December 3, 2009

My new book “The Backchannel” now available at online retailers

by Cliff Atkinson

Buckle your presentation seatbelts, because the backchannel is coming!

I’ve spent the last part of the year writing my new book The Backchannel: How Audiences are Using Twitter and Social Media and Changing Presentations Forever, which is now available at online retailers and soon in a bookstore near you. 

The Backchannel explores the dramatic changes that are coming soon in the field of presentations.

The idea of the book was conceived at the South by Southwest Interactive Conference in March 2009, where I witnessed how audiences there were using Twitter to communicate with one another and to influence live presentations.

A week later, I had a proposal to my publisher; a week after they sent an offer; within two weeks we had a signed contract; and 7 months later the book was done – my acquisitions editor Michael Nolan tells me it was the quickest book turnaround he knows about.

We wanted to get this book out quickly because the topic is so current, and there is such strong interest in material that will help presenters engage the backchannel.

The Backchannel rests on the foundation of BBP – namely that you need to get to the point quickly and tell a clear and compelling story using words and images. 

Though your story may be the same, today audiences it is audiences who are fundamentally changing.  Instead of sitting quietly and listening to you, they have laptops and smartphones at hand when they walk into a presentation room, and they’re using  Twitter and other services to make realtime commentary about how good of a job you’re doing.

For those who use BBP, it’s more important than ever to:

1. Use old and new tools to research and connect with your audience so you tailor your material to them.
2. Define your three key points, and to make them concise enough for your audience to tweet them.
3. Take Twitter breaks after each of your key points, to let your important ideas sink in and to take the temperature of the audience.

Veteran BBP’ers will find some familiar themes in The Backchannel (the importance of hierarchy and visuals), along with some of the cutting-edge tools and techniques you need to keep your presentations fresh.

I hope you enjoy the new book, and its companion website, and look forward to hearing what you think!