Don’t drink more than the minimum beforehand

Don’t start ‘ladies & Gents… it’s a pleasure….’

Don’t try to memorise your speech

Don’t start until you audience has your attention/is settled/is quiet

Don’t mumble.

Don’t speak in a monotone

Don’t look at your watch

Don’t rush it. You have rehearsed… keep to that speed

Don’t repeat yourself/words or phrases more than you must

Correct a stumble unless it is crucial

Avoid bad taste

Avoid cliches

Avoid jokes if you are not good at them

Avoid dirty jokes other than in the most appropriate company

Don’t make the audience the butt of a joke

Don’t fidget/throw your chalk up and down/divert the audience’s attention

Don’t use obvious phrases, e.g. ‘there are three points…1…2… and of course 3’.

Don’t say ‘one one hand… the on the other’

Point out your own mistakes

Don’t exhibit false modesty or bravado

Don’t put your hands on your hips/in your pockets

Don’t point at your audience

Don’t make references that will be understood a minority of the audience

Don’t stray far from your script/cue cards

Avoid being more technical than is really necessary

Avoid unnecessary detail

Avoid unnecessary repetition

Avoid sounding opinionated

Don’t overrun you agreed time

Don’t overstay your welcome