Guest speakers are a great addition to any webinar or virtual event. A survey by EventMB found that 45% of respondents said that a high-profile speaker would be the biggest factor in convincing them to attend a webinar or virtual event.
There can be so many topics to cover when speaking with an expert in the field youâre interested in - but if you donât know where to start, weâve got you covered! Weâve compiled 60 questions to ask guest speakers to make your next webinar or virtual event a hit, ranging from icebreakers to engaging questions that dig a little deeper. Compile a list of some of the following questions for guest speakers to prepare for your virtual event and make it a great one.
The best questions to ask a guest speaker at a virtual event are ones where your audience can learn valuable information about the topic or the speaker themselves. Itâll benefit you and your attendees to familiarize yourself with your speaker before the virtual event so you can formulate the best questions that will bring the most insightful information to the event. Get to know their passions and what they are the proudest of in their professional career. As you talk with the guest speaker during your event, listen carefully to what they say, so you can respond as you naturally would make the experience better for everyone involved.
According to data shared by Corporate Communication Experts, the average audience attention span is only 8 to 10 minutes. If youâre hosting the virtual event, make the event fun and engaging for your audience by incorporating different opportunities for interaction! Choose a platform where you can hold live polls asking if your event viewers agree or disagree with what the speaker is saying, or have viewers send in any questions they have for the guest speakers through a hashtag on social media.Â
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There are certain topics or questions to avoid when conversing with guest speakers during a virtual event. A rule of thumb for any event is to stay away from questions that focus on politics or religion, as well as any topics that may be more sensitive. To ensure you donât overstep the boundaries of the guest speaker, some hosts find it beneficial to ask the speaker ahead of time if there are any specific topics or questions theyâd rather steer clear of. Your guest speakers should feel confident and excited to speak at your virtual event and not worry theyâll say something they regret!Â
During your virtual event, a key tactic you want to incorporate is engagement with your viewers. Since it is virtual and not in-person, itâs important that you prioritize which hosting platform you use. Many virtual event platforms include engagement features such as polls, gamification, live chats and more.Â
With the right questions, you can make your guest speakers segment an absolute hit at your next virtual event! No matter what industry your virtual event is for, there are many ways you can find a great guest speaker. Do some digging and search within your network of friends, family, and past or present colleagues. Check your larger network of connections, or if itâs someone who who has lots of experience in a relevant field, see if your team can reach out to them or their team. No matter who you choose as a guest speaker, make sure itâs someone with a solid reputation and someone who can relate to your industry audience. Itâs important to keep who you choose to represent your business in mind, as 80.2% of event organizers have been able to reach larger audiences with virtual events. The platform you choose to host your event makes a big difference as well - a virtual event platform like Hubilo can help you put together a great virtual event filled with positive engagement and custom branding features! Request a demo today to know more!
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