We’ve all been there, stuck in the painful experience of watching a speaker trying to articulate an idea and failing miserably. Nothing makes sense, and it’s almost lunchtime. Your stomach is grumbling. At this point, they might as well be speaking Martian because your mind is already on the chicken Caesar salad you’ll be devouring in ten minutes.

Presenting to investors or potential clients used to wreak havoc on our nerves because of situations like this one. Thankfully, the fear of being “that person” no longer keeps us up at night. We want you to sleep just as soundly.

Here is our simple trick: communication is most effective when it’s interactive and multisensory.

The more visual support you use when communicating, the greater the likelihood your audience will be able to appreciate your message. Also, the ability to create varying kinds of visuals that resonate with your listeners’ different sensibilities is key. This is where a whiteboard becomes your best friend.

If some of your listeners don’t understand the diagram you just presented, perhaps drawing a chart or a list on the spot will convey your message better. This interactive approach to communication makes your dialogue with listeners more engaging and dynamic. A PowerPoint presentation or a memo doesn’t offer you this kind of adaptability, but a whiteboard does.

Many people underestimate the importance of actively illustrating their message. It’s a small change that can improve the reception of your ideas in large and meaningful ways. It allows you to break down your concepts into simple steps when conveying them to a third party. Drawing maps, charts, or illustrations also gives you greater alignment with your ideas as they are unfolding.

These little strategies can make or break your performance. Remember, you don’t just want to have a clear message; you want to have an irresistible one, a message your listeners can’t help but welcome with open arms.

This article is an excerpt from the book “The Whiteboard: Go from Blank Canvas to a Productive, Leveraged, & Highly-Profitable Business” by Chris Haddon and Jason Balin. Please click here to see more.