Webinar protocols

Managing questions and discussion is an important element of a successful webinar as it ensures active participation and interaction. The moderator plays a key role in regulating this part of the session.

First, it is necessary to establish rules for asking questions. Participants can be encouraged to use the chat, the call-to-action/virtual hand-raising function, or to ask questions live when the moderator gives them the floor. This avoids interrupting the presenter and ensures order.

The moderator should decide whether questions will be addressed immediately during the presentation or at the end in a separate segment. In practice, it is often effective to combine both approaches, with shorter comments in progress and more detailed questions at the end.

For larger webinars, it is recommended to hire an additional person who monitors the chat and selects relevant questions. She then forwards them to the moderator to avoid overloading the lecturer.

During the discussion, the moderator should take into account the time and balance of the participants, so that noone dominates the conversation and that different opinions can be heard and conveyed. If inappropriate comments arise, the moderator has the right to turn off the microphone or warn the participant.

Finally, it is a good idea to summarize the questions and comments at the end and tie them back to the main topics of the webinar. This encourages a sense of engagement and ensures that participants receive clear answers.