1 Know your audience

Before you design your talk or prepare your questions, you need to know who you are speaking to. What are their backgrounds, interests, and expectations? What are the main challenges or opportunities they face? How can you tailor your message to their needs and goals? You can research your audience by looking at the conference agenda, the attendee list, or the feedback from previous events. You can also ask the organizers or your contacts for more information.

2 Plan your content

Once you have a clear idea of your audience, you can plan your content accordingly. Whether you are giving a solo presentation, a workshop, or a panel discussion, you need to have a clear structure, a strong opening, and a memorable closing. You also need to balance your information, stories, and examples, and use visual aids or interactive elements to support your points. You should also anticipate and prepare for possible questions or objections from the audience or the moderator.

3 Practice your delivery

The best way to improve your delivery is to practice, practice, and practice. You can rehearse your talk or your questions in front of a mirror, a camera, or a friend. You can also record yourself and watch or listen to your performance. You should pay attention to your voice, your body language, and your timing. You should also practice adapting to different scenarios, such as technical issues, interruptions, or difficult questions.

5 Handle feedback

Another key skill of being a great conference speaker or moderator is to handle feedback effectively. You should be open to constructive criticism, compliments, and suggestions from the audience, the organizers, or your peers. You should also thank them for their input and show appreciation for their time and attention. You should also reflect on your performance and identify your strengths and areas for improvement. You can also ask for feedback from trusted sources or use online tools to collect and analyze feedback.

6 Keep learning

The last tip to be a great conference speaker or moderator is to keep learning and improving. You should always seek new opportunities to speak or moderate at conferences, webinars, podcasts, or other events. You should also watch and learn from other speakers or moderators who inspire you or challenge you. You should also read books, articles, blogs, or newsletters on topics related to your field or your presentation skills. You should also join communities or networks of speakers or moderators who can support you and share best practices.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?