Why Some Messages Fail to Land—and What the Best Communicators Do Differently

You’ve seen it happen. Maybe it’s happened to you.

Someone steps up to present. They’re clearly knowledgeable. They’ve done the work. They’re confident…enough.

Yet, halfway through, people’s eyes glaze over. They check their phones. They nod politely but stop listening.

This disconnect isn’t just frustrating—it’s costly. It can mean lost opportunities, overlooked ideas, and misunderstood leadership.

So why does it happen?

After more than 25 years coaching professionals—from founders to Fortune 500 executives—I’ve seen this pattern again and again in high-stakes communication:

Most speakers prepare for what they want to say, but not with enough focus on what their audience is already thinking and feeling.

And that’s often the missing link in effective communication.

That one shift in preparation—focusing deeply on the audience’s mental and emotional state—can completely change how your public speaking lands.

If your message isn’t sticking, the problem isn’t always your content. It’s often your connection.

Here are a few key communication patterns to watch for if you want to improve your presentation skills and speak with greater impact:

1. The audience isn’t a blank slate.

They walk in with assumptions, pressure, skepticism, and distractions.

If you don’t acknowledge or account for those early on, their minds will wander back to those concerns, no matter how strong your content is.

Tip (for audience engagement): Ask yourself, “What’s their mood walking into this room?” and “What are they afraid might be true about what I’m going to say?” This kind of audience analysis is foundational to effective public speaking.

2. Clarity isn’t always enough. You also need relevance.

Your message can be structured well and logically sound, but if your audience doesn’t see its immediate relevance to their goals or challenges, they won’t stay engaged.

Tip: Before presenting your solution, articulate the problem using their language—even better if you can describe it better than they can. That’s when people feel seen, which builds trust and connection.

If you want to know how to engage an audience, start by addressing what they care about before you introduce what you care about.

3. Confidence matters—but it has to be calibrated.

Overconfidence can come across as arrogance. Underconfidence creates uncertainty and disengagement.

This is one of the most common challenges in executive communication—finding the balance between authority and relatability.

Tip: Prepare not just your content, but your nervous system. Regulate your energy so your delivery feels grounded and intentional. Confident speaking starts from the inside out.

4. Your body language often tells a different story than your words.

You might be saying the right things, but if your gestures, posture, or expressions contradict your message—even subtly—your audience will pick up on the dissonance.

Tip (on body language for speakers): Practice on video. Pay attention to where your body or face “leak” hesitation or overcompensate for nerves. Adjust with simple, congruent movements.

Nonverbal communication is critical to building credibility and trust.

5. Rehearsing isn’t the same as reading aloud.

Reading your script over and over won’t prepare you for the energy and unpredictability of live communication. People don’t just need to hear your message—they need to feel your conviction.

Tip (on how to improve your presentation): Rehearse at full energy, out loud, standing and moving with intention. Repetition isn’t enough—you need embodiment.

This is especially true in high-stakes speaking situations, like media interviews, investor pitches, or keynote presentations.

Mastering communication isn’t about chasing perfection.

It’s about being strategic, fully present, and deeply audience-aware.

That’s what allows great communicators to earn attention, not just demand it.

If you’ve ever left a presentation or pitch wondering, “Why didn’t that land?”—this might be the missing piece.

If you’re ready to go deeper, I’ve put the most essential tools, frameworks, and preparation techniques I teach into several self-paced programs. 

They’re practical and designed to help you communicate in a way that does justice to your expertise and vision.

Get the details at https://lisaelia.com/courses

When your delivery matches the value of your ideas, everything changes.

This article was written by Lisa Elia, a media trainer, public speaking and presentation trainer, communication expert, and speaker. As the founder of Expert Media Training and LisaElia.com, over the past 25 years she has prepared clients for high-stakes speeches, investor pitches, and presentations, and interviews with media outlets that include The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, ESPN, and hundreds of others. 

To check out Lisa’s online courses, visit https://lisaelia.com/courses. Contact her at [email protected]