3 Steps to Ensure Your Presentation Enraptures Your Audience To engage your listeners even during a virtual presentation, speak to their past, present and future.

As a business owner or entrepreneur, you are your business's best and most impactful marketing tool. Your ability to draw in others to engage them in your message — whether it's about your business or otherwise — can make the difference between active or disinterested listeners.

Regardless of whether you are pitching to investors, presenting to a prospective client, or giving the annual state of the business report, how well you start your presentation will garner interest or incite boredom.

Think about a presentation you have seen or one you've delivered that achieved the former, then think of your answer to this question: Why was it so effective?