If you are a panelist or a moderator on a conference panel this year, you want to make it a success.

Panels are excellent marketing opportunities and a great way to raise your profile. Businesses and careers have been launched with great organisation of conference panels.

So that you shine on your next conference panel appearance, we’ve put together some quick tips to help you prepare:

Conference Panel Appearance Tip #1. It’s how you prepare

While great panels look effortless, that’s only because the panelists have prepared carefully. As a moderator you should create great questions (the simpler and bolder the better) and share these with your panelists in advance.

As a panelist you should think about stories and examples you can use to illustrate what you are saying.  It’s much better to have a few strong ideas to talk about than to offer an opinion on everything under the sun.

Organise a Conference Panel Tip #2. Offer bold ideas

A great panel will inform, educate and entertain. While you may think that a panel is a great opportunity to share your thoughts, in reality your opinions are not very interesting.

Much more engaging are the stories you tell, the practical advice you give and the different position you adopt. Avoid saying “I agree” – that phrase kills a panel discussion.

Conference Panel Appearance Tip #3. Be a performer

A panel is not a fireside chat. It’s a piece of entertainment where you need to speak out directly to the audience.

Use all the skills of public speaking to bring your language to life: short phrases, short words, long pauses, high energy, big ideas. Sit forward in your chair and look at the audience as if you were speaking to them 1:1.

Organise a Conference Panel Tip #4. Start powerfully

As a moderator, you set the tone for your panel in the first few seconds. Tell the audience how important this discussion is; remind us how great the panelists are; and give one-line introductions on each panelist (don’t let them each introduce themselves).

Make sure your first question is big, bold and unexpected. If you are introducing yourself as a conference panelist, make sure you read our tips on doing so memorably.

Conference Panel Preparation Tip #5. Involve the audience

If your audience can be part of the conversation they’ll enjoy the experience more. For example, ask them a question early on.

Tell them to prepare questions for the experts in front of them. And help them ask interesting questions.

Conference Panel Tip #6. End with impact

Audience questions are not the best way to end a panel session. Instead, as a moderator, finish your panel with something big. For example, you might ask each panelist for a final one-sentence tip.

Or you might end with a summary. And then, as the moderator, tell the audience what a great experience they have had before leading the applause.

Free Guide: How to Organise a Conference Panel

Download our free guide for conference panelists.

You’ll get eight practical tips that will transform your conference panel appearances, including:

Click here for more details and to download the guide.

Have you get an upcoming conference panel appearance as a panelist or moderator? Do you want to help you prepare? If so, talk to us.

We have developed a robust toolbox of techniques to help you organise clear, confident panel performances.

We’ll help you look and sound impressive on stage so that you hook and engage your audiences. In just a few short hours we’ll coach you to deliver clearly, confidently and with impact.

Speak to Louise on 020 7018 0922 or email louise@nullbenjaminball.com to discuss how we can help you get the most from your upcoming conference appearance.