This week’s post reflects on avoiding a long prelude when opening your presentation.
“…a long prelude is most deadly to one who composes it.”
Aristotle said this more than 2,300 years ago.
Yet despite the passing of time – years, decades and centuries.
This remains one of the most common errors committed by presenters.
You will hear it all the time at the start of a speech.
Lots of housekeeping announcements.
Comments on the weather, the venue and the time of day.
Observations that have zero relevance to the topic being covered in the presentation.
There are many differing reasons why speakers start like this.
They don’t know any better.
They have always done it this way.
They use it as a comfort blanket.
Whatever the reason for doing it, the result is always the same.
The audience switch off.
And sometimes they simply do not come back.
Once you’ve lost them.
It is an uphill battle to get their attention back.
For them to engage, to listen and take in what you have to say.
Aristotle did not use the word ‘deadly’ by chance.
He chose the word carefully and wrote it in his book Art of Rhetoric.
Next time you need to give a presentation, remember to avoid a long prelude.
Otherwise, it is bad news for the audience.
And far worse for you!
For more guidance on starting strong in a presentation and avoiding a long prelude – check out the following article…