Choosing the right moderator is no small task. Your team has done the work to develop and implement the ultimate event experience and now it’s time to bring it to life. But all the planning and perfecting is moot if you don’t have the right person in place to expertly deliver your content to audiences. Reputation, presentation skills, and the ability to connect to an audience all come into play when choosing the ideal candidate. How will this person convey important messaging to your attendees? Does their public persona align with the values of your company? Over twenty-five years of event strategy experience has helped us understand what to look for when you’re on the hunt for a great moderator. Keep these key elements in mind as you search for the best fit for your event.
And don’t worry if you’ve been tapped to moderate an event— this posting will also help you prepare for the big day.
Check the Vibe
Find someone who can represent the type of event well. A formal event like an investor day or a shareholders meeting might benefit from a member of the company’s executive leadership team to bring credibility and relevance. For an event that is a little more casual, a celebrity, journalist, or someone outside of the industry who is highly regarded might be appropriate to attract more attendees.
Moderators, what’s your connection to this event? Are you an industry insider or does your expertise lie elsewhere? Maybe you bring a fresh perspective or a unique experience to the table. Either way, you’ve been chosen to serve as the face for this event. Be sure to brush up on the company history, products, goals, and the audience you’ll be speaking to. Think of the ways you can connect with them and engage their interests and their personal stories.
Think Like Your Audience
Find someone who understands your audience. Considering your target audience when choosing the right moderator is essential. Do attendees already know this person? You may decide to go with a big name who doesn't necessarily have ties to the host, event, or audience—and that's OK! You can teach a moderator the ins and outs of your business and audience segments, and they might draw audiences of their own that you otherwise wouldn’t have access to. Set your moderator up for success by providing them with the background knowledge they’ll need so they can speak with confidence.
Moderators, do a little digging of your own. Find out who will be participating and learn a little more about what they bring to this event. Remember, in some ways, you're acting on behalf of the audience. Think of what they want to walk away from your session knowing.
Make Magic Happen
Find someone who can bring the same magic to different formats. Will your event be live, prerecorded, or a combination of both? Every moderator has a different skill set and it can be hard to know how they carry over to different mediums. For example, someone who excels at in-person events may have a difficult time connecting with attendees in a virtual environment. A large venue needs someone with a commanding and engaging presence, where something smaller or more intimate might not.
And lastly, take the opportunity to rehearse! This should include practicing your own performance, and, if you are appearing from your home or office, staging your background, checking your lighting, and making sure your internet connection (if required) is stable.
Moderators, take charge of whatever space you’re in! If you’re in person and on stage, think about how you might work the stage. If it’s a virtual environment, keep in mind that people have been joining meetings from their devices for over a year. Find a way to enhance your background—even your outfit—and connect them to the event or the company you’re representing. Bring the energy level up a notch to keep people engaged.
Finding someone to represent your event or company can be an exciting, creative, and rewarding challenge. Once you define your goals, key messages, and tone, coming up with a list of appropriate people to help bring it together should be more manageable. And don’t forget about your biggest talent pool—people within your own organization. They’ll likely have an advantage when it comes to the content and how best to communicate with your audience. If you decide look outside your company, we suggest creating a list of what you want in a moderator, including the price you’re willing to pay for talent, and a list of traits to help you in your search. No matter who you need, the steps outlined in this blog will help you find the right person for the job.
Looking for a partner to help you choose the right moderator or create an effective strategy for your next event? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us on our contact page.