This proved to be very thought provoking and beneficial, not just for me, but how I viewed the other presenters.

One presenter opened with a "death by Powerpoint" joke. I'm sure I was the only one who got it. It's the only thing I can remember for his presentation.

I'd cut my slide show to the bone, a quarter of its original size, trying to just give them something they'd remember. I also thought about hostility. This wasn't so much about my message but who I was. A city slicker telling a country audience how to suck eggs. So I added one slide at the end about me and that I was more connected to their town than they imagined.

I'm usually a relaxed and energetic public speaker, but I was trying something different so I was nervous.

Once I finished, I felt it had gone badly. Monitoring the audience while speaking? It's not easy.

Then people started taking out their phone to photograph my last slide - my contact details. I was surprised.

At the end, 3 or 4 approached me wanting to talk more; it's usually one at best. They'd really responded to the "personal" section I'd added.

The main insight for me was speakers often waffle on to make themselves feel comfortable, to be in tuned with their own rhythm. I'd disrupted myself in order to try and match the rhythm of the audience. I felt uncomfortable, but it was better for the audience.

This comment has gone on long enough but their are many more thoughts.

Thanks for a great article that really made a difference.