Welcome back to my series “The Power Presenter.” Topics I hope you can relate to when it comes to delivering in front of any audience.
We’ve all been there. The meeting, the keynote, the Zoom.
A presenter launches into a slide deck and… we check out.
Not because the information isn’t valuable.
But because it’s delivered like a textbook read aloud.
Here’s the truth: Being informative isn’t enough.
If you want to be the kind of presenter people actually remember, you have to balance information with entertainment.
I coach executives on this all the time through our program “A Brand New You.” For some reason, many in corporate America beleive the most important thing is how much information you can put on a slide. I call that a “data dump.” And I can tell you with certainty that, no matter how great your stuff really is. It’s just content without real delivery.
In short, you’re not just delivering content—you’re performing it.
That doesn’t mean you need to juggle or tell jokes.
It means your audience is watching with two questions in mind:
- Is this relevant to me?
- Is this holding my attention?
Answering “yes” to both is the magic zone.
If you focus only on content, you become a newsreader.
If you focus only on energy, you risk coming off as fluff.
Great presenters inform and entertain—at the same time. I was an anchor / host on network television for nearly two decades and not once did I write a script without thinking about how I was doing to present it. So here’s two things to remember.
Think Like a Producer
Your presentation is your show. You’re the host.
That means you control the tempo. The tone. The moments of emphasis. The intentional pauses.
It’s not about overacting—it’s about owning the room and guiding the experience.
What’s your opening hook?
Where are your “lean in” moments?
Do you build to something, or are you simply “going through it”?
Energy is Contagious
People remember how you made them feel more than what you said.
Show passion. Vary your voice – cadence is important. Move with purpose. Use the space.
If you’re virtual, your camera presence matters more than ever. Eye contact. Framing. Background. Lighting. These are signals of preparation and presence.
My Pro Tip: The Audience is Rooting for You
Most presenters walk on stage assuming people are skeptical.
In reality, your audience wants to be engaged. They want to be inspired. They want to learn something meaningful.
So take the pressure off. They’re not your critics—they’re your community.
Bottom Line: Speak to Be Heard and Felt
Don’t just give people data. Give them an experience.
Make it clear, make it useful, and make it land.
The best presenters teach something. But they also spark something. And that is huge.
Do that—and people won’t just remember what you said.
They’ll remember you!