How to Moderate a Panel Discussion With Skill: 7 Practical Moderator Tips
September 04, 2020
Updated 11 November 2025
How do you moderate a panel discussion successfully? How to moderate a webinar? What techniques work for a panel moderator? Learn how to moderate a panel discussion like a pro.
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.
Panel Moderating is a Skill You Can Learn
Moderating a panel event can do wonders for your personal brand. It puts you in front of a live audience, gives you visibility at virtual events and positions you as someone who guides informative discussion.
But many people asked to be a panel moderator for the first time don’t feel confident about the correct way to run a dynamic panel discussion.
The good news is that moderating is a skill you can learn. A really good moderator doesn’t need to be the leading expert on the discussion topic.
Your role is to help your panel members give their best, involve audience members and steer the conversation so it’s engaging and useful.
This advice is based on the 15+ years’ experience the team at Benjamin Ball Associates in have coaching panel moderators to run compelling panels and webinars.
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What a Strong Moderator Actually Does
You are there to:
- Open the conversation with a powerful opening that sets the main theme
- Ask great questions that draw out deeper insight, not just surface opinions
- Calmly manage time limits and air time so all panel members contribute
- Notice body language and bring in quieter voices
- Make sure the audience Q&A gets adequate time and feels open, not rushed
- Close the discussion with a clear takeaway, not a fade-out
Whether you are moderating political debates, a conference panel, a virtual panel discussion or a short webinar, the key steps are the same. The moderator is the guide, not the star.
Before You Begin: The First Step is Preparation
The first step in learning how to moderate a panel discussion is organising a preparation call with your fellow panellists and the meeting organiser or conference organiser.
Use this call to:
- Agree the main theme
- Set ground rules (e.g. length of answers, how to disagree politely)
- Gather panellists’ questions or topics they care about
- Decide what the audience should leave knowing or thinking
Skilled moderators create a list of questions in advance. Include a mix of open-ended questions, specific questions and one or two follow-up questions ready to deepen a promising point. It’s a good idea to share these with your panel members so they can prepare short stories rather than long answers.
Some moderators use index cards to keep the number of questions manageable. Others keep a simple page of key points.
During the Panel: How to Keep a Lively, Interesting Discussion
A great panel discussion feels natural, but that feeling comes from structure.
- Ask your first question with confidence. Make it big, bold and relevant.
- Avoid letting one panel participant dominate. Spread the air time.
- If someone gives a polished, prepared statement, ask a follow-up question like “Can you give a real example?”
- If the discussion drifts, simply say: “Let me bring us back to the panel topic.”
- Use the next question to move the conversation forward, not sideways.
If you need to bring in someone quieter, try:
“I’d love your view on this – what’s your experience?”
It’s a nice way to include all voices without pressure.
How to Manage Audience Q&A
Don’t leave the Q&A session until the end. Audience members deserve enough time to answer questions and join the conversation. A good time to invite questions is about three quarters of the way through.
If you want to warm up a virtual audience, try a warm-up poll or simple show of hands to build interaction early.
And remember: the final question should come from you, not the audience. That way you control the ending.
Seven Practical Tips for Moderating a Panel Discussion
It’s too easy to run a boring panel. These practical tips will help you create a fun and engaging panel session.
1. Prepare Your Panel Well
Share your questions ahead of time. Encourage short introductions, real stories and examples. Even one strong anecdote can transform a session.
2. Ask Bold Questions
Avoid safe “I agree” conversations. Ask for contrasts or divergences of viewpoint. That’s where learning happens.
3. Bring Energy and Presence
Speak clearly, use short phrases and take deep breaths. On a video call, use a neutral background and decent lighting so people can see your expressions.
4. Open Strongly
Your opening sets the tone. A big first question is a great way to launch into a meaningful conversation.
5. Involve the Audience Early
Whether it’s a live audience or online, the audience wants to be part of the moment. Invite them in before the last question.
6. Close with Impact
Don’t end on a trailing audience question. Summarise common themes and invite each panellist to share one final sentence of advice.
7. Special Considerations for Webinars and Virtual Events
You are competing with email, Slack and TikTok. Keep things shorter, lighter and more interactive. Reinforce key points regularly so people stay with you in real time.
Ready to Become a More Confident Panel Moderator?
If you have a next event coming up and want support, we can help. Our coaching helps you:
- Design stronger introductions and openings
- Ask better questions that spark insight
- Run smooth, engaging conversations
- Lead both live and virtual panel discussions with confidence
Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com.
How to moderate a panel discussion – get coaching
Do you want help to prepare your next panel discussion? If so, talk to us.
We have developed a robust toolbox of techniques to help you organise clear, confident panels. We’ve coached panel moderators from New York to Abu Dhabi.
We’ll help you look and sound impressive so that you hook and engage your audiences. In just a few short hours we’ll help you become an impressive panel moderator.
Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to discuss how we can help you learn how to moderate a panel.
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How to Moderate a Panel Discussion
Tips on panel moderating and running a conference panel
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How to Moderate a Panel Discussion
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Moderate a Panel Discussion
What is the role of a panel moderator?
Your role is to guide the discussion so your panel members shine and your audience gains value. You ask good questions, manage time, involve the audience and ensure a clear, balanced and engaging conversation.
How do you moderate an expert panel?
Avoid trying to match the experts. Ask simple, clear questions and encourage practical examples and stories that everyone can understand.
How do you moderate a virtual panel discussion or webinar?
Keep the pace faster, involve the audience earlier and summarise key points more often. Online attention is fragile, so energy and interaction matter.
How should I prepare before moderating a panel?
Research the topic, agree ground rules with the organiser, share key themes with your panellists and build a list of well-structured questions to guide the session.
How do I keep the discussion engaging?
Encourage storytelling, invite different viewpoints and ask follow-up questions that reveal real experiences rather than general statements.
What if a panellist dominates the conversation?
Politely step in to redirect the conversation and invite another voice. A simple “Let’s bring in [Name]” works well.
How do I manage disagreements?
Keep disagreements constructive by staying neutral, acknowledging contrasting views and steering towards insight rather than conflict.
Should I stick strictly to my prepared questions?
Use your questions as a guide, not a script. Be ready to explore useful tangents while still keeping the discussion on track.
How do I keep the panel on time?
Watch the clock, summarise when needed and guide transitions clearly. Small cues make a big difference.
How should I close a panel discussion?
A strong finish matters. Ask each panellist for a final one-line takeaway, summarise key points and thank the audience confidently.
Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to discuss how we can help you moderate a panel.
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