Yes Jeff, that's my fear too. Frankly - the backchannel (and backnoise) are really only present, if even dominant, in tech and social media conferences. Corporate audiences wouldn't know what we are talking about. And that's still 90% of the meeting/conference audience. We're in for interesting times ahead in the communications and meeting business. Bert

Thanks Tom. Whether they are given 30 minutes or 10 minutes, all speakers need to think of the experience they are creating for their audience. They are responsible. BackNoise, or #hashtags, may or may not help - the speaker must handle it to fit the time frame. Bert

Thanks for the comments Thom - they mean a lot coming from a forward leaner like you. Bert

Right on Liz. Communicating for action! Bert

I've been away, so haven't responded to the comments. And just reading them I wanted to respond to each one - either thanking (agreement!) or justifying (disagreements). But then I just reread the blog, and it's all there and in the links. Time will tell in within a year about Obama's longevity as a skillful communicator. Bert

Thanks Lisa. There are many Twitter helps, but few that really put forth the unique potential of the medium.

Lenny, I think it would be useful, and also a lot of work. People should always be looking for stories from their life. That is the best source - our lives are amazing if we see them through a story tellers eyes. Stories come from experiences - and each of us have at least one if not several experiences a day that are worthy of amplification, drama, insight and meaning. And think OPE, or Other People's Experiences. One should keep one's ears open to the interesting and meaningful stories, or anecdotes that can be expanded to story, of others. Thanks for your comment. Let me know when you have a site up. Bert

Great post: Yes, big win for Facebook. Twitter didn't lose exactly. Just helped the momentum for making the SocMed communication medium legitimate and an essential channel. And I'll use Facebook a lot more actively. @BertDecker and http://www.facebook.com/BertDecker

Mike and Jonathan, Appreciate your comments - and appreciate you taking the time to amplify the message of this post. Thanks, Bert

Olivia, I am glad that you agree that emotional impact is important and that the way a speaker comes across has impact. It is the 'amount' of impact that we disagree on - I think it is profound. You emphasize content - and it is of course the message we want to get across when speaking. Yet most people block believability in their content by their behavior. 30 years experience says so! Best, Bert

Mehrabian's study is a STUDY that has to do with communication dynamics in many situations. And John, we're all public speaking all the time (except in our heads.) Anyway, don't discount his essential finding, and don't just believe Wikipedia - made up by people who have biases. I have mine. See: http://www.deckerblog.com for a complete other opinion on Mehrabian's findings. Mehrabian should not be debunked, but just interpreted correctly. Bert @BertDecker

Hey Glenn - right on about Point Of View. (Did you think I'd say anything else?) I'd add "What value am I giving to the Tweet reader." Bert

Hi Glenn, Great comments. 1. Think of using Black Slides instead of the "B" key. (Search for "Black Slides" on blog for method. 2. I think the "speaking skills" in an interview has tremendous impact at the unconscious level. Thanks, Bert

Harwinder, There is a lot being written on live Twitter posts - most in the Twitterverse do not emphasize the distraction. There are a couple of posts here - search Twitter on this blog and you'll find them. Bert

Hi Brandon, Saw from your website and preaching that you 'get it' in communicating. May God bless your work. Bert @BertDecker

Hi Allan, Thanks for your comments - I searched for you but couldn't find much under MyllsWyck but found your name and blog. Good material, and I think you'd be interested in the "Black Slides" link above for your clients. Bert @BertDecker

Good point Scott, and many realize it is fiction. My concern is that the majority will think it is fact. What I do like is that it elevates the importance of behavior and body language in ALL our communications - and we all have to be more discerning. As Angie says, it makes us learn. Bert

Great. Glad to have you repost this - spread the word! Bert

Good to hear from you Les (I'm still planning on that Mehrabian post - soon.) I'll look at bit torrent - but how is that show doing in Australia. Surprisingly it will be renewed here - but then the U.S. loves Hollywood! Bert

Thanks Gary, I'm looking at Lie To Me as I type, and am again aghast at how Hollywood techniques can convince people that this fiction can be truth. And I have the same view of Bill O'Reilly's expert - she is way off the mark. (He should have us on!) People should make the unconscious conscious, but realize there are a lot of variables. Bert

Sure. Video can be embedded in PowerPoint, so it's easy. If that's what you mean. Bert

Jeff, Joan, DeAnna and Alan - thanks for adding to the conversation. Good thoughts. This subject is important and I hunch will get lots of diverse opinion before it settles out (in a year or so...) Obviously most important - speakers be intentional on what they want to accomplish, and be ABLE to engage their audience. Bert

Good point Jeff, and you probably are in the minority OF TWITTERERS, but in the great majority of non twitter business folks. One web2.0 Twitter said he considers 2% of his actual audience, and 98% of his 'outside' audience. I wouldn't want to be in his real audience (and in this case not sure I want to see the tweets.) More on this coming. Thanks, Bert

Good points Lindsey, and I'm going to add my recent experience that reflects much of what you say. But what's the "backtory angle?" Bert