Last updated on Jul 4, 2024

Here's how you can learn from a presentation that didn't go well.

Every presenter knows the sting of a presentation that doesn't quite hit the mark. It's a moment filled with self-doubt and disappointment, but it's also ripe with opportunity for growth. When you find yourself reflecting on a presentation that didn't go as planned, it's essential to approach the situation with a mindset geared towards learning and improvement. By dissecting the experience and extracting lessons, you can turn a seeming setback into a powerful stepping stone for your future presentations.

1 Reflect Honestly

The first step after a less-than-stellar presentation is to engage in honest reflection. Ask yourself what specifically didn't go as intended. Was it the content, delivery, audience engagement, or perhaps timing? Recognize your emotions about the situation but don't let them cloud your analysis. It's crucial to pinpoint the areas that need improvement without being overly critical of yourself. This constructive self-assessment sets the foundation for making tangible changes in your future presentations.

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D'Arcy James

Pre-Sales Consultant | Verisk
(edited)
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Watch back your presentations. In my experience, the way you perceive a presentation is often very different to how its seen by the viewer. By watching it back you place yourself in the position the viewer removing some of your internal bias as to how it 'felt'. You may find it went better than expected, or you may pinpoint areas for improvement where you didn't expect they were needed.

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Preksha Porwal

Digital Transformation Consultant/Analyst, Solutions Sales enablement, Business Optimization Framework Specialist
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Reflect Honestly: Analyze what went wrong and identify specific areas for improvement. Gather Feedback: Seek constructive feedback from your audience and colleagues. Identify Patterns: Look for recurring issues in your presentations to address them systematically. Adjust Content: Revise your content to make it clearer, more engaging, and better tailored to your audience. Practice More: Rehearse to build confidence and improve delivery. By reflecting, gathering feedback, and making adjustments, you can turn a poor presentation into a valuable learning experience.

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2 Seek Feedback

Once you've reflected on your own, reach out to others for their perspectives. This can be colleagues who were present or even members of your audience if appropriate. Constructive criticism can provide insights that you might have missed, and different viewpoints can help you understand the diverse reactions of your audience. Remember, feedback is not a reflection of your worth but a tool for growth. Embrace it with an open mind and a resolve to use it to enhance your presentation skills.

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Hrushikesh Desai

CA Finalist (AIR-25) | Building Park-Tech | Investment Banking | Digital Creator | Private Equity | M&A | Ex-RSM |
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Getting feedback from peers and working on it helps one improve. Personally, I was eager to hear feedback after every presentation - - I might learn a new perspective, as the view point of the listener should always be considered. - I understand where I could have been more impactful and where I lost the audience. - I would improve areas which weren't paid attention to.

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3 Analyze Content

Take a closer look at the content of your presentation. Was it clear and well-structured? Did it resonate with the audience? Sometimes, the issue may stem from too much information or complex concepts that weren't fully explained. Consider whether your main points were compelling and if your supporting data effectively backed them up. Refining your content for clarity and impact is often one of the most straightforward adjustments to make for future success.

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4 Improve Delivery

Delivery can make or break a presentation. Assess your pacing, body language, and voice modulation. Were you speaking too quickly, or were your nerves apparent? Practice is key to improving delivery. You might record yourself to observe habits that you're not aware of during the live presentation. Working on these aspects can significantly boost your confidence and help you connect better with your audience next time.

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5 Engage Audience

Audience engagement is crucial for a successful presentation. Reflect on whether you established a rapport with your audience and kept their attention throughout. Did you use questions, interactive elements, or storytelling effectively? Learning how to read the room and adapt on the fly is an advanced skill but essential for keeping your audience invested in what you have to say. Consider incorporating more interactive techniques or real-life examples to make your content more relatable and engaging.

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6 Plan Ahead

Finally, use your newfound insights to plan your next presentation. Set clear objectives and think about strategies that will address the issues you identified. Whether it's altering your preparation routine, tweaking your slides, or adopting new engagement tactics, having a concrete plan will give you direction and confidence. Remember, every presentation is a learning opportunity, and with deliberate practice and reflection, you'll continue to grow as a compelling presenter.

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D'Arcy James

Pre-Sales Consultant | Verisk
(edited)
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Don't overwhelm yourself with 'improvements' from presentation to presentation. Give yourself 2 things to focus on in your next one. These can be as differnt as a new slide, or as simple as making sure to pause after an impactful statement. By making a couple of changess each time, you make them easier to remember and therefore more natural. You can also see which changes work and which don't. If you improve your presentations by at least 1% everytime, it'll stack up faster than you think!

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Michael Esan

Ex-Audit Intern at KPMG Nigeria | Financial Services Industry | Visual Designer | FMVA®, CBCA™, AAT
(edited)
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Explore techniques and resources: There are many resources available to help you improve your presentation skills, such as books, online courses, and workshops. Personally, I watch a number of TED talks, and podcasts per week. This is another way of getting better with your presentations. Suffice it to say that you should look for techniques that resonate with you and incorporate them into your preparation and delivery.

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Here's how you can learn from a presentation that didn't go well.

1

2

3

4

5

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7

1 Reflect Honestly

2 Seek Feedback

3 Analyze Content

4 Improve Delivery

5 Engage Audience

6 Plan Ahead

7 Here’s what else to consider

Presentations

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Here's how you can learn from a presentation that didn't go well.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Reflect Honestly

2 Seek Feedback

3 Analyze Content

4 Improve Delivery

5 Engage Audience

6 Plan Ahead

7 Here’s what else to consider

Presentations

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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