How can you be a great live event moderator?

Yes, have goals, and research and great prepared questions - but also be human and flexible. Be responsive to answers that could create more interesting conversation. Don’t feel like success is in getting through your questions - rather try to recognize your own curiosity that comes up as a likely good prompt that wasn’t planned - keep up with the audience’s curiosity!

In advance: - connect with panelists by email. - circulate title - invite each speaker to offer 3 questions, replying on the same email thread so everyone sees the others three. - Do NOT set up a call in advance: you will blow all the good discussion on the call and it will feel ‘flat’ or ‘scripted’ and bore everyone. - collate the questions by speaker name into one document before the event. Don’t share this. - Add a list of linking points of your own - always hold back two spare questions that are fairly open ended and anyone can answer (see ‘end’ below) End - hold your spare two questions for the very end (this is to fill in when no one has a question from the floor - its awful asking a room and no one steps forward with a question.

These are fine ideas, but also respecting your guests' and audiences' time is critical here. If you book an hour, don't overextend by more than a few minutes - tops. Guests have other things to do, and an audience will feel trapped by FOMO. They will resent your show if you don't adhere to a strong commit to honoring the time they have given you.

make it fun....if it ain't fun for the panelist and the audience consider not doing it. its not about filling the time or hearing each other speak....its about being interesting & relevant

The best events occur when the presenters seem to have an audience of one - the moderator - and the attendees are just eavesdropping on their conversation. These events are more conversational, more authentic, and leave the attendees feeling that they've really had a chance to learn something special.

It's tempting to "wing it" once your confidence is established. Resist! Each episode and its unique audience contributes to the overall experience. Even if you're not feeling it (and you won't always), push through and make it good. Live events have a lifespan that is much longer than a simple post and you'll regret not doing a better job. Don't neglect the prep!

Knowing the tech is vitally important. Understand microphones. Demand a separate mic for each speaker. I've moderated too many sessions with not enough microphones. What TYPE of microphone? You really want wireless as it is more natural. Anything on a pedestal or base is awkward and will limit the natural conversation you are striving for. Handhelds are OK, but you tend to get feedback and audio balancing issues from non-professional speakers. Where are the confidence monitors for presentations and to watch videos (or do they exist at all). And you countdown clock. That's essential. Make sure you can see it too - I had a short moderator once that couldn't see the clock!

A great moderator is a prepared one, getting educated and doing your research on the topic of the event more, the speakers & panelists will help you in preparing unique introductions, reflections on question and answers, closures … etc that will make people perceive you as an expert too

Yes, you must do your research. But you shouldn't just research the speakers and everything about them. You need to also conduct research about the topic and collect statistics that can be actually used during the live event to get speakers to comment on actual data that applies to their industry and niche. Reminder: don't forget to use statistics only from reliable sources. You wouldn't want to include data that is not supported by proof.

From my experience failing to plan is always a plan to fail. There is an alleged legal axiom to never ask a question you don’t know the answer to. Always meet the participants before hand so they feel “safe”. It prevents nervous aggression. Know the subject and know the audience.

One thing I learned that's stuck with me ever since is never start with your name. Instead, share a compelling anecdote, highlight data or poll the audience. As a journalist, I love starting with a story, and I think it grounds the discussion for the audience.

I have found that moderating the discussion involves the audience but also listens too. It’s not about hearing yourself talk, it’s about allowing the discussion to organically evolve. People want their questions answered but if you set the ground rules for the event at the beginning then they know what to expect.

Based on this week’s many conferences in New York (Fast Co Innovation Festival and Forbes Sustainability Summit), moderators also need to show up with great fundamentals: keep your hands calm and off your face, watch verbal tics like um and uh, etc. some media training or working with a coach on executive presence is helpful, as is watching recordings of yourself. Finally, the noise in the room may cause people to rely on their eyes more than their ears for understanding, so make sure your face is unobstructed for the cameras, even when addressing panelists.

