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One of the most important aspects of a conference call is interaction. It’s probably one of the reasons that you opted for a conference call instead of just recording an audio presentation to distribute. Yet it can be somewhat difficult to get your callers to participate in discussions.

It will take some effort on your part to get the conversation ball rolling. Here are some tips to help you break the ice and get your callers in on the discussion.

* Ask callers to introduce themselves as they call in. Don’t just ask them for their names, though. Ask them open-ended questions about things such as their professions or what brought them to the call. This will help break the ice and let them know that their input is valued.

* If your audience consists of business owners, allow them to include a quick plug for their businesses in their introductions. Most will jump at the chance to promote their products or services, and this will set the stage for more interaction throughout the call.

* Interact with the other speakers. Doing so will make your callers feel more comfortable expressing themselves when the time comes.

* Consider offering online chat during the call. Some prefer not to offer chat because they feel that it is distracting, but if properly moderated it can be an asset to your conference call. It allows users to ask questions as they come to mind without interrupting the speaker, and it promotes discussion among callers.

* Hold an oral question and answer session. This is a good thing to do even if you are taking questions via chat or instant message. Some people prefer to ask questions out loud instead of typing them. Hearing other callers asking questions will also encourage those who may otherwise be too shy to ask their own questions.

* Ask questions of the audience. Encourage them to share experiences that are relevant to the discussion, or ask their opinion of something. Chat comes in handy if you want to ask your callers questions, because it eliminates worries about interrupting others.

* Have a poll. Online conferencing software may allow this, or you can find inexpensive programs online that will allow you to create polls. Results will update in real time, allowing you to analyze and discuss them during the call.

Audience interaction is an important component of a conference call. It keeps your listener’s attention and makes them more likely to participate again.