I’ve produced and hosted what seems like hundreds of events. I’ve been on stages all around the world — to audiences of thousands, hundreds and even just a handful of people.
This article is a quick guide for event planners, hosts, speakers and for MICROPHONE RUNNERS in how to have the best Q&A experience ever.
- Don’t be shy. Be proactive in your microphone running and don’t be shy. Remember you hold the mic YOU are in charge (in conjunction with the host)
- Be proactive. Instead of waiting for the speaker to ask for the “next question”, you raise your hand, with your back to the speaker and you facing the audience indicating to the audience that you want to know who has a question. YOU then be READY for the next question, it moves things along.
- Don’t encourage MIC hogs. When the attendee is finished with their question, politely take the microphone and go find the next question (see my point 3 above) in this way you are always keeping the questions flowing and in motion.
- When you are ready for the next question, be sure to raise your hand so the SPEAKER knows where you are and thus where the attendee is with the question. On stage sometimes the lights are very bright and you can’t see where the “mic runner is”. So be sure to HOLD your hand hi or do a simple, “here” so the speaker knows where you are.
- Kneel down — if you’re standing next to an attendee that is in the middle it’s polite to the other attendees for you to KNEEL as the attendee is asking the question. In this way you are not in the way of other attendees, of the camera or etc.
BONUS
I’ve also served as an event host and all around “help at the event guy”, there’s a few things to keep in mind.
- Be proactive — LOOK around the room for PROBLEMS
- Scan the audience — I always scan the audience for two reasons. One to make sure they’re having a good time and TWO — to see if there are problems. Often times I’ve seen someone tapping their ear to indicate to me that they could not hear.
- Know audio technology — as “help at the event guy” — it’s important that I’m able to turn up volume, change batteries on hand held mics and so much more. At most bigger events you’ll have an audio team that can take care of this but at some events YOU might be the one to “save the day”.
- Know about computers — there’s been MORE than one event where I’ve helped a speaker get their Power Point / Keynote working or in other ways. At times someone brought a computer that could not connect and I’ve helped out. If YOU know HDMI vs VGA and USB and etc you can help and be an asset
- Touch base with the event host or organizer. I always check in verbally or at least make eye contact with the event organizer or host to ensure I’m doing things ok and/or that they’re ok.
Gene Marks has a nice article here about how to make your corporate event a success.