On Livestream events, guests will forget to leave comments, but getting the audience members to talk to each other is loads of fun and really amps up the energy of the audience. It's important to give the audience space to reply to prompts, and be sure to find a way to highlight as many audience members as possible somehow. Even if just to name them quickly, it makes them feel seen and included - and part of the show.

I have learned that the best panels, regardless of the skill of the moderator, are the ones where the panellists are well prepared - ideally, within a couple of weeks before the event, they have a chance to speak with each other, they are reminded of the purpose of the event and the specific panel, and also who the audience is and why they came. This prep call for the panellists is essential. And 100% YES to making it as interactive as you can, down to old school asking the audience a few questions they answer by either raising a hand or standing up. They see who else is in the room, just as you as moderator and panellist see that too. On a video session, you can invite the audience to write in the chat who they are. Works like magic!

If you're chosen as a moderator, it's because you've got expertise and experience in the subject matter area and are a skilled conversationalist. But the audience is rarely there to hear you, so don't make it about you. Also, make sure all of your speakers are getting equal time, and don't let one or two speakers dominate the discussion. I always tell my panelists "If you don't have anything new to say in response to a question, wait until the next one." I've had too many panelists who feel the need to make their thoughts known even when they're repeating what's already been said. To paraphrase Minutemen bassist Mike Watt, be a tugboat, not a ball hog.

Be very aware that if you’re the moderator your success will be in orchestrating the discussion not in dominating it & interrupting the speakers. In monitoring the time and being able to direct the speakers if needed, reflecting smartly on their answers… etc Engaging the audience is also very impactful, a Q&A session at the end maybe by encouraging audiences to prepare their questions till the end and smartly choosing which questions to answer that will add value best to the discussions

The Season 1 Finale of The Hotness Unleasher Show was just getting underway on Thanksgiving Saturday - and I was hosting ~35 guests. Early on, I thought the guests would be able to pass the mic to each other, but quickly realized they needed the leader to take that role. I couldn't be a passive bystander. So, after the first guest-to-guest fumble, I jumped in, took the reins, and managed the transitions until the end. We went a little long, but everyone had tons of fun, and it set the stage for making it a bigger, faster, and far more ambitious series of events in Season 2.

- Listen to the answers being given and tie them into your follow-up questions. - Use the answers to connect the panellists and their discussion points and draw comparisons or contrasts to their points of view. - Stay focused on the points your panellists have and not on your personal opinion. You are not the most important person on the stage! - Avoid monologues as they distract from the panellists and lose your audience's attention. - Be considerate of time and make sure to control the length of panellist answers. - Make sure to distribute your comments and questions equally amongst the panellists. Do not play favourites.

Preparation is key. Have a list of targeted questions for each panelist to elicit thoughtful responses and maintain the focus of the conversation. Summarize key points from speakers to ensure the audience grasps the core of each topic. If a discussion veers off track or becomes heated, your role is to guide it back to constructive dialogue.

Of late, I have started thinking of myself more as a Host than a Moderator. I'd like to think it makes for a more relaxed experience for everyone and when your guests and panelists are relaxed, the quality of discourse just takes an express elevator. If your guest selection is right and enough prep work has been done before the event, you don't really need to worry about regulation.

Yes, accept that technical glitches and mistakes happen. Keep calm, roll with it: if the moderator seems relaxed (and in charge) the audience and other speakers will also be relaxed. Make a light joke of any mess-ups, it makes everyone breathe a bit easier.

I don't love this word "moderator" - I prefer Host. A Host takes on a different meaning to me. It's less isolated to tactics, and far more strategic. Host speaks to leadership and ownership. David Letterman, Oprah Winfrey, Jimmy Fallon - they run their shows, and they are Hosts, not just moderators. The show/event belongs to the Host, and as such, it's the Host's job to run it well, and the success of the event is up to the Host.

