It has long been suggested that to become a more dynamic presenter, one should picture the audience in their underwear. In many cases, however, it’s the presenter who gets dressed down for an uninspiring performance.

For all the strides the world has made with multimedia software, some speakers still rely on overhead projectors as their visual aid. Talk about having one foot in the dark ages. The truth is, you could have the gorgeous looks of Eva Longoria, the booming voice of James Earl Jones, and the smarts of Bill Gates, but if your presentation is little more than bullet points on a screen, you will close more eyes than you open.

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Whether you’re presenting to 50 people or 1,200, return on investment must never be measured in zzz’s, but in word-of-mouth buzz created, connections made, and sales leads generated. Successful presenters, experts contend, share three key attributes:

1. They are well rehearsed. There’s no reading from a script, staring at the big screen, or simply winging it. The best presenters move about the stage with enthusiasm and energy. And their speech works in perfect harmony with engaging, highly graphic visual aids.

2. They know their audience. Before uttering a word, a good presenter understands the general makeup of the audience and the challenges they face, as well as how he or she as a thought leader can help meet attendees’ needs.

3. They let the content speak for itself. The best presenters do not overtly sell their brand or bash the competition. They simply let the depth of their insight and advice move an audience to seek out their products and services.

The next time you present, don’t get caught with your pants down.

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