Why guest speakers matter in webinars

Webinars are a great way to foster communication between hosts and their audience. Inviting the right guest speaker whose expertise and experience align with event's theme adds significant value, transforming the event into an insightful experience. Guest speakers bring fresh perspectives, boost credibility, and help attract a wider audience. 
 

Preparing for the guest speaker

Research and relevance

A thorough research on the guest speaker’s background, industry, and work is vital. It enables you to craft relevant questions that evoke meaningful responses. 

Audience and requirement 

Understanding the audience’s expectations is critical. Tailoring the event experience to meet their requirement makes it more engaging and retains audience attention. 

Rapport and conversation

Before the event begins, establish a friendly rapport with the guest speaker. Engaging in a brief conversation helps them feel comfortable and confident. 

Preparation and collaboration

Share your planned questions ahead of time. Advance preparation allows the speaker to consider their answers and deliver deeper, more thoughtful responses.

Engagement and interaction

Pay close attention to the speaker’s responses, if an answer sparks a new topic, follow up with additional questions. This interaction keeps the event lively. 

Questions to ask the guest speaker

Key question categories 

• Introductory: Help the speaker introduce themselves and their journey.
• Expertise: Explore the speaker’s knowledge, skills, and experiences.
• Early career: Gain insight into their initial steps and career growth.
• Perspectives: Discuss unique approaches or philosophies.
• Inspiration: Uncover what motivates and fuels their passion.
• Interactive: Ask for fun facts or personal stories to keep the tone relatable.

What not to ask

Avoid questions on political, religious, or controversial topics that might put the speaker in an awkward position. Steer clear of overly personal and generic questions that could disrupt the flow or audience focus.

Using webinar features for engagement

Modern platforms such as Zoho Webinar offer interactive tools:

• Polls: Gather audience responses and feedback in real time.
• Q&A: Enable direct audience-speaker interaction.
• Allow-to-Talk: Invite participants to share their questions live.
• Raise Hands/Reactions: Let attendees engage through real-time emotions.

These features create a more conversational and dynamic environment, enhancing the value of the session for both guests and participants.

Wrapping up

Effective webinars thrive on meaningful engagement, and guest speakers play a vital role in enriching this experience. By carefully selecting speakers and asking thoughtful, well-prepared questions not only draws out valuable insights but also fosters authentic conversations that resonate with the audience, leaving a lasting impression.