Too many speakers fail to engage their virtual audience.
Some of them do not even try!
The chat box / comment box is one easy way to do it.
Here are two top tips to get an instant boost by using the chat box correctly.
Firstly…
Keep it simple for the audience in the early stages of the presentation.
Some speakers ask for too much from the audience.
And end up with nothing as a result.
For example, first time around ask a question that can be answered as a simple yes / no.
This means they don’t need to think very hard.
And they only need to type in two or three characters.
Easy thinking and easy typing means they are far more likely to do it.
Second time around, ask a question that might need slightly more thought but is still a single word answer.
This means they think a bit more.
But the typing part is still easy – and does not take long.
You want to minimise the time gap between asking and answering.
Once your audience is comfortable with the function you can ask for more.
Secondly…
Observe the responses closely – what sort of answers are coming in?
If it was a yes / no question, is there a clear winner or is it broadly equal?
Then respond verbally to the answers as they come in.
Thank the first few responders by name.
Comment on any different answers – one person will always answer a yes / no question with ‘it depends’.
Your audience wants you to engage, especially if they have shared their thoughts.
I have seen engagement drop if the speaker completely ignores the comments.
Conclusion
The chat box, used wisely, can work wonders for your engagement and the result of the overall presentation.
- Keep it simple in the early parts
- Respond to their comments
Follow these two simple tips and you’ll find yourself with a more engaged virtual audience.
For an alternative perspective in how to engage your audience – check out the following article…
