If quarterly earnings report conference calls pose your main point of contact with shareholders you'll want to make the most of your phone time. Some tips from the experts at
Premiere Conferencing:
Strive for Clarity. Use a handset or headset rather than speakerphone. Eliminate background noise andconduct a sound check before the event.
Amplify your voice. Roughly 15% louder than your ordinary phone voice, that is. To make your talk more natural, use the same gestures and body language you would if
you were presenting in person. If it helps, stand while you speak.
Make "ear contact." Hold listeners' attention by addressing them directly with comments such as, "I'm sure many of you on the line experience the same thing in your
office..."
Break the monotony. It's natural for phone listeners to lose interest after hearing the same voice for10 minutes. Counter this by using summary breaks, and strategic
pauses. To add vocal variety, make the presentation a team effort.
Make it visual. Supplement the call by sending handouts (e.g., press releases, positioning statements, fact sheets, etc.) to participants ahead of time. Refer to
specific pages during your presentation. Or, consider Webcasting a software demo or Powerpoint presentation to coincide with the event.
(http://www.premconf.com; 800/234-2546)