Panel Presentations That Won’t Put Your Audience to Sleep

Panel presentations are supposed to be engaging, exciting opportunities to share knowledge, ideas, and perspectives on hot topics. More often than not, they end up providing the perfect environment for a quick snooze. Whether you’re moderating the panel or serving on one, there are things you can do that will allow you to shine and won’t put your audience to sleep.

For Moderators

If you are moderating a panel presentation, you can help ensure that the experience is positive for both your panel members and your audience, by adopting these guidelines:

• Choose your panelists carefully, considering their areas of expertise and the way each panel member complements the others.

• Host a series of calls, to prep members on topics and timeframes. Reinforce that they are not to launch into a monologue.

• Be open to panelists’ suggestions for topics and questions for the presentation.

• Arrange for panel members to arrive early to the presentation so that they can meet with you and each other before the presentation begins.

• Have specific talking points and questions that will propel the conversation forward if there is no initial engagement from the audience.

• Have a clear purpose and agenda for the panel – a specific topic or goal – and share it with your panel members.

• When needed, keep track of time and keep the flow moving. Don’t be afraid to (tactfully) move the topics along to maintain audience attention.

For Panel Participants

It can be as nerve-wracking to participate in a panel presentation as it is to conduct any other type of public speaking, so part of your success will be in simply being prepared.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your panel moderator regarding their panel presentation goals.

• Prepare for the panel as if you were giving a speech; you should know your material as well as if you were the only presenter.

• Pay attention to what other panel members are saying and prepare a short response, if needed.

• Take time to get to know the other panel members. Research their backgrounds, and become familiar with their areas of interest.

• Respect your time allotment. Nothing makes an audience more uncomfortable than watching the clock turn past the point they were supposed to be there.

Panel presentations are supposed to be informative and interactive. If there is no excitement from those assembling the panel, and no energy on the panel, it will be naptime for the audience. But your energy will be contagious, and the more you bring, the more your audience will feel it.