So, you’re going to be on a panel and the nerves are settling in? Worry not, David says there are a few things you can do before the event to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

1. Brainstorm questions with the host
Find a way to chat with the host before the event so you can feel at ease with their presence. You can let them know the topics you’d like to expand on and even share with them some tough questions you’d be willing to touch upon during the event. Write down a couple of those and share them with the host. This will spare you any awkward feelings later and will help the host to get an idea of how to navigate the conversation. Of course, they can always surprise you with different questions, but it doesn’t hurt trying.

2. Research the audience
As in every other context, knowing your audience will help you involve them in the discussion. Think of the audience while trying to answer the following questions ahead of the show: is my topic relatable to them, am I credible, can I be concise but compelling? If you tick them all, then you’re probably already ahead with your public speaking skills.

3. Ditch the script
David advises not to memorise scripts or read from them when speaking on panels. This would deprive you from genuine human behaviour. Instead, only rehearse the opening and ending lines, as they should re-affirm your key message.

Preparing for the above-mentioned key points will help you feel comfortable with the unusual environment you’ll be put in, but what to do during the conversation to maintain that confidence? David Goad shares some helpful tips to improve your professional presence.

1. Mind your body language
Avoid slouching and remember that even when you’re not speaking, you still are on camera. If you don’t know where to look when not speaking, just look at the camera. In complete agreement with another Present to Succeed speaker, Mark Bowden, Goad says that your audience will be influenced by what you communicate nonverbally.

2. Avoid softening language
The audience will surely pick up your uncertainty if you use too many filler words like erm, I was hoping to, etc. Instead, embrace the courage to pause. Pauses help your message sink in.

3. Encourage questions
Questions from the audience are the ultimate ice-breaker. David says that the sooner you get questions, the more of them you’ll get. Make sure you discuss that in advance with the moderator and the fellow-panelists so that you all know when and how you’ll be taking questions from the audience.

Have you heard of curveball questions? Or of inviting your audience to the “re-living room”? Wondering what to say when you don’t know the answer to a question? These and many more pro tips on being a great panelist await you in the full session recording from the Present to Succeed Public Speaking module. If you happen to be on speaking panels a lot, it’s worth hearing what David Goad has to say about this.