Skilled speakers understand that today's audiences have choices. Audience members are struggling with information overload - online, through listservs, Web-based meetings, e-mail, and via telephone. What they're missing from this information super highway is a face-to-face interactive experience that solidifies relationships and builds new ones.

Interactive speakers at live, in-person events are able to create memorable experiences that offer information while bonding people to each other. Speakers who facilitate interactive experiences integrate the emotional, physical, and mental facets of a person, not unlike a rock star who involves his or her concert audience.

Here are some techniques that skilled speakers use.

Emotional - by touching a person's emotions, a speaker gets audience members to relate to him or her - and each other. That's why comedy is a great equalizer. When a speaker humorously discusses human foibles, the audience can relate. The moment they laugh - and others around them laugh - a unifying interactive experience has occurred.

Physical - children's theater is the king of audience interaction and audience participation. Talented speakers use children's theater techniques to great effect. These techniques include "asides," where a speaker moves to the edge of the stage, leans over, and whispers to the audience, talking to them in confidence (usually done during a storytelling segment). The audience is invited to become an intimate friend through the actions of the speaker.

Another technique is inviting the audience to participate in an activity. For adult audiences, it's critical that there be a rationale for the action. Why am I doing this? For what purpose? Skilled speakers use the action and share the "why." This is immensely powerful.

Mental - utilizing the experiences and intellect of the audience to discuss relevant ideas is a powerful way to connect audience members and build strong networks. These interactive activities include pair discussions, groups of four or five, or a roundtable of eight. If a designated group is larger than eight people, it loses its effectiveness. These activities can be used in groups as large as 1,000 or more people. A speaker gives instructions to the group as a whole. They break into smaller groups and discuss an issue, create a list of ideas, or develop a plan. It is always timed to create tension. The group is called back to report results. Sometimes the results are collected and shared later.

This is a great way to turn passive audience members into active participants. It also gives them an opportunity to connect with each other; to meet new people and break up cliques. Speakers who are skilled facilitators should be encouraged to incorporate this technique in their programs.

Meeting planners who hire speakers who have high audience involvement techniques - whether emotional, physical, or mental - better serve the needs of their participants. Conference attendees walk away with information, positive interactive experiences, new friends, and stronger bonds with old associates. And isn't that why they came to the conference in the first place? 

A former gang member, Pegine Echevarria was inducted into a new "gang," Getmotivation. com's Motivational Speakers Hall of Fame. Receive her networking report "Go Fish for Friends, Business and Associates" at www.pegine.com or call (904) 280-8806.  

These tips should be used for informational purposes and not be considered legal advice. 

 The National Speakers Association (NSA) is the leading educational organization for professional speakers. NSA's 3,500 members include experts in a variety of industries and disciplines, who reach audiences as trainers, educators, humorists, motivators, consultants, authors, and more. As a service to meeting professionals, NSA provides resources and information on finding and working with speakers. Please visit NSA's Web site at www.nsaspeaker.org.