I’m writing the next Powerful Panels book to answer panelists’ frequently asked questions. I would LOVE to hear the specific questions you have about being a panelist.
Here’s my list of questions and I’m building it as I get ideas. What am I missing? Anyone who contributes a new question will receive a digital copy of the book!
The Invitation
- Why would they pick me?
- Why should I say yes?
- Can I expect to be paid? What about travel expenses?
Preparation
- Who briefs me?
- When and how do they brief me, individually and/or with the other panelists?
- What kind of research do I need to do?
- What kind of preparation do I need to do? (talking points, examples, questions?)
- How do I craft a meaningful and memorable nugget?
- Do I need to do some practice/role playing?
- Do I have to present something?
- Do I have to put together a slideshow?
- How do I flag topics I want to avoid or minimize?
Structure, Format, and Flow
- Introductions
- Moderator-curated questions
- Audience Q&A
- Other audience interaction
- Closing call to action
- Anything else we need to know?
Logistics
- What information does the meeting organizer/moderator need from me?
- Staging – what do I need to know?
- Where should I sit?
- Microphones – can I ask for one? How do I talk in a handheld microphone
- What do I bring?
- What do I wear?
- Virtual staging/lighting and sound – what do I need to know/do?
- Remote panelist – what do I need to know/do?
- What about slides? Can I use them? Any guidelines?
Meet Ups
- Should I meet up with the meeting organizer, panel moderator and/or panelists?
- Should I mingle with the audience before and/or after?
What to do/What not to do
- Best practices?
- Top 10 mistakes?
- How to appropriately promote your book, product, company?
- How to distinguish yourself/stand out?
Dealing with Concerns
- How to calm my nerves!
- I’m an introvert. How do I jump in the discussion?
- What to do when it’s not great…
How to Create and Engage in the Conversation
- How to bring in a controversial point of view?
- How to disagree without being disagreeable?
- How to connect with the audience (in-person and virtual)?
- Ways to make my message memorable?
- How to jump into the conversation?
- How to encourage the audience to take action?
Answering Questions
- How to answer the curveball/gotcha question?
- How to build a bridge between the question and the answer?
- Who do I answer to?
Following up
- How to thank the meeting organizer, panel moderator and/or fellow panelists?
- What if I want to be on more panels?
I’d love to hear your ideas of what needs to be in this definitive book for panelists on a panel discussion!
For more information about how to moderate a lively & informative panel discussion, check out our free 7-part video series on how to moderate a panel and other resources to help you organize, moderate, or be a panel member.