How to be a great moderator

  • Direct the conversation

  • Listen actively

  • No dead space

  • Interject when appropriate

  • Ask succinct questions - directed at someone specific before you ask the question. 

    • Don’t say: “ok lets talk about Baseball, who wants to go first?”

    • Instead, say “Ok, first question is about baseball and i’m going to ask this first to you Becky and then the rest of the panel. Question is, who is the best player in the last 20 years? The audience might be saying Ken Griffey Jr or Derek Jeter, but we’re curious, what are your thoughts?” 

    • This prepares the speaker Becky to answer the question, gives Becky time to think of an answer, AND prepares the other panelists for when the question is directed at them.  

  • Don’t over-promote yourself

    • Saying your company too many times will get tacky (especially if it is a bottom third). Your presence is the promotion, you don’t need to over-do it. 

  • Make sure you can say the presenter names

    • Write them out on pen and paper if needed, but confirm with each speaker beforehand and repeat it to them. 

  • If you’re reading from a script, practice the script after doing a few pushups. 

    • This will get your heart beating which will be what it feels like before you’re going live. 

  • Don’t use a blurred background - clean up your room. 

  • Wear appropriate clothing. 

    • No lines or checks on your shirt - this will be hard for the camera to render. 

  • Share the webinar with your network

  • Extra Credit: record a teaser video and send it out on linkedin telling people you’re on the webinar.