Does your audience sometimes seem to be more interested in their email and text messages than in your presentation? Here are some tips to subtly, and obviously, remove distractions.
- Make a show of turning off your cellphone or text device just before you speak. This will cue others to do the same.
- Start by acknowledging the pressures of the outside world. Let your audience know how long you’ll be speaking and why they should stay involved.
- Ask questions of people in the audience and call on people by name if possible. If they know they’re expected to respond they are more likely to stay focused on you.
- Ask the person who is hosting the meeting to make an announcement. The audience is more likely to listen to their manager than to an outside party.
