Professional panel moderator, Kristin Arnold asks Neen James, an expert on leveraging your focus and paying attention to what matters most at work and in life, about how to use social media to engage the audience even BEFORE a panel discussion starts at meetings, conferences, and conventions.
Video Transcript
Kristin: Neen, how do you use social media to engage with the audience even before the panel discussion starts?
Neen: So, what for me, the way I would use social media, and I do it before every keynote speech, I do it before every job that I work in, what I always do is I always ask some questions. And I might say, “I am interviewing the legendary Kristin Arnold for an amazing opportunity that elevates your skills on a panel. What are your biggest questions for Kristin that I can help answer for you?” So, I’m personalizing it, I’m telling them who I’m interviewing, and I’m asking for their help.
I might also say something like, “You know, sometimes I find it hard to keep an audience’s attention. Do you ever find that? What’s been your biggest challenge so far?” And so, I will ask them about challenges. Then if someone responds, what I’ll say to them, Kristin, is, I might say, “Kristin, would it be okay if I referenced you when I was asking that question?” So when, as the moderator, when I’m standing now, I say, “Well, Neen had a question on social media. Her question was this.” Now, if Neen’s sitting in the audience, she is like, “Oh, my God, she just asked my question.” So, I know, and people love a shout out from the stage.
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Kristin Arnold, professional panel moderator, and high stakes meeting facilitator is on a crusade to make all panel discussions informative, interactive, and interesting. Specifically, she wants to help YOU become a better panel moderator. Why? Because 95% of annual meetings have panel discussions – and according to the 2014 Panel Report, it’s a fifty-fifty proposition they are any good at all! Expectations decrease dramatically when your attendees walk in and see the traditional draped head-table with microphones on short stands. There are sooooo many other ways to have a stimulating conversation! So let’s increase the probability of success for your next panel discussion with these resources.
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