Presentation Mistakes Coaches Make (and How To Fix Them)

As a coach, your ability to present effectively can set the tone for your business's success. Whether leading a workshop, pitching your services, or speaking at a networking event, a polished presentation can position you as an authority, attract new clients, and grow your reputation. Yet, even experienced coaches often fall into common presentation traps that diminish their impact.

The good news? These mistakes are not only avoidable but fixable. Here’s a deep dive into the seven biggest presentation mistakes I notice coaches make (that I've also made in the past)—and how you can overcome them to captivate your audience and boost your coaching business.

1. Failing to Tailor Your Content to the Audience 

The Mistake: 
Delivering the same presentation to every audience, regardless of their needs or challenges.

Why It Matters: 
When your audience feels your message is generic or disconnected, they tune out. Coaching clients, especially, are seeking personalised solutions. If your content doesn’t address their specific problems, you lose their trust and interest.

The Fix: 
Before preparing your presentation, research your audience. Who are they? What challenges are they facing? If you’re speaking to new coaches, focus on business-building tips. For corporate teams, highlight leadership strategies. Use relatable examples, real-life stories, and language that resonates with their experience. Tailored content makes your presentation feel like a bespoke experience, strengthening your connection to the audience.

2. Overloading Slides with Information

The Mistake: 
Creating slides packed with text, data, and cluttered visuals.

Why It Matters:
When your slides are crammed with too much information, the audience becomes distracted and overwhelmed. Instead of listening to you, they’re trying to decipher your slides.

The Fix: 
Adopt the “less is more” philosophy. Each slide should focus on one main idea, supported by a compelling image or succinct text. Tools like Canva or Google Slides offer templates prioritising clean, professional designs. Consider using visuals like charts or graphs to simplify complex information for key data points.

Pro Tip: Use the “6x6 rule” for text: no more than six lines per slide, with no more than six words per line.

3. Lack of Structure in Your Presentation

The Mistake: 
Delivering a talk that feels like a random collection of ideas with no clear flow.

Why It Matters: 
A well-structured presentation helps your audience follow along, stay engaged, and remember your key messages. A lack of structure confuses your audience, making your points less impactful.

The Fix: 
Use a simple structure to guide your presentation:

• Introduction: Capture attention with a story, question, or surprising fact.
• Body: Present 3-5 key points, each supported by examples, statistics, or anecdotes.
• Conclusion: Summarize your takeaways and end with a clear call to action.

This framework ensures your presentation is easy to follow and leaves your audience with a memorable impression.

4. Ignoring Non-Verbal Communication

The Mistake: 
Stiff posture, lack of eye contact, or nervous gestures that detract from your message.

Why It Matters: 
Non-verbal communication—body language, gestures, and facial expressions—often speaks louder than words. If your body language doesn’t match your message, your credibility suffers.

The Fix: 
Practice confident, open body language. Stand (or sit) tall, use purposeful gestures, and make eye contact to build a connection, even if you're speaking on a video call or webinar. Practice looking into the camera lens rather than at the screen. Smiling and varying facial expressions can make you appear more approachable and engaging.

Consider recording yourself during practice to identify and improve distracting habits, like fidgeting or pacing.

5. Speaking Too Quickly or Too Slowly

The Mistake:
Rushing through your content can overwhelm the audience, and speaking too slowly can cause them to lose interest.

Why It Matters:
Your pacing directly impacts how your audience absorbs information. Speaking too quickly can make it hard for them to keep up, and talking too slowly can feel monotonous.

The Fix: 
Practice maintaining a steady, conversational pace. Use natural pauses to emphasize important points and give the audience time to process your words. Tools like a stopwatch or apps like SpeechTimer can help you fine-tune your pacing.

Pro Tip: Pause briefly after delivering a key insight. Silence gives your words weight and allows your audience to reflect.

6. Failing to Engage the Audience

The Mistake: 
Delivering a one-way lecture instead of an interactive experience.

Why It Matters: 
Audiences learn and retain information better when they’re actively engaged. A disengaged audience is unlikely to take action on your message—or hire you as a coach.

The Fix: 
Incorporate engagement techniques such as:

• Ask questions throughout your presentation.
• Include live polls or Q&A sessions.
• Use stories or scenarios to involve the audience emotionally.

Interactive tools like Slido or Mentimeter are great for in-person and virtual presentations. Encouraging audience participation keeps your presentation dynamic and memorable.

7. Ending Without a Strong Call to Action

The Mistake: 
Wrapping up your presentation with a vague conclusion leaves the audience unsure about the next steps.

Why It Matters:
A presentation without a call to action is a missed opportunity to inspire your audience and encourage them to take meaningful action.

The Fix:
End your presentation with a clear, actionable step. For example:

• “Download my free guide to...” [you're lead magnet].
• “Join my 90-day coaching program to refine your niche, create your signature coaching program, and attract a steady flow of clients.”
• “Apply these three strategies this week, and let me know your results!”

Be specific about how they can follow up, and make it easy for them to take the next step by providing links, contact information, or QR codes on your final slide or business card.

Ready to Elevate Your Presentations—and Your Business?

Avoiding these common presentation mistakes isn’t just about looking polished—it’s about building trust, delivering value, and inspiring action. Whether you’re a coach, trainer, or online creator, mastering the art of presenting yourself clearly is key to growing your business and establishing yourself as an authority.

If you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, my 90-Day Coaching Program is designed to help you:

• Hone your niche and identify your ideal clients.
• Develop a signature coaching program that showcases your expertise.
• Master strategies to attract a steady flow of clients, including presentation skills that convert.

This exclusive program includes six personalized coaching sessions. Presently, I have three spots available. This is your chance to transform your coaching business in 2025.

Ready to start? CLICK HERE to find out more and complete the application form. If I think we'll be a good fit, I'll offer you a free initial discovery call (worth £250) so you can be sure my program is right for you.

Back to the article, which of the seven presentation mistakes have you encountered, and which tips do you think will work best for you? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!