How do you moderate a panel blog

What is the best option if you're planning panels in the very first instance? For event organizers or panel moderators Panel discussions are difficult to manage. It is important to think about the format, the audience needs, how you can navigate different perspectives, all while keeping the conversation engaging!

This guide can help you learn more regarding panel discussion (both in-person or virtual) and tips for running these discussions successfully, as as how to plan and host virtual panel discussions.

What exactly is a panel debate?

Panel discussions usually have the same format regardless of industry or the event: 3-5 panel members who are experts in the field talk about topics relevant to their area before a large audience. Moderators' job is to guide the discussion between the participants, the panelists, and among panelists.

Depending on the formality of the event, questions from the audience are taken directly from the live audience or are curated prior to time.

It's important to note that panel discussions are exactly the same as discussions. These aren't interviews in 1:1 format that include individuals, Q&As or collections of PowerPoint presentation slides.

The main purpose of the best panel discussions is to exchange the wisdom and knowledge of others, stimulate an enlightened mind, and give important insights to the participants.

Guide your panel discussion with our no-cost template

Channel your favorite TV interviewer by using this fun interview deck template. Introduce each guest, create the stage, and then get into the top issues that your audience is interested in.

5 quick tips to run a successful panel discussion

The process of organizing a panel discussion may appear a bit overwhelming at first. In this article this article, we'll speak about five quick tips that'll give you a great foundation. The tips apply whether you're running the event in-person or virtual one.

1. Determine the purpose

It may be easy to envision discussions on panels as enjoyable and simple activity for your company with no real reason, it could be a failure. It is recommended that the conversation focus on a specific subject like an issue in your field or an area where you (or your business) could make a difference in a specific area.

2. Check that the content is interesting and relevant.

The same way as deciding your purpose, from there you can decide if the topic you are considering is relevant and interesting enough to merit a panel discussion. If the subject is shallow or irrelevant for your target audience it is possible to run over the key issues and going off-topic -- ultimately making the event less valuable. conference.

However, the majority of panel discussions are between 60-90 minutes long. It's important to ensure that you do not choose a subject too deep where key points might be missed and you run out of airtime.

3. Make sure that the moderator as well as panelists prepare beforehand

If you (as moderator) have to meet your panelists last minute (or in reverse), you run several risks that could derail your discussion.

The best moderators are aware of their panelists enough to not offend them when they have to cut their points in order to continue. The panelists should also be comfortable enough to bounce around the moderator, as well as the other panelists in the discussion.

Also, it's a fantastic chance to obtain your panelist's preferences in bios, as well as any follow-up info.

4. Keep the discussion structured, however, be relaxed.

5. Engage with the audience, even if you're in charge of the discussion

For larger audiences, it can be trickier. Depending on your topic the audience could be involved in short experiments like how Wendy MacNaughton had people draw their own pictures without looking at their papers. You could also run a quiz to help break up the ice, or even find knowledge gaps among your attendees.

Following these tips will ensure that the panel discussion you are hosting is informative and engaging for your audience, as well as one which provides valuable, rich insights for both them and your business.

What exactly is a virtual panel discussion?

The basic ideas of a panel discussion are exactly similar to online panel discussions. One of the main differences is that the first type of panel discussion is held in person, while another is on the internet.

In light of how the pandemic in the world affects the way that we conduct our work and interact, virtual panel discussions have become more popular than ever before.

How to organize and host an online panel discussion? 4 steps

It is particularly true that online panel discussions face particular challenges like the complexities of technology, audience interaction and keeping the discussion moving when there isn't eyes to their participants. So, with that in mind Let's examine the other ways to go about it.

1. Select a platform for hosting

If you have a great online panel discussion concept You'll have to figure out the right venue in order to avoid it's dead in the water.

For you to determine which program to select Try to answer these questions:

• Are you planning to target the largest, wide crowd, or for a small or niche group?
• Will you want to have interactivity in your conversation?
• Will you be paywalling or a different method of gating the event?

Answering these main questions will allow you to narrow the options available to you. In the case of organizing for large audiences using video conferences, using program like Zoom might prove to be an administrative (and bandwidth) issue, particularly in the event that all attendees use their cameras.

2. Plan well in advance

It's possible to think that, given the level of planning required for physical events, online events are much simpler to plan. However, they're similar in difficulty. You just direct the effort in different ways.

If, for instance, you're inviting speakers to an in-person event is recommended to plan the transportation (at at the very least, to get them there) and on the other hand, when you're running a virtual panel discussion you need to ensure that they've appropriate equipment (as in addition to any accessibility rules).

The general rule is that there are common good practices for those who are trying you can plan the virtual panel without finding hosts and panelists:

Create an event flow plan or agenda. Of course, you'll create an agenda or event flow for every panel discussion- but for virtual panels, you'll also be figuring out how to move between the various sections of the panel online as well as how long it will take for the panelists to speak or respond to queries.

Prep your panelists. Your presenters are driving the discussion. If they're enthusiastic and your audience is too, they're also excited. Make sure that you've allocated enough time to prep speakers, provide feedback, and coach when needed so they're confident and camera ready to perform on the stage.

Prepare some questions in advance. Some audiences can be a little shy, so it's always worth preparing the questions beforehand for the panelists in order to avoid awkward silences.

Be considerate of the time zones. If you are planning a time slot for your panel discussion online, make sure you consider the time zones of both your panelists and your audience.

Make sure you test every aspect. It's best to test any technology you're using before going live during your event. 59% of attendees will likely leave during the course if they are technical difficulties.

After you've got the organization basics planned out, it's time to think about how you can optimize the experience for your guests.

3. Optimize the experience for attendees

A crucial aspect of planning an event which is often overlooked is engaging with the audience priorto the event's beginning. As you begin planning you're focused on topics, who to include, how to run the event -- but not much thought is given to the marketing.

Of course, the idea of a lively discussion with interesting questions could convince individuals to take part However, most people need to convince themselves.

The marketing does not stop with the event. Once people have registered for an event, be sure you capture their email in order to be able to provide them with an email sequence leading up to the event. Your email sequence can include:

• Spotlights on speakers (in-depth bios)
• The agenda and details
• Information about submitting questions
• The general buzz and the reminders of the day's event.
• Set up and post a link to a pre-event Slack channel for attendees to network beforehand

Even when your event has ended, you have opportunities to add value to your audience with follow-up email sequences that can comprise:

• A takeaway sheet (key issues discussed, and concise tweet-able summary)
• A resource guide or free download relating to the event topic
• Need feedback about the occasion

When it comes to optimizing virtual panel discussions it is important to consider what benefits the attendees enjoy from the live panel discussions and how you can replicate (or even beat) the experience using virtual panels.

4. Engage your virtual audience

Many people have been working at home from more than an entire year (myself as well), Zoom fatigue can be a problem you be able to assist your audience overcome. So our final "step" will be a list of suggestions to maintain a lively audience in your panel conversation.

 Panelist diversity

For starters, when building your panel be sure to be aware of diversity. If the panelists come from the same background you'll struggle to get a variety of viewpoints -and this is an easy option to cause a debate to end.

 Encourage audience questions

Perhaps you've been in a position to create your list of questions after asking the panelists questions and soliciting feedback from participants before the event. If so, knowing that the questions you submit will be addressed may keep the questioner interested.

If you do provide a space to take questions live from your audience this could keep people present who weren't given a chance to submit questions beforehand.

 Give moments of interactivity

Let's face it, sometimes talking can just be sometimes boring particularly when your audience is given an opportunity to get disoriented at home.

In order to keep users fully engagedtry using polls to gauge their opinions in a short time (which is possible on most social media platforms, though Twitter will likely be the best alternative).

Another possibility is to promote discussion among audience members in chat on the platform. This can be useful if an answer or question is causing a great deal of discussion but the moderator needs to move on.

 Let them connect

Many of us have done it -- gone to an event, attended, talked to a bunch of strangers, but did not share our contacts (who was that guy again? ).

At the end of the discussion can be a good occasion to invite (or encourage) attendees to make connections with one another. With Zoom it is possible to do this by creating " breakout rooms" that allow for smaller groups of members to speak to each other (instead of inundating the room with emails).

You can also refer them back to the Slack channel you created prior to the event.

These tips for running your event prior to, through and after your occasion will ensure that it all goes smoothly and also that you're offering an actual benefit to the people you're inviting.

Panel discussions FAQ

    What's an example of a panel discussion?    

A few examples of panel discussions can include discussions about security and health guidelines for Covid-19 in addition to discussion on global climate change strategies. Other examples of panel discussions are internal panel discussions where companies invite speakers to discuss a topic or public panels which include politicians who discuss policy issues and invite audience members to ask questions.                     How do you structure an open discussion?    

Panel discussions generally have the same format no matter what the topic:

• Welcome everyone to the event
• Introduce panelists
• Initial topic presentation/introduction
• Questions from the audience prior to the event
• Live audience questions
• A summary of the most important points covered
• Thank you and final remarks
• Networking with the audience

Closing up

A panel discussion, whether in person or virtual is a fun way for your company offer value to your customers as well as the industry in general. But they can be difficult to put on- and keep people engaged during the live event.