Now that conferences have gone online, panel discussions on Zoom have become increasingly popular. While they can be very valuable , many of these webinars end up being a waste of time.
This is partly because many people take an invitation to be part of a panel very casually . They are confident they will be able to wing it , because they are experts , and know exactly what they want to talk about !
However, a panel should be treated like a staged event , and its purpose is to provide value to the audience . Just like actors need to prepare , you need to rehearse as well, and spend time thinking about what you want to say .
The moderator’s role is extremely important, and he needs to make sure everyone is on the same page .
The best way to do this is to craft provocative questions, and share them with the panelists in advance in writing . It’s helpful to engage with the panelists, one on one, before the event, so you can confirm everyone is prepared.
The job of the moderator is to help the panelists to look good, so please don’t try to hog the limelight !
And if you do your homework well, you will enjoy the panel – and so will your panelists, as well as the audience !
Finally, please remember to thank the organisers for inviting you – it can be a lot of work or organise these sessions !