Wie können Sie ein großartiger Live-Event-Moderator sein?

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.

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!

You can just ask how to be “great” in something and wait for replies. Can anyone here ask great Michael Jordan how to became Air Jordan? Can you jump so high? No! Or if you can, you will not ask this question. For moderators there are 2 most important qualities they must have which are simply said - natural born gifts: - To be charismatic - To be quick-witted Everything else could be practiced, learned easy or on a hard-way. But without charisma and quick mind and great ballanced tongue with the mind - forget it to be great moderator.

The best moderators - are prepared, know the goals of the event and the script or pathway they are to navigate the audience to reach the climax of the project! They have the ability to read the food / be spontaneous while staying appropriate to the audience demographic And the best moderator has a little narrative of their own to add value to the event and leave everyone wanting more of their presence. Never to over speak or stay their welcome on stage - ego can get in the aeay of the best of them!!

To become a live event moderator, you should possess certain skills and qualifications that are essential for effectively managing and facilitating live events. -Effective communication is crucial for a live event moderator. You should be able to articulate ideas clearly, engage with the audience, and moderate discussions or Q&A sessions. -Gain Relevant Education and Training -Volunteer at local events to gain practical experience as a moderator. -Connect with event organizers, and industry professionals who may need moderators for their events. -Stay Informed on current events, and topics related to the industries -Create an online presence -Prepare a portfolio of events you have moderated to demonstrate your experience.

Being clear on what key messages you want to deliver to the audience is what will help you in: -preparing relevant questions -managing the flow and time and making sure to direct panelists indirectly if they deviated -advise panelists/speakers on what to include in their answers or sessions

Before you moderate, you need to do the following: 🔻Find out the session goals from the organizer 🔻Understand the layout of the room - including chairs, tables, stage layout, microphones, AV equipment location, and more. 🔻IMPORTANT: how long is your session and will there be a count-down clock or a person timing you. 🔻Know the demographics and desires of the audience 🔻Get preliminary session headline and description from the organizers. Rework if necessary. 🔻Know your speakers. Assign a role (in your own head) to each speaker. If you can, figure out what type of speaker they are (quiet, interrupter, bloviator, insightful, laugh-a-minute, etc.) 🔻Come up with the three things you want your audience to walk away with.

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.

Actually, I disagree with the notion that researching solely the speakers or panelists suffices. Drawing from my role as an Online Sales Consultant & Creative Director, where I led national marketing campaigns, it's imperative to also delve into the audience demographics and preferences. By understanding the audience's interests and expectations, one can tailor the discussion and content to resonate with them effectively.

Great info! What are the buzz-words of the genre? What is the history of the company and/or persons involved? How do they relate to today and yesterday? You seem a lot more connected when you use terminology that your audience understands.

Research about your guests and the audience too. A moderator is what keeps the panel engaging and interesting. Research on prior experience of your panelists and how you can make this panel even better for them.

Have your questions and have back up questions. If a segment isn’t working, have a back up segment. Know your panelist’s biography. Have an opinion about what they’ve done. Also ask them in advance what they actually want to talk about. Reach out to panelists and speakers in advance and have a conversation outlining what the plan is and some of your questions and ideas. Also talk to your guests and contributors on the day and make them feel comfortable around you. Relaxed, aware and reassured people will give you their best contributions.

Absolutely, Do your research. What sets each person apart? What about their path, their work, their personal background could spark interest or give them a unique POV?  

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!

From my experience, you can keep the audience engaged by asking them to comment about whatever is discussed at the moment, but also by using polls and surveys. However, what is really important is to do your research on the market and the audience, so that you know their pain points. Once you have your research done, you can implement your storytelling skills and present them a real-life problem, a problem that you have resolved for an existing client of yours. Remember: Use examples, data and real situations.

Always start an event with getting to know the audience as a moderator by asking them a few questions related to the topic of the event. If you build a tribe and interact with everyone from the start, then interaction will be the norm during the whole event. Also: interaction is more than just 5 minutes of Q&A after a keynote. In that case only two or three extravert audience members will get the chance to speak up. Try to design a more creative meeting instead to involve everyone equally, for example with help of Liberating Structures.

Just asking Who has been in such and such situation... May get a few hands in the audience, and the moderátor can ask Some people to share their story. The raising hands thing can start of the crowd's engagement.

Yes dear you are are right because one of the techniques in sales and marketing is story telling so when you start to talk about an example or small memory or story , it opens the ways of different participation

My experience tells me that conference organizers have become too reliant on the panel model. Panelists are often not truly prepped. They rely on canned responses that moderators seem unwilling to punch holes in.

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.

Be ready to have a discussion, always be open to a difference of opinion. The guest is giving his or her time to be there, be gracious and always express your appreciation.

Facilitation takes practice. Lots of it. -Welcome everyone. -Share the meeting ground rules and intention. -Share a story succinctly as an example. -Ask people to share briefly. -Don’t be afraid to interrupt if they will prevent others from speaking by going on and on. -Tell stories; keep them short. -Repeat ground rules and welcome for new people entering. -Set next steps five minutes before close.

The role of a moderator is to keep the speakers and audience engaged. But most importantly, the moderator's role is to fill in the moments when the speakers struggle to continue with the conversation and to help them avoid that awkward silence. The moderator's job is to create a smooth conversation or discussion without leaving the impression that everything is according to a script. That is why I always prefer a nice talk instead of reading from a script.

The key word here is discussion. A moderator is not a question asker, but the air traffic controller in charge of the direction of the conversation, the speed, the tone, and the results.

It is also important to guide and support presenters or speakers. Stay tuned-in and focused on all aspects of the event. Stay in charge while allowing the others to shine.

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.

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.

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

Practice makes it perfect! The more you volunteer to do speaking events, the sharper your skills become. Speaking from a decade of experience, I’ve reached a point where I can have the audience in stitches and fully immersed in the message I need to deliver. My #1 tip is don’t obsess over it just jump in there and do it. Start at smaller venues to get experience. Next you’ll be talking it up in stadiums. As my fellow contributors wisely put it, prep is key! Get to know your crowd, and then serve up your content in a way that’s not just informative but downright entertaining!

Stay ready for unexpected changes. Panelists or time constraints might shift at the last minute. A skilled event moderator should be ready for anything, sounding calm, composed, and in control.

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.