How to: Your Conference Panel Introduction – 12 Top Tips

When you next appear on a conference panel, how will you introduce your panellists and yourself? What does a good panel discussion introduction sound like? How do you introduce yourself as a panellist? Examples of a panellist introduction.

Meet the Author: Benjamin Ball

Ben is the founder of Benjamin Ball Associates and leads the presentation coaching and pitch deck creation teams. Formerly a corporate financier in the City of London, for 20+ years he’s helped businesses win with better pitches and presentations, particularly investor pitches. He is a regular speaker and a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School and UCL London.  Follow Ben on LinkedIn or visit the contact page. 

Why Your Panel Discussion Introduction Matters

You want to look good and sound good from the start so that your audience will listen. That means you’ve got to get your panel introduction just right. But how to introduce panellists?

How you introduce yourself on a conference panel really matters, often as much – or more than – what you say later.  A great introduction is a great investment.

Panel discussion introductions are a skill.  And it’s a skill you can learn.  Over the last 15 years we’ve coached thousands of people to be brilliant conference panellists. 

How to Prepare For A Conference Panel

If you are on a conference panel this year,  make your attendance more successful with essential preparation. These tips from our conference panel coaching will help you look more impressive, interesting and engaging.

We’ve reviewed hundreds of panel appearances and identified 11 things that make a successful panel discussion introduction stand out:

1. Keep your panel introduction short

Be succinct. When you say less, you get to the heart of the matter faster. Plus, when you use fewer words, each word carries more weight.  You’ll find it’s more effective to deliver a great 15-second brief introduction (approx. 30 words) than a rambling two-minutes (250 words). Stick to a specific topic and be clear which key points you want to get across.

For example:  “I’m Ben, the founder of Benjamin Ball Associates. Business leaders use us to transform their pitches, presentations and talks.  When they work with us, they stand out.”

Or “And our next panellist is the CEO of Big Co. She is known for her outspoken views on the food industry and her red shoes. May I introduce Jane Smith.”

2. Use big, bold ideas in your introduction

One strong idea is worth more than 20 vague concepts. Say just one thing, and say it well. Make it relevant to the specific topic that the panel will be debating.  You’ll make much more impact than someone who bores the audience by sharing too much.

For example,  “At ABC Ltd, we measure the real value of public open spaces. This helps all of us protect open spaces against future development.”

Why Pick Benjamin Ball Associates for Your Coaching

At Benjamin Ball Associates, we’ve been coaching business people to improve their business communication skills for over 15 years.  Our coaching is fast and effective.  We work with individuals and with companies, one-to-one and in groups.  Call us today to learn more.

“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”

Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

Our most popular training courses include:

• Presentation Coaching
• Public Speaking Coaching
• Investor Pitch Support and Coaching

Trusted by some of the most successful companies globally

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

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3. Name-check yourself

Help the audience remember your organisation, by referring back to your company name as a panel member.

Rather than saying:

“We do this; we believe that…”

Instead say:

 “At XYZ Ltd we do this; at XYZ Ltd we always…”.

Your audience will appreciate the reminder.

When speaking about fellow panel members, do the same. “So Jane, as the CEO of Big Co, what do you think about….”

We’ve coached hundreds of executives to impress on panels. Learn more about our conference panel coaching – it’s fast and good value.

4. Always speak to the audience

The panel moderator may speak first, but don’t direct your response towards them. Speak to the audience.  Smile to convey warmth and confidence. Then, make eye contact with different people across the audience as you deliver your introduction. That’s a powerful way to get audience engagement.

5. Show energy and enthusiasm

Your natural passion for your topic will be dulled by the gap between you and audience. To compensate for this, a great way to impress is to dial up your energy and enthusiasm. It might mean ‘performing’ a bit more than feels natural, but that is what looks good on stage.

If you feel nervous, it’s common to lower your voice. Instead, channel your nervous energy into projecting your voice in front of an audience. Remember, you are a subject expert, so people are interested in what you say.

6. Prepare beforehand for a memorable introduction

A successful panel discussion is not easy. It comes from the time you spend perfecting and editing what you plan to say.  The more practised you are, the more natural, confident and engaging you will sound.  The more you prepare your panel, and work with a good moderator, the more natural you will look. That’s one of the reasons why we film our clients during our coaching and training. Straight away, they become more objective about their performance and can see the impact they make.

7.  Plan well in advance.

With your panel moderator and fellow panellists, work out what you are going to talk about. The best panel discussions stick to a few large questions; don’t get bogged in detail. Start your conference panel event with a strong introduction and end well.

As subject experts, plan where the big debating points are going to be.  Prepare your stories and your advice (see below) well in advance. Think which audience questions will come up in the Q&A session.

8. Be useful to your audience.

Does the conference audience genuinely want to hear your every thought? Or can you turn your experience into useful tips for them? Plan what you say to be valuable to your audience. Give advice and illustrate with examples. One great piece of advice is worth a dozen opinions.

If you want to impress on a panel, then try our conference panel coaching – it’s fast and good value.

9. Stick to a few big ideas. 

It is always tempting to have an opinion about everything. But it is better to have a few ideas and continue to reinforce them. Don’t speak unless you can really add value. Best practice is to give your audience practical advice, stories and tips.

