll make a more lasting impression.

Be authentic and let your personality shine through.

9. Irrelevance

There’s no point giving a technically brilliant presentation if it’s out of date or simply not appropriate for your audience. Your material should be relevant and timely. Keep it as topical as possible.  Use up-to-date data, anecdotes and examples. 

Avoid talking about things that may be interesting in their own right, but have no relevance to the subject of your presentation – or your audience may simply tune out.

10. No clear call-to-action

It’s important you’re clear about what you want your audience to do, think or feel at the end of your presentation.  A clear call-to-action is always the best way to close.  It may be that you want them to buy into a big change in your business, or take part in a survey.  Or you may just want to challenge them to think differently about something, or make a change in their behaviour. 

To avoid presentation failure make sure your audience knows what you want them to do – and make it easy for them to do it.

The good news is that with practice and preparation, you can overcome these challenges. Review what worked and what didn’t last time, and apply those insights to your next presentation. By mastering the art of delivering your message effectively, you’ll avoid failure and become a more confident and engaging speaker.

How to Make Sure Your Presentations Don’t Flop

Great presentations take careful planning and preparation. By avoiding these 10 common pitfalls, you can create something that engages, informs, and inspires your audience.  You’ll avoid a failing presentation at work.

Remember to focus on their needs, inject energy and enthusiasm. Start strong and end with a clear call-to-action. With these simple tips, you can ensure your presentation doesn’t flop, but leaves a lasting impression.

How to improve your presentation skills – quickly

These presenting tips and techniques will definitely help you avoid presentation failure and become a better presenter, but they are just the start.

We’d be happy to show you how our intensive presentation coaching can transform the impact you make.

We’ll help you polish what you say, how you say it and how you feel about saying it.  You’ll end up clear, confident and compelling.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

Speak to an expert. Get a free consultation

Why Choose Us:
Transform your pitches and presentations with tailored coaching

We can help you present brilliantly. Thousands of people have benefitted from our tailored in-house coaching and advice – and we can help you too.

“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”

Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice for leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. We’ll help you improve corporate presentations through presentation coaching, public speaking training and expert advice on pitching to investors.

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Unlock your full potential and take your presentations to the next level.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

Speak to an expert. Get a free consultation