Investors will hang on every word when Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke addresses the Fed's Jackson Hole symposium at 10 a.m.
I found the headline amusing because in my book, The Exceptional Presenter, I wrote that unless you are the current Chairman of the Federal Reserve, people are not hanging on your every word.
If you are not the Chairman of the Fed you have to work very hard to keep drawing the attention of your audience back to you and your topic.
Here are three tips to keep your audience hanging on "almost" every word you say:
1) Do your homework. Find out the interests, concerns and issues of the audience. If it's relevant, it's interesting.
2) Involve your audience early and often. Use their names, ask them questions, elicit feedback. Make their involvement a part of the presentation.
3) Deliver your message with PASSION. Passion creates enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is contagious. An energized audience tends to stay focused and involved.
Own the Room! Do whatever it takes to make sure your audience stays engaged and leaves the meeting remembering your one, two or three key points.
Your posture speaks volumes about your level of comfort, confidence and preparedness.