Great panels are very targetting. The best moderator will define the purpose of your panel discussion, pick the right panellists, will restrict the discussion to a few big points and will include some audience participation and audience questions.

10. Tell personal stories. 

Avoid the abstract ideas where you can. Illustrate your thinking with real stories. The more personal, the better.  Your audience will find stories more memorable and more interesting.

11. Disagree.  

The worst conference panels discussions are when everyone agrees with each other. Aim to disagree – create a debate – discuss the issues with fellow panellists.  It’s more interesting for you and for the audience. A skilled moderator will encourage lively discussion amongst subject experts.

Make a mark at your next panel discussion with high quality conference panel coaching.

12. Speak Up.  

Finally, remember you are on stage. Use all the great tips and tricks that great presenters use: Speak louder than usual. Use pauses. Short sentences. Eye contact with the audience. Smile. Open and positive  body language. It all helps you be recognised as an interesting and useful person to work with.

How to Introduce A Panel – Next Steps

If you want help preparing for your next conference panel, give us a call.  With just an hour or two on Zoom or in face-to-face coaching, we can help you prepare a compelling panel discussion.

We’d be delighted to help you look confident, composed and compelling

Start preparing for your conference panel appearance now. Call Louise Angus today on +44 20 7018 0922 or email her via info@benjaminball.com for more information.

It could be the best investment you make this year.

Speak to an expert. Get a free consultation

Why Choose Us:
Transform your pitches and presentations with tailored coaching

We can help you present brilliantly. Thousands of people have benefitted from our tailored in-house coaching and advice – and we can help you too.

“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”

Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice for leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. We’ll help you improve corporate presentations through presentation coaching, public speaking training and expert advice on pitching to investors.

Some recent clients

Unlock your full potential and take your presentations to the next level.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

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FAQs: How to Introduce Yourself on a Panel

Q1: What is the ideal length for a panel introduction?

A: Keep your introduction concise—about 30-60 seconds. Don’t start with you name. Instead, make it interesting from the start. Include your name in the second sentence/paragraph. Avoid lengthy explanations; the goal is to give the audience a snapshot, not your entire resume.

Q2: What key elements should be included in a panel introduction?

A: Your introduction should include:

• Value to the Audience: Briefly explain what perspective or insights you bring to the discussion.
• Your Role: Mention your job and organisation.
• Your Expertise: Highlight key experience or achievements relevant to the panel’s topic.

Q3: How can I make my introduction stand out?

A: To make your introduction memorable:

• Use a compelling statement or story related to the topic.
• Highlight a unique experience or accomplishment that connects with the panel’s theme.
• Speak with confidence and energy to engage the audience from the start.

Q4: Should I mention my company in my introduction?

A: Yes, if relevant to the topic. However, avoid making it sound like a sales pitch. Your introduction should help your audience, not promote your company or product.

Q5: What tone should I use during my introduction?

A: Aim for a tone that is both professional and approachable. You want to establish credibility while also coming across as relatable and engaging. Adjust your tone based on the event’s formality—more conversational for casual panels, and polished for formal settings.

Q6: How can I avoid sounding too rehearsed?

A: While practising your introduction is key, avoid memorising it word-for-word. This can lead to sounding robotic. Instead, write bullet points of what you want to convey and speak naturally to keep the audience engaged. Imagine you are having a 1:1 conversation, even if there are 1000 people in the room.

Q7: How should I adjust my introduction for a virtual panel discussion?

A: For virtual panels:

• Put more into you energy and engagement since virtual audiences can be harder to connect with.
• Be sure to speak clearly with longer pauses, as audio can sometimes lag.
• Make sure your video and lighting are optimal so that your introduction comes across professionally.
• Include some audience interaction. Using open-ended questions is one way of doing this.

Q8: What are some common mistakes to avoid during a panel introduction?

A: Common pitfalls include:

• Being too vague: Provide specifics about your expertise and relevance to the discussion.
• Rambling: Keep it short and to the point.
• Sounding overly self-promotional: Speak about your value to the audience rather than a personal sales pitch.
• Using too much jargon: Speak in terms that the general audience can easily understand.

Q9: Should I mention my social media or website during my introduction?

A: Only mention your social media or website if it’s directly relevant to the panel’s topic or audience. Typically, this information is better shared at the end of the session or in follow-up materials rather than during the introduction.

Q10: What should I do if I’m nervous about introducing myself?

A: If you’re feeling anxious:

• Practice ahead of time to build confidence.
• Focus on the value you bring to the audience rather than worrying about yourself.
• Take a deep breath before speaking and start with a smile to ease tension.

Speak to an expert. Get a free consultation

If you want to look and sound impressive on your next conference panel, call us

Get support to refine your key messages, strengthen your delivery and stress-test your performance.

We can give you expert presentation skills coaching for an hour or two via Zoom to polish your conference or webinar panel with expert coaching. You’ll feel calm, confident and ready to stand out.  Our award-winning training, coaching and advice has helped hundreds of Senior Executives transform their leadership communications, including through pitch coaching, presentation coaching and panel discussion coaching.

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Read the Ultimate Guide to Public Speaking for Leaders