Converso producer and moderator Vieri Berretti
At Converso, we create events that are reputation-enhancing for the people and organizations we work with. Having produced hundreds of events, we know a great moderator when we see one. Want to improve your own moderating? See our top tips below.
But first, let’s get practical.
Telephone town hall moderators should:
Greet the audience
Introduce speakers
State the purpose of the meeting
Explain how a telephone town hall works
Tell participants how to get in line to ask a question
Introduce participants going live on air
Read out poll questions
Is there more to it? Yes!
Your moderator sets the tone. Most of the time, a moderator should have a calm, respectful tone.
What’s in your back pocket?
Participants get bored by serial monologues. Prepare 5-10 questions to create a conversation between your moderator and guest speakers. This way your key messages are chunked into digestible bits and more participants will stay on the call. Prepared questions also provide back-up to keep the conversation going if participants are slow to raise their hands.
Internal or external?
While an experienced host can add polish, we find that knowledgeable members of the organization make the best moderators . Plus, moderating is a great way to showcase your organization’s talent and elevate a leader’s profile. A board chair, elected official, or president can use the moderator’s role to demonstrate commitment to a project while hosting the subject matter experts.
Consider someone who:
Is used to public speaking or chairing meetings
Has a genuine interest in the topic
Has credibility with the audience
“Um, uh…” and “stuff like that”
A telephone town hall is not the time to wing it. Even experienced speakers can find themselves at a loss of words. Give your clients a script template so they can conduct the meeting smoothly.
Another thing: Don’t assume your moderator knows the guest speakers’ names and titles with proper pronunciation - double check and include these in the script.
Pop quiz: Can your moderator read the remarks? Encourage them to practice with an audience and tweak the script until it sounds natural.
Slow down
A great moderator speaks slowly and clearly. Converso producer/moderator Vieri Berretti recently coached a client to slow down by saying, “You know how the camera adds ten pounds? An audio event adds speed.” Give your participants time to understand what you are saying.
Empathy, even if a shoe squeaks
An empathetic tone is critical for creating an atmosphere of respect and trust. In meetings dealing with pandemic response and extreme weather emergencies, participants are vulnerable or can share sensitive information. “Put your empathy hat on,” Vieri tells clients.
Another thing: No matter what happens behind the scenes, never laugh. The good will you created by hosting your event will be lost if the moderator or speakers seem contemptuous or uncaring, even by mistake.
With thoughtful planning and practice, your moderator will help create a great town hall experience for everyone.