At online-only events, where both the participants and all the active performers are connected via video conference, the moderator has a special role to play. As at any other event, the moderator welcomes the participants, introduces the agenda and the topic, introduces the speakers, creates creative transitions, keeps the audience entertained and ensures a successful conclusion to the event. However, at an online-only event, perfect moderation is an even greater challenge than at an on-site event.
There is no patent formula for a successful online event moderation, because in the end it is the moderator’s very own style that makes a moderation come alive. But there are a few golden rules that every moderator can follow to do a perfect job:
1. Prepare a script, but do not read it word after word.
Good preparation is essential, even for online events. A script is not only important for all speakers, but also for the moderator in order to get optimally prepared for the event. It also helps to keep the thread in stressful situations. Tip: Create a script – for yourself – in which you write down the exact wording for the welcome, the introduction, the introduction of the speakers, etc. This will help you get in a good mood for the moderation. However, refrain from reading off the script during the event, because this is "stiff" and not very authentic. After all, when you’re talking to a friend, you don’t pull a piece of paper out of your pocket and read it off. "Speaking as if to a good friend" should be the goal of the moderator in order to create a positive atmosphere.
2. Focus on the target group.
Talk only a little about your own goals (or the goals of the organizer), but moderate from the perspective of the audience. Replace "We-related" statements like: "Today we present to you …" with "Recipient-related" statements like: "Today you can be excited about … ".
3. Involve the audience.
Avoid long-winded introductions and monologues. Pick up on spontaneous reactions from the audience, ask a question, ask for opinions. Especially at online events, monologues by the moderator quickly reduce the attention of the audience. It is your job to keep the excitement going. So, prepare a few interactive elements that turn the audience into active participants.
4. Speak personally.
Give your presentation a "personal touch" so that people listen to you. Stay neutral in your moderator role towards the topic and also towards all speakers. But don’t speak in a too detached way. What counts is your voice and the emotions you convey. Show empathy! Start the presentation with a humorous anecdote or talk about a personal experience that connects you to the topic of the event.
5. Talk to people, not to screens.
Especially during online events via video conference, it is often difficult to recognize individual faces. As a presenter, this makes it difficult to build a good (personal) connection with the audience. The trick: place one or two "personas" (i.e., a poster or display of one or two people who are representing the participants) behind the camera so that you are speaking to "real" people. This increases your empathy. Also, don’t stand rigidly, but use positive body language (hands / gestures are especially important at digital events). Don’t listen when people tell you to stand "motionless" in front of the camera. Most online events suffer primarily from a lack of liveliness.
6. Prepare some creative lead-ins.
An important task of the moderator at online events is to keep the online audience excited about the various agenda items. Therefore, come up with some creative lead-ins to draw participants' attention from one agenda item to the next. This works best with a breeze of humor. For example, tell about a (small) mishap that was successfully solved, or tease a curious rumor that is circulating but there is no truth to it, as the following speaker will prove …
7. Stay flexible, keep cool!
As a moderator, you’re responsible for staying on schedule. Keep an eye on the agenda, but still remain flexible. Don’t simply brush off an unexpected number of questions from the audience. Prepare a plan B for such imponderables in advance of the show. How do you handle it if a speaker finishes way too early and there are no questions from the audience? What do you do when a presenter throws around technical terms that no one understands? Have a few good ideas to deal with such problematic situations in mind.
One last tip:
The more often you slip into the role of moderator, the more confidence you will build up as a "trouble shooter" and the more confident you will appear in your moderating role. So check in confidently the next time it’s, "Who’s actually going to moderate our next web event?"
Cover photo: EventMasterBook editorial team (EventMasterBook.com | Photo / Source: canva.com)
Related topics:
Moderation, event moderation, moderator, moderation, online events, digital events, web events, online event, online moderation, online moderator, tips, moderation tips.
(Please note: This article was translated from the German language. Please excuse any errors. The original text can be found at: eventmasterbook.de)
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