This is the reverse of most of the other files in this series. It's ways in which I suffered during presentations. You can try these ideas if you want your own listeners to suffer as well.
Don't be straight. You can't fool the intelligent people in your audience, and you'll lose the weaker ones as well. If you don't prepare the talk well enough, then cancel it in advance and cut your losses.
Use too many effects. You may or may not "wow" the audience with your exciting presentation. However, your message is likely to be lost in all of the action.
Read the presentation. The presentation is meant to highlight you, not to replace you. If you read the presentation to the audience, then who needs you?
Tell stories that only relate to some of the participants. Those who are "in" will laugh. Those who are "out" will know that this talk is not for them.
Drone on. You should have a time limit. If you don't have one, set one. That time limit is holy. Nothing you say after it will penetrate anyhow.
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