OK, so you've been asked to moderate a fireside chat or onstage interview at a conference. These are my five best tips, from preparation and research to getting the audience engaged and ending strong. They're based on my experience moderating LOTs of fireside chats at conferences around the world, with speakers like Malcolm Gladwell, Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, inventor Dean Kamen, futurist Ray Kurzweil, Craigslist founder Craig Newmark, former Boston mayor Kim Janey, etc.

The video is intended to be helpful to both moderators, and event organizers including fireside chats in their agendas.

After the video, I've included some bonus footage from actual fireside chats I've moderated with entrepreneur Steve Papa; Lucasfilm exec Vicki Dobbs Beck; Internet memesmith Ze Frank; and former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick.

Related to this is my video, "How to Moderate a Panel Using Just One Index Card":

   • How to Moderate a Panel Using Just On...