• Start Strong--Begin your meeting with an enthusiastic greeting. The impression you make in the first 5 seconds of a conference determines how receptive and attentive your audience will be.

• Keep it Structured--Outline the agenda for the meeting. This lets participants know what's coming, and keeps them on track with the presenter.

• Stay Focused--Keep on track with your agenda. It's a good idea to write the topics you want to highlight in large letters on a piece of paper, and place it where you can see it during the entire call. If a question arises on a different subject, suggest that it be discussed at the end of the meeting, after planned topics have been addressed, and return to the topic at hand.

• Keep it "Bite-Sized"--Try to format your discussion of different topics into clear, concise points which are easy to follow.  

• Watch the Clock--Keep an eye on the length of your meeting, and be considerate of others' time.

• Ask for Input--Periodically ask participants for their opinion on the subject at hand. Choose someone out by name instead of asking for "comments from the gallery". This simple technique helps you gauge how well your message is getting across, and other participants will pay more attention if they know they might be called on for input!

• In Closing.--Be clear when your presentation is ending. Recap the highlights of the meeting, clearly restate any goals or expectations you have for them, and formally end the meeting.

• Keep the Finished Product in Mind--Take advantage of special services your teleconferencing provider might offer. Consider having an operator monitor your call for unwanted background noise, and to insure that a presentation can proceed without interruptions. If your presentation is to be rebroadcast or stored into a voicemail system, make use of editing services to ensure that the audience hears you in top form.

In addition, make a point to remind your call participants that there are some rules everyone should stick to for the success of the meeting:

• Be on time--Holding up any meeting is inconsiderate.

• Mute Buttons--When callers are not speaking, request that they use the "Mute" button on their phones and pick up the handset when they do wish to speak. Background noise disrupts the meeting for everyone, and may prevent participants from hearing the information they need.

• Don't Put Your Conference on Hold--When using 800 Meet-Me services, if participants leave a call to answer another line or to three-way in another person, they will play their hold music or messages into the conference, so that the meeting cannot continue until they return.

• Identify Yourself--Ask that each participant state their name when they begin speaking. Not all callers will be able to identify others by the sound of their voice, especially if they use a speakerphone or cellular phone.