Comments on: How To Engage An Audience: With Bobby Mcferrin

By: sethsimonds

sethsimonds — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:32:19 +0000

Hi Allison!
I think a LOT of people really do get SM as just another conduit for
communication. It'll definitely be interesting to see what different
companies do in this space!

Mcferrin is, without a doubt, very high on the list of people I'd like to
spend an afternoon with. I love that he has enough confidence in his message
that he tells the audience to stop applauding so he can continue.
Excellent!

Thanks for stopping by!

By: Allisoncds

Allisoncds — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:56:43 +0000

As always, Seth, your writing is thought provoking.

What an excellent example you've used with Bobby McFerrin to touch on a subject much larger than an entertainer engaging an audience. This post makes me think of the big picture of ALL COMMUNICATION - especially the conspicuous evolution of social media and how businesses and the marketing industry appear to be scrambling to figure out where we're headed in this new era. I've been watching you closely because I think you get it.

You get it.

Bobby McFerrin gets it.

It's about engaging...connecting...relating on a human level. Not just sound bites or experts rambling about knowledge and experience, but human interaction, learning from each other, being inspired by each other, stimulating each other to new heights of ideas and creativity. It's about the experience.

Whether you're communicating to an audience from a stage or a computer screen, it's all about the experience created when the magical power of engagement takes over.

Kudos on another great blog post that once again engaged this reader!

Allison

By: sethsimonds

sethsimonds — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:29:58 +0000

I'm sure, with a bit of practice, you'll be one of the best!

By: Jamie Favreau

Jamie Favreau — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:35:01 +0000

I have seen the first video a few times but I haven't seen the second. He is a remarkable teacher and how engaging he is. Totally remarkable!

By: Amy Shropshire

Amy Shropshire — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:42:23 +0000

I'm an at a loss for words at how amazing this is! I have never attended a presentation where the speaker did anything but speak much less engage the audience like this in such a meaningful way. He made them a part of the presentation! I bet they were more engaged after that because they had invested part of themselves in it.

The take-away for me? Presentations aren't about the presenter. They're about how the presenter can inspire, encourage, and create community around an issue/topic. I just hope that I can remember that the next time I present!

By: sethsimonds

sethsimonds — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:09:05 +0000

You and me both, Justin.

By: justinparks

justinparks — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:00:36 +0000

Stunning. Simply stunning. Its definitely a lesson in engagement there and a lesson for us all about how to take something “normal” and make it into something very special for all those involved.

Now i just have to figure out how to do it with blogging.