Live news reporting

How to engage readers through Live Q&A

How to engage readers through Live Q&A
Norkon Team
August 20, 2024

Live Questions & Answers sessions are one of the most effective formats for driving reader engagement on online newspaper platforms. Unlike static articles, Q&As provide a dynamic, interactive experience that keeps readers coming back for more. Many publishers leverage platforms like Live Center to host these sessions directly on their websites, driving traffic and fostering deeper connections with their audience. In this blog post, we’ll provide practical advice on running successful live Q&As with Live Center—from preparing your team and sourcing questions to moderating discussions and maintaining the conversation even after the session ends.

But before diving into the how-tos, let’s explore why live Q&As are so beneficial for both the audience and journalists. Not only do these sessions encourage active participation from readers, but they also provide journalists with direct feedback and insight into the topics that matter most to their audience. This two-way dialogue can significantly enhance reader loyalty and trust, making live Q&As a valuable tool for any news outlet looking to strengthen its digital presence.

Watch the tutorial on YouTube

What is a Live Q&A and why is it important for engagement on your news site?

A Live Q&A, also known as Live Chat, is a real-time interactive web application that enables readers to engage directly with journalists by asking questions and sharing opinions on current topics. These sessions provide a dynamic platform for immediate interaction, allowing journalists to respond in real-time, fostering a sense of community among participants. There are several compelling reasons to host these short, impactful live Q&A sessions:

1. Increase Engagement

In today’s digital landscape and in the face of the prominent presence of social media, readers expect news to be immediate and interactive. They want more than just to consume content; they want to be seen and heard, to ask questions, share opinions, and be part of a community. Live Q&A sessions meet these expectations by placing readers at the center of the conversation, making them feel valued and heard. This real-time interaction not only boosts engagement but also helps build a deeper connection with your audience, giving you insights into their needs and expectations—an essential metric for success in online journalism.

2. Enhance Online Presence

The highly engaging nature of Live Q&As also expands your online presence and reach. By promoting these sessions through social media, paid ads, private messages, and email campaigns, you can attract a wider audience. Additionally, when viewers find value in the Q&A, they are more likely to share it with their networks, further amplifying your reach and potentially growing your audience quickly.

Here are some tips on how to maximize the quality, productivity, and engagement of your live sessions.

How to successfully start a Live Q&A?

Plan the Topics

When organizing a Live Q&A, it’s crucial to select a topic that resonates with your audience—something they care about and are eager to discuss. Equally important is choosing the right experts and journalists who are well-versed in the subject matter and can provide insightful, real-time answers.

Sky News in the UK successfully conducted a Live Q&A session around the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland and selecting knowledgeable panelists, ensuring that the discussion is relevant and engaging for their audience.

 

One of the largest Danish financial publisher, Euroinvestor, recently hosted a live Q&A session with Live Center, featuring a high-profile financial expert and chief analyst to answer readers’ questions about the stock market and investment recommendations.

Live QA Euroinvestor

(Google page translated from Danish to English)

Hockeysvergie, Sweden’s highly popular hockey news site, organized a live Q&A, or live chat, with its readers just ahead of the final game of the 2024 world championship. 

Using Q&A at Hockeysvergie

Using Q