Now that The Backchannel book has been out for a little while, what’s the backchannel saying about it? Check out some of the recent reviews:
From Richard Pachter, “Two Books Present Useful Thoughts on Presentations”, Miami Herald:
“Atkinson, who wrote an earlier book on PowerPoint, shows how savvy presenters, hosts and participants can use this crosstalk, chatter and snark to extend and expand their own presentations into full-blown participatory multimedia experiences.”
From Carmine Gallo, “Use Twitter in Your Next Presentation”, Business Week.com:
“Instead of ignoring your audience’s posts, follow presentation guru Cliff Atkinson’s advice to acknowledge and include them.”
From Irene Knokh, :
“Cliff’s strongest point through the book is his emphasis on understanding the learner and today’s audience. The situations he describes, however, don’t just apply to today’s unique target audience. Much of his advice is applicable to anyone who presents or teaches -whether every day or once a year. I found this book tremendously useful for my own workshops, in learning how to filter negative and positive feedback, and immediately applying such concepts as “the Law of Two Feet” and “dispense with pretense.”
From Jill Aggersbury at Golden Gate Computer Society, May 2010 Periodical:
“Each chapter takes on a part of the Backchannelling process, and I think this book is essential for people who give presentations. It shows how to embrace the new technology, how to be prepared, and I particularly like the fact that it shows how to integrate Twitter into a presentation.”
From Thomas ‘Duffbert’ Duff at :
“I expected (the book) to be a basic “here’s Twitter, and did you know people tweet about you when you talk?” volume. I was wrong. I hadn’t considered managing the backchannel to the degree that Atkinson explains, but I now see how it’s possible and how it’s beneficial to do so.”
From Paul Baker, “The Backchannel: The elephant in the room”, :
“..speakers can learn how to use the backchannel conversation as a rich source of information that can engage the audience and improve the presentation.”
From by vdebolt at :
“Presenters everywhere need to read this book.” 4 stars
From Rob Cottingham, “Public speakers, Cliff Atkinson has your back… channel”, :
“(Cliff) blends well-told stories (and a few cautionary tales) from key moments in the backchannel’s development with solid, practical advice for speakers who want to join the conversation – as well as event organizers who want to make that conversation as productive as possible. And the technical know-how Atkinson offers – such as an introduction to Twitter and a discussion of tools for monitoring backchannel conversations – is solid.”
From Meryl K. Evans, “Meet a Presenter’s Nightmare (or Friend): The Backchannel”, :
“The Backchannel targets presenters more than audience members, although audience members can also benefit from the book’s insights. The next time you make a presentation or join a panel, you can either be prepared for the backchannel or let it take over.”
Other reviews
Mashable
by Olivia Mitchell
Using the Four Tweets in your technical writing
by Scott on Communications from DMN
by Roy Temple
by Ian D. Griffin
by Dwayne Melancon
Professionally Speaking
by Ian
