You've been given 30 minutes to talk and you are now nearing an hour.
You think you're wowing the audience with invaluable information that they just need to have!
Dan and I have been running Speaker Slam® events since 2016, and I've seen this from every angle. The talk goes fine, people clap, and then nothing: no follow-up, no referral, no invitation back. What the organizer remembers is how you made their day harder, and event planners talk to each other.
So this summer I started calling them out in a series I call Speaker Faux Pas. Here are the eight I see most, and what to do instead.
1. Going Over Time
When you run long, what you're actually doing is:
- Throwing the entire event off schedule and filling the event organizer with a combination of anxiety, frustration and resentment.
- Stealing time from the next speakers, which is simply unfair.
- Frustrating the audience. Most people are watching the agenda and start to disconnect.
At Speaker Slam®, we create a meticulous tech sheet that tracks each segment by the minute.
Keep on the good side of an event organizer and respect the time. It will go a long way to getting booked again and protecting your reputation in the industry.
Instead: Time your talk in full rehearsal, then trim it so you finish a minute or two early.
2. Asking "How Much Time Do I Have Left?"
It's very unprofessional to ask the host mid talk "how much time do I have left?" AVOID THIS.
Manage your time properly. Rehearse your talk enough that you know exactly how long it is. Wear a watch. Bring a timer to put on the podium. Have a colleague give you a subtle cue from the audience.
Your job is to show up professionally and command the room.
Instead: Own your timing so completely that the organizer never has to think about it.
3. Reading From Your Phone
If you're wondering if you can bring your phone on stage at a speaking event, the answer is NO. At least it shouldn't be in your hand, and you shouldn't be reading off of it.
There is nothing more unprofessional than scrolling through your phone to "read" your keynote. I've seen speakers lose their place mid-scroll. Totally unacceptable.
The only time your phone should be with you is on a podium for timing, or if you're using it to advance your slides.
Keep your eyes up, and your connection to the audience.
The same goes for notes. Do not read your notes on stage if you are doing a 10 to 15 minute talk. If you can't memorize a talk that short, you aren't meant to be speaking professionally. If memorizing is what's holding you back, here's how to memorize a speech without sounding robotic.
Instead: Memorize short talks fully. For long keynotes, let your slides guide you.
4. Being Late
"Early is on time, on time is late and late is unacceptable!" That phrase comes from the author Eric Jerome Dickey, and it couldn't be more applicable in the world of speaking.
Event organizers are trying to manage a hundred moving pieces. As a speaker, your job is to alleviate stress, not add to it. Show up early, get the lay of the land, meet with tech, find your seat and of course, let the organizer know you are there and ready to go!
Instead: Arrive early enough that being stuck in traffic would still leave you on time.
5. Long Introductions and Repeating Your Bio
There is an age old saying: "tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, tell them what you told them." Quite possibly that once made sense. Today, you need to get people's attention instantly or risk losing them to their phones.
Go right into your story. Be captivating. Be entertaining. If you'd like to frame your talk, keep it brief and provocative.
And avoid repeating your bio in your introduction if the person introducing you has just done that. I've seen that done and thought it a big faux pas.
The landscape has shifted and the name of the game is attention. You need to grab it, and hold it!
Instead: Hand the host a tight introduction, then open inside your first story.
6. Overusing or Misusing Stats
A whopping 80% of speakers are using stats incorrectly!
Ok, in all fairness, I have no idea if that's true. But a stat can make a real impact, and overusing stats can be a huge faux pas. Share 1 to 3 impressive stats in a talk and you'll wow your audience. Jam pack your talk with stats and you risk boring, overwhelming or confusing your audience.
The three mistakes I see most:
- Cherry-picking data. Showing only the numbers that support your argument.
- Correlation vs. causation confusion. Two things happening at the same time doesn't mean one causes the other.
- Misinterpreting averages. One billionaire in a group of friends makes the average income look far higher than what most of them earn.
Use stats sparingly and in integrity. 100% of your audience will appreciate that!
Instead: Choose a few numbers you can source and explain, and let your stories do the rest.
7. Blatant Self-Promotion When You're Paid
You've been hired to speak. You are being paid to speak. Your #1 goal is to meet the objectives of the event organizer. You are there to represent the company and deliver for their audience, not to promote your newest course, book or product.
You are, however, allowed and expected to show your expertise and demonstrate your credibility. Perhaps seeds will be planted.
It's a fine line. Walk that line delicately!
There are exceptions:
- You've paid to speak. Then by all means, promote away! Closing sales is your goal, and it's fully expected.
- You negotiated it before your talk, perhaps in exchange for a reduced fee.
- You arranged to sell books at the back of the room, or have a booth.
The best way to get the full value from your speaking experience is to wow the audience and leave them wanting more of you. Share a free resource so they can connect with you, and meet the organizer's objectives so they're happy to refer you.
Instead: Make the host look good. Business follows the speakers who do.
8. Treating a Panel as an Easy Gig
I attended a conference yesterday, and I'll say it: panels feel lazy. Unless you have a hot topic, a powerhouse facilitator and really innovative guests, avoid! People come to conferences to be engaged and entertained.
If you do accept a panel seat, prepare like it's a keynote. Bring one sharp story, one clear point of view and one line people will repeat afterward.
Brilliant gets you booked once. Brilliant and easy to work with gets you booked again.
Why These Mistakes Cost You Bookings
Every mistake on this list comes down to professionalism, and professionalism is exactly what organizers are judging when they decide who to invite back or recommend to a colleague.
Every one of these is fixable before your next engagement. If you want a stage to practise on, check our upcoming competitions.
Which of these have you seen from the audience? I know you have a story :)
Keep reading: What Event Planners Actually Look for When Booking a Speaker · How to Get Over Stage Fright: What Experienced Speakers Do Differently · How to Get Booked for Corporate Speaking Gigs
Your Next Step
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