How to Make Your Next Panel Appearance Memorable was originally published on Ivy Exec.
Speaking on a panel is a big deal since it lets you showcase your personality, share ideas, and connect with other professionals. However, it can also be nerve-wracking, especially if you have limited experience or are in a room full of thought leaders.
While you may have deep knowledge about the topic you will cover, you must be creative to ensure your appearance is memorable. Let’s cover how you can make a great first impression.
👉 Understand Your Unique Role
Panel moderators choose who to invite based on various aspects. So, you may have received an invite due to your years of experience or unique executive presence. The opportunity might also be thanks to your ability to explain ideas clearly or address a group of people who don’t feel heard.
Figure out your role by reviewing your invitation or consulting the organizers. Once you determine what they expect you to offer, you’ll feel more confident. You’ll know when to speak up and understand the points your audience needs to hear from you.
👉 Know the Panel and the Moderator
Before participating in a panel, know who else will be speaking. Look up your fellow panelists and determine their background and areas of expertise. It’s also vital to understand the topics they mostly focus on and the tone they use.
These details will help you prepare your ideas uniquely to add value to the conversation. It also allows you to avoid repeating the same points as others.
After researching the other panels, learn more about the moderator. Try to find videos of panels they led in the past and pay attention to how they guide the discussion.
Do they ask direct questions and moderate the conversation? Or, do they prefer open discussions and allow panelists to speak freely?
Understanding their approach will help you adjust your responses and present your ideas while respecting each party.
👉 Plan Your Talking Points Without Memorizing Them
While panels often feel spontaneous, the most memorable speakers are the ones who plan ahead. So, one of the smartest things you can do is prepare your talking points. Think about questions that often come up in panels, such as:
- What’s a current challenge in your field?
- Which significant trends are you seeing?
- What’s a mistake you learned from?
- Which advice would you give the audience?
Anticipating such questions allows you to be more fluent and provide detailed answers. Still, you shouldn’t memorize the answers to ensure they don’t sound rehearsed or robotic.
Organize your thoughts around the key points and personal stories. For example, instead of memorizing your advice word for word, focus on remembering the experience that taught you a lesson. By doing so, you’ll speak naturally while sharing a meaningful message.
Practicing your answers is the best way to refine them and ensure clarity. Record yourself and watch the video to determine if you sound confident.
Additionally, ask yourself if your message is clear and if you’d enjoy listening to yourself as a panel member. With enough practice, you’ll become more aware of your tone and pace.
👉 Speak with Clarity and Purpose
When on a panel, ensure every member in the audience can understand your message. Don’t try to impress by using trendy phrases or industry jargon. Every point you share should be easy to follow and helpful.
You may feel pressured to talk fast or provide vague information if you have a short window to talk. However, doing so will only confuse your audience and make the conversation hard to follow.
Use clear communication to show you’re confident about what you’re covering. Speak as if you’re explaining your idea to someone smart but brand new to the topic.
Besides, give your audience visuals by using simple comparisons and familiar examples. These strategies help you stand out as someone who connects well with others.
👉 Tell Memorable Stories
Sharing facts informs and educates your audience, but stories will leave a lasting impression. When the moderator or a fellow panelist asks you to describe a challenge you faced or a lesson you’ve learned, don’t just list information.
Tell a story that reflects who you are to connect with your audience. Start by briefly explaining what happened and highlighting the problem or opportunity.
Then, mention how it made you feel and how you handled it. You can then explain how the experience shaped your mindset or behavior. With a simple storytelling structure, you can make your message memorable, even with limited time.
When choosing a story to tell during your panel appearance, ensure it reflects your values. It should show how you approach problems and showcase your leadership style.
If you want to emphasize the importance of teamwork, for example, share a story about how project collaboration led to a breakthrough. If your goal is to highlight resilience, describe when you faced failure and found a way forward.
👉 Contribute Without Overpowering Other Panelists
Speaking in a panel requires you to be part of a conversation, without trying to dominate it. Instead of responding to every question or comment, share your ideas only when they add value to the conversation. Before giving your input, ask yourself the following questions:
- Can I expand on what my fellow panelist said?
- Do I have a different perspective that adds depth?
- Will my opinion help the audience think more clearly?
- Is now the right time to speak?
- Can I connect my point to the overall theme of the panel?
If the answer to such questions is yes, confidently share your thoughts. If it’s not, stay silent and allow others to give their thoughts and opinions.
Active listening is a key skill every professional panelist should have. It shows respect for your fellow speakers and helps you engage in a meaningful way.
Practice active listening and resist the urge to plan your response while others are still talking. You’ll prove you’re present and contributing to the conversation, not just waiting for a moment to speak.
Leave a Lasting Impression
Speaking on a panel is a unique opportunity, so you should maximize it. Understand your unique role and plan your talking points to make your message impactful.
Furthermore, speak with confidence and use storytelling to connect with your audience. It’s also vital to be thoughtful and respect your fellow panelists.
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