Are you invited to give a masterclass or lecture? Or are you organizing an event where you want to go beyond the traditional panels and key-notes, but want to something that really inspires the audience, teaches them something valuable and moves them into action? Consider masterclasses, but make sure you get the 3 I’s in.
And now for something completely different
At Moderating.eu, we recently had the privilege of not only moderating, but also support the production of several Masterclasses at the and coaching the speakers of the ‘masterclass series‘ at International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The IACC is the flagship event of Transparency International, with over 2000 participants from around the globe. Most plenary sessions were traditional panels, but for these Masterclasses, the organisers wanted to try something new and different.
They selected speakers with incredible real-life stories about their battles against corruption. Each speaker had 60 minutes to captivate the audience with a new format inspired by TED Talks, moving away from the usual, somewhat monotonous speeches and plenary sessions.
Here’s a wrap-up of the best tips and tricks from our experience, tailored to help you give or organize impactful Masterclasses at your next event.
The golden rule is to ensure you’ve got all I’s on you. Particularly the three I’s: Inspiration, Interaction, and Impact.
- Inspiration: Ensure your Masterclass is rich with personal stories. These anecdotes make your session unique and memorable. A Masterclass without personal stories is just content anyone could deliver. Also try to craft your story so that people can somehow relate.
- Interaction: Plan moments to interact with your audience throughout the session. Remember, the focus is on them, not just on delivering a monologue. Go beyond simple yes/no questions. Ask questions that are easy to answer but still provoke thought and engagement. Avoid overly complex or intimidating questions that might discourage participation.
If you can, incorporate activities, discussions, or interactive media to keep the audience actively involved.
This is not only valuable to keep people awake, it is not only valuable to keep people engaged, it is mostly valuable to make your message stick: People remember 5% of what you say, but 50% of what they discussed.
- Impact: Turn the lens on the participants. Ensure your core message is clear and repeated throughout the session. Reinforce your main points to make a lasting impression. Provide concrete, actionable insights that your audience can apply in their own contexts. Summarize these takeaways at the end of your presentation.
Its not only what you say, it is also how you say it
While the above advice is focused on content, you can also strongly enhance your all 3 I’s by giving special attention to your public speaking skills. Among others, pay attention to your body language. Confident and open gestures help build a connection with your audience. Take your eyes of the slides, your cheat sheet or the ground. Don’t be afraid to make eye contact and engage with your audience personally.
Having a light visual aid with mostly images or minimal text will immensely support your overall success. This keeps the audience focused on you rather than reading slides. It is recommended though for you to create final slides summarizing your core messages and takeaways that the audience can photograph. Consider including a QR code for additional resources or offers if you have any.
One last crucial element, that if not properly handled can make your stress levels sky-rocket even if everything else is in control: the technicalities.
Test your microphone, clicker, slides, camera and other technical elements before starting. The room is very important too. Choose a room that fosters an intimate atmosphere, conducive to interaction and small group discussions. A Masterclass should not be for a vast audience but rather a manageable group where personal connections can be made.
One last crucial element, that if not properly handled can make your stress levels sky-rocket even if everything else is in control: the technicalities.
Test your microphone, clicker, slides, camera and other technical elements before starting. The room is very important too. Choose a room that fosters an intimate atmosphere, conducive to interaction and small group discussions. A Masterclass should not be for a vast audience but rather a manageable group where personal connections can be made.
In conclusion, remember, the 3 I’s—Inspiration, Interaction, and Impact—combined with strong public speaking skills, effective visual support, and smooth technical execution, form the foundation of a great Masterclass.
I hope these tips help you create impactful sessions.
I’d love to see what you create!
If you need support in the production or training/coaching of the speakers, feel free to contact me or Moderating.eu.
