Many people make the mistake of thinking “wow, it’s only a conference call. I don’t have to prepare or rehearse because it’s no big deal.” Wrong!
It can be even more challenging to present your ideas on a conference call, because your audience is distracted by so many things beyond your control. You must be more interesting and engaging on a conference call than in a face-to-face talk.
For starters, have something interesting to say right from the beginning. Next, don’t simply dump data. You can send people an email if all you have is data to dump.
Whatever you do, don’t read documents on a conference call. If your lawyers insist on legal gobbledygook being read, then make them read it. There is no sense in ruining your reputation just so a lawyer can feel powerful.
Don’t forget that when you talk on a conference call, you still must fulfill the basic objectives of any presentation. You must have a clear and simple water cooler message and you must accomplish four things with your audience: 1. Speak so that people understand you. 2. Remember your message. 3. Take the actions that you request, and 4. Tell other people what you said.
While you are on the conference call, give it you total focus. That means get off the internet, turn off your TV, and stop typing letters. Instead, give the call your 100 percent focus. Really listen to what other participants or questioners have to say. Engage.
If you give the call your best efforts than you will get the most back from listeners on the other end of the phone.
More Insights from TJ Walker & Jess Todtfeld
http://www.tjwalker.com and http://www.SpeakingInsider.com