A good moderator should be prepared for any type of situation. After all, it is a live event. Things may go wrong: there might be technical difficulties, awkward silences, unexpected comments, etc... What I usually do before a live event is create a document with every possible scenario. That way, I know exactly how to react in a specific situation and I can easily adjust to anything that might happen. But, don't think that you will be prepared for every situation from the first live event you moderate. No! You will probably learn on the go, and that is the beauty of organising live events. So, just start now and don't be afraid of what might happen. Just have a mind that is easily adapted to any situation.

feel the audience... feel the speakers... is it flowing?. If not you have to intervene and jump start... dont let the even die on you

A strong closure is the moderator’s role. At the end you want to direct the audience to a certain call of action and make sure they will leave with the event’s key messages in their minds

A great moderator knows how to maximize the time on stage, but also how to conclude things without running long, and recapping some key moments so the audience can benefit from the overall conversation on stage.

For a lasting impact, incorporate a call to action that is both relevant and achievable, directing the audience toward a specific next step. Gratitude is also non-negotiable. A sincere thank-you to panelists, organizers, and attendees ties everything together and leaves everyone with a sense of completion and value.

Always end with a call to action. Invite your audience to download a freebie, follow the speakers and yourself, or simply subscribe to your channel if they want to follow future events such as that one. Don't forget that from the other side of the screen there are actual live beings and address them as you would address people in person. Just act natural and be down to earth.

A skilled moderator plays a pivotal role in the success of a live event. The closing moments are a golden opportunity to leave a lasting impact. It's crucial to express gratitude to the incredible audience, our esteemed speakers or panelists, and the hardworking organizers for making it all possible. 🙏 Summarizing the key takeaways and emphasizing the core messages helps reinforce the event's value. Sharing additional resources or recommendations for further exploration keeps the learning journey alive.

Lots of amazing contributions here. I'd add a few points: 1) Think carefully about the time and the # of panelists. Rules of thumb: Save 30% of the time for Q&A; intros take 3-5 mins. That nets you time for 6-7 questions in a 60-min fireside. For a 60-min 3-person panel, you'll be lucky to get 5 q's, if managed rigorously. So edit your questions carefully. 2) The worst panels are the ones where everyone answers every question. Don't do this. 3) Constantly remind yourself that you’re there to serve *the audience* not the panelists. Part of your brain needs to be in the crowd listening (not literally). If your brain is getting bored, so is the crowd. Pick up the pace, be ruthless about moving on to new areas. If the crowd leans in, you're set

Understanding your speakers is vitally important. Not only do you need to know their history, where they've worked, what they think (THANKS LinkedIn, you are great for this). But what TYPE of speaker are they? I categorize speakers into the following groups: 🔻Know It All Nathan 🔻Nattering Nancy 🔻Wallflower Willy 🔻Sponsor Sally 🔻Quipster Carol 🔻Pondering Pete 🔻Agreeable Amy 🔻Misfit Mike 🔻Overprepared Oscar Once you know their style, you will know how to approach them, when to ask them questions and when and how to interrupt them. Also key: how many panelists do you have? I try to draw the line at 4 max, with 3 as a sweet spot. Many organizers will throw 5 or 6 on stage. That's not a conversation, that's a basketball team.

Becoming a great live event moderator is about striking a balance between preparation and adaptability. Start with a thorough understanding of the event's objectives and content, so you can guide discussions effectively. Be an excellent communicator, engaging with both the audience and panelists. Keep the energy up and adapt to unexpected situations with ease. Stay organized, maintain a tight schedule, and foster meaningful interactions. Finally, remember to be approachable, ensuring a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Mastering these skills is the key to being a top-notch live event moderator.

I'd also love to hear ideas about what to do when you sense the discussion is going sideways and/or the audience is losing interest...

I’m the most comfortable when I am speaking about my own area of mastery. It’s important to practice facilitating with consistency in spaced intervals over time. This way, technology becomes routine and I can better focus on the conversation. Facilitation requires mastery of the content, management of the conversation, and unfettered by the technology.