Being in the Moment
Esther van der Voort, a member of our Masters in Moderation familyand a stand-up comedian, advises, "Make sure you are in the moment, so you can react to everything that happens. For instance, a late entry of a participant, sound or presentation failure, or a spontaneous reaction of a participant. If your audience feels you are in the moment, they will step in it with you." This readiness allows you to react spontaneously, making your audience feel engaged and present with you.
Pacing Your Performance
Think of pacing as the rhythm of your event's heartbeat. Too slow, and you'll lose them. Too fast, and they'll struggle to keep up. Here, Adam Fields, another esteemed member of the MiM family, and a veteran stand-up comedian, shares his insight, "Feeling the energy in the room, tapping into that, and then either bringing it up or down as necessary is crucial." Adapting to the room's energy makes each moment resonate perfectly with the audience.
Smooth Transitions - The Key to Seamless Flow
Transitions should be so smooth that your audience barely notices the shift from one topic to the next, yet remains entirely captivated. These are the moments that guide your audience through the event, making every part feel like a piece of a grand, well-thought-out narrative.
Striking the Right Tone
Adam Fields emphasizes, "Hitting the right tone is key. Sometimes you have to keep it formal and other times you can be quite raucous. Whatever works best for that crowd at a particular moment. You need to have all your senses firing in order to pick up on their social cues." It’s about engaging the audience with gentle prodding and poking, but never too much.
Like stand-up comedians who use observational humor to bond with their audience, moderators also aim to establish a connection. This rapport isn’t just about engaging the crowd; it’s about creating an atmosphere of trust and participation. Remember. timing isn't just a skill, it's your secret weapon. With these insights from our own MiM family members, Esther van der Voort and Adam Fields, you're not just hosting an event; you're creating an experience. Stay present, feel the energy, and watch how timing can turn your next event into an unforgettable performance!
