You’ve made it on stage for your first panel, finally! After months of prep (not to mention the years you’ve spent building your company and establishing your brand!), the mic is in your hand and you can’t wait to share your brilliant ideas.
But as the stage lights are shining and you look into the sea of faces staring up at you– waiting to be blessed by your wisdom– it can be easy to get carried away and lose track of the messages you came to share.
Alas, cred’s got you! The very core values our team leans on daily are the same tools that will ensure you have a knock-out performance.
Speak Your Truth
As you prepare for your panel, make a list of 2-3 key messages you want to share, and find ways to incorporate them into your discussion. Stay present, listen carefully to each panelist, and do your best to organically weave your talking points into the conversation. Better yet, use data and anecdotes to back up your messages to help your audience connect emotionally to the content.
Also don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through or to have differing opinions than your fellow panelists! Varying ideas add dimension to the discussion and will keep your audience engaged. That said, as you stay true to your thoughts and expertise, remember to be respectful of your co-presenters. Which brings us to our next tip… Share the mic!
Share the Mic
Here at cred, one of our most cherished values is “sharing the mic.” We win together and lose together. When you’re on stage, in order to have a real win, allowing space for your fellow panelists to also shine is paramount. Everyone deserves their allotted speaking time. So be sure to smile and listen attentively as the mic is passed around (psst, our tips for using your body language to connect here!).
Another simple way to share the mic is acknowledging the comments and expertise shared by your fellow panelists throughout your own speech. By referencing a point made by another panelist, or by giving a brief compliment to the panelist who spoke before you, you’re not only creating a sense of comradery on stage, you’re making the conversation more cohesive.
Enjoy the Show
Lastly, remember to enjoy yourself! You’ve worked hard to earn your spot on the panel, so soak up the experience. Take a few deep breaths as you walk on stage, and lean into the thrill of the spotlight. Your passion and positive energy will translate through your speaking and will in turn excite the audience about your message.
At the end of your panel, as you hand the microphone back to the moderator and walk off stage, we’re confident you will have given a stellar performance and have established yourself further as an industry thought leader.
Curious about ramping up your public speaking opportunities? Get in touch! And if you’d like to stay up to date on our latest tips like these, subscribe to our newsletter.
