9 considerations to craft and convene better virtual panels

A panel featuring compelling speakers is an excellent tactic for building thought leadership and brand recognition.

A well-organized, thoughtful discussion about key industry issues showcases expertise to clients, prospects and often trade journalists. It’s also an excellent way to fill the sales funnel.

However, assembling a top-notch panel is no easy task while most of us are still staying put at home, struggling to juggle it all. While many elements are the same as piecing together a live event, there are crucial differences to consider.

Here are some tips to plan and successfully execute a virtual panel:

Schedule it during the work day.

Before the pandemic, most people would attend industry panels after office hours in order to network. It was a fun way to catch up with colleagues and contacts, learn something new, and grab a drink to decompress after work. That’s not the case today. People are sick of screens and want to sign off after work to be with their families or just relax. To accommodate and counter Zoom fatigue, virtual panels may attract more attendees when they’re scheduled in the afternoon.