New trick to illicit applause

I give briefings on a nearly daily basis. They are usually lively and upbeat, but some are deeply informative and job specific- not generally as 'applause' worthy as the others. I hate to leave any stage/podium without applause, so I found a little trick that has worked everytime since I started using it.

When I finish my final statement, I clasp my hands together (one time, generating a clapping sound), wave goodbye and say thanks. It looks very natural.

This single sound of a handclap subliminally triggers the audience to follow suit.

If the audience is applauding, the listeners now have a warmer feeling about the material than if it was dead when you leave.

My two cents...

[PCarahan]

Hey that is useful! Thanks for the tip!

-Paul Carahan

wouldn't that be too noticeable? i mean people will know u want hem to clap and applause for you..and which i think at the same time, its too embarrassing if they noticed what you want from them..anyways good tips for a more informal presentation though!

[SimonR]

and one of the earliest identified "ClapTraps". It's not something I recommend to my clients - but neither is it something I disparage...

Essentially, our company position is that this kind of thing draws attention to the presentation as a presentation. What's important is not (well, should not be) the presentation itself at all: rather, the critical thing is the audience. Having a warm feeling about things is all well and good but it doesn't improve Penetration and it doesn't improve Retention.

These are your critical metrics, not volume of applause.

Volume of applause is what egotists measure - people who are presentating for thes sake of presenting, not presenting for the sake of their audience!

That said, there's a time and a place, obviously!

S