The 5 Biggest Mistakes Speakers Make (And How to Fix Them Fast)
The Cost of Not Being Prepared
One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made as a speaker happened early in my career. I was speaking on the topic of resilience, a subject I knew inside and out. Because I felt so comfortable with the content, I procrastinated on my preparation and practice. I figured my natural expertise would carry me through.
On the day of my presentation, I didn’t feel as confident as I usually did. My nerves got the best of me, and while the audience still responded positively, I knew deep down that I hadn’t delivered my best. Afterward, a friend who attended shared some feedback, and in an effort to adjust mid-way, I tried to incorporate their suggestions in the next session—which only made things worse. I stumbled even more because I wasn’t grounded in my preparation.
That experience taught me a valuable lesson: Preparation isn’t just about knowing your material—it’s about embodying it. When you fully own your message, you can pivot, adapt, and still deliver with confidence, no matter what distractions arise.
The 5 Most Common Speaking Mistakes
Even experienced speakers fall into certain traps that keep them from truly connecting with their audience and delivering with impact. Here are the five biggest mistakes I see—and how to fix them fast.
1️⃣ Storytelling a Chain of Events Instead of Going Deep in One Moment
Too many speakers tell long, drawn-out stories that take the audience on an unnecessary journey. They try to recreate an entire scene rather than focusing on one powerful moment.
💡 Fix It: Instead of telling an audible movie, unpack one pivotal moment—a turning point, an emotional shift, or a decision that changed everything. This creates instant connection.
2️⃣ Relying Too Much on Slides or Notes
No one wants to sit through a PowerPoint presentation where the speaker simply reads slides. If you’re just reciting what’s in front of you, why not just send an email instead? (sorry, not sorry!)
💡 Fix It: Treat your slides as visual support, not a crutch. Practice delivering your talk without them first, then add slides that enhance—not replace—your message.
3️⃣ Lack of Structure (No Clear Takeaway)
Many speakers, even those who know their topic well, struggle with structuring their message. They jump around without a clear roadmap, leaving the audience lost and confused.
💡 Fix It: Before you speak, ask yourself:
✔️ What do I want my audience to feel, think, and do by the end?
✔️ What’s the ONE key message they should walk away with?
✔️ What’s my clear call to action?
Having a strong structure keeps your audience engaged and ensures your message sticks.
4️⃣ Not Respecting Time
I cannot stress this enough: Respecting time is critical. I’ve seen even seasoned speakers go over their allotted time—and nothing frustrates an event organizer (or an audience) more.
💡 Fix It: Practice your talk with a timer so you know exactly how long it takes. Cut unnecessary content and stick to the most impactful points. A well-timed speech shows professionalism and discipline.
5️⃣ Failing to Engage the Audience
Some speakers talk too fast, speak in a monotone voice, or fail to match their energy to the room. This disconnects the audience and makes the talk forgettable.
💡 Fix It: Observe your audience. Are they nodding, leaning in, or making eye contact? If not, adjust your tone, pacing, or delivery style to draw them back in.
How to Instantly Fix These Mistakes
If you’re wondering, “Am I making these mistakes?”, the fastest way to find out is to record yourself speaking and watch it back. You’ll quickly catch things like: ✅ Pacing that’s too fast or too slow
✅ Overuse of slides or filler words
✅ Lack of audience engagement
One of the best ways to improve? Practice, practice, practice. The more you refine your delivery, the more natural and confident you’ll become.
Final Thoughts: Your Voice is Worth Refining
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I make all these mistakes…”, let me encourage you: Every great speaker started somewhere.
Speaking is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned. With consistent practice, you’ll discover your unique voice, your storytelling style, and your delivery rhythm. And once you master that, you’ll be unstoppable.
