How to Avoid Losing Your Audience on Stage

A few years ago, I was sitting in the back of a sales regional meeting, waiting for my turn to speak. It was a big room, filled with energy and caffeine-fueled professionals eager to learn and connect. The speaker before me took the stage, and I was curious to see how he would set the tone. But as he began, I could feel the energy shift.

Cue the attention breakers

At first, the audience was engaged, but slowly—almost imperceptibly—the room started to change. People checked their phones. Some whispered to their neighbors. A few began staring blankly at the back wall. The speaker was giving good information, but something wasn’t clicking.

I wasn’t judging him—I’ve been there. In fact, I probably looked exactly like that speaker early in my career. But as I sat there, I realized something critical: even the most prepared and well-meaning speaker can lose their audience if they fall into certain traps.

When it was finally my turn to speak, I knew I had to win the room back. I didn’t want to just deliver my message—I wanted to connect with them. And that’s what this post is all about: how to avoid the attention-breakers that can derail your message and keep your audience engaged from start to finish.

1. Wearing a Hat on Stage

Let’s start with one of my personal quirks: hats on stage. I know this might sound old-fashioned, but hats create a barrier—literally and figuratively. They often cast shadows over your eyes, which are one of the most important tools for building trust and connection.

I learned this lesson early on when a mentor told me, “Jason, your audience can’t trust you if they can’t see your eyes.” Since then, I’ve left the hats at home, and it’s made a noticeable difference in how I connect with audiences.

Takeaway: Let your eyes do the talking. Eye contact is key to creating a genuine connection.

2. Reintroducing Yourself After an Introduction

The emcee just gave you a warm introduction, the audience is primed, and then you walk on stage and say, “Hi, I’m Jason Reitz, and I’m a speaker…” Cue the collective groan.

Those first moments on stage are precious—you have the audience’s undivided attention. Repeating what the emcee just said wastes time and momentum. Instead, dive right into your message with a compelling story, question, or statement.

What to do instead: Use the first few seconds to grab their attention and set the tone. They already know who you are—show them why they should listen.

3. Testing the Microphone or Commenting on the Setup

Nothing screams “unprepared” like walking on stage and tapping the microphone. “Can you hear me okay?” Or squinting into the lights and saying, “Wow, these are bright!”

Trust me, I understand the nerves that come with stepping into the spotlight. But by the time you’re on stage, these details should be squared away. Your job is to focus on delivering value, not troubleshooting the AV setup.

Pro Tip: Test your tech beforehand. When you step on stage, start strong and confident—you’ll set the tone for your entire talk.

4. Using a “Look at Me” Slide Deck

Slides are a tool, not the main event. One of the quickest ways to lose an audience is to make your slides all about you: your credentials, your accolades, your photo ops with big-name people.

Your audience already assumes you’re qualified to be there. They want to know how you can help them.

What to do instead: Sprinkle your credentials naturally throughout your talk. Let your stories and examples demonstrate your expertise rather than telling them outright.

5. Lack of Logical Flow

Have you ever listened to a speaker who seemed to jump from one topic to another with no rhyme or reason? It’s like being on a roller coaster without a seatbelt—you don’t know where you’re going, and you just want to get off.

Your audience needs a clear structure to follow. Without it, they’ll tune out—and you’ll lose the opportunity to deliver your message.

Pro Tip: Outline your talk in advance. Does each point build on the last? Does your conclusion tie back to your opening? A logical flow keeps your audience engaged and invested.

6. Low Energy or Monotone Delivery

If you’re not excited about your message, why should your audience be? A monotone delivery or lack of enthusiasm signals to your audience that you don’t care—and if you don’t care, they won’t either.

How to fix it: Bring passion to your presentation. Vary your tone, pace, and volume. Use body language to emphasize your points. Show your audience that you’re fully invested in the message you’re delivering.

7. Text-Heavy, Uninspired Slides

We’ve all seen them: slides crammed with text that no one wants to read. When your audience is busy squinting at your slides, they’re not listening to you.

Pro Tip: Use slides to enhance your message, not distract from it. Keep them simple, visual, and impactful. A single image or word can often say more than an entire paragraph.

The Reality of Speaking

As I watched that speaker at the sales meeting, I realized he wasn’t doing anything wrong. But he wasn’t fully connecting, either. And that’s the heart of the matter: great communication isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection.

Here’s the truth: I’ve made every one of these mistakes at some point in my career. I’ve worn hats on stage. I’ve reintroduced myself. I’ve delivered talks with slides so dull even I got bored. But I’ve worked hard to learn, grow, and improve.

When I stepped up to speak after that sales presentation, I made a conscious choice: I wasn’t going to judge the previous speaker. Instead, I was going to do everything I could to reengage the room. I started with a story that pulled them in, spoke directly to their challenges, and stayed focused on them.

By the end of my talk, the room felt different. It wasn’t about me—it was about the connection we’d built together.

Let’s Raise the Bar Together

So now it’s your turn. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or just starting out, take a moment to reflect on your habits. Are there attention-breakers you can avoid? Are there ways you can elevate your energy, visuals, or delivery?

And if you’re part of an audience, offer constructive feedback to the speakers in your life. Together, we can all raise the bar and create more meaningful connections from the stage.

Keep speaking, keep growing, and keep connecting.

By Jason Raitz - CEO, Speak with People  With over 25 years of experience, Jason has spoken from stages across the country, inspiring and motivating his audiences with stories, laughter, and practical tools to succeed. Book Jason for your next conference or workshop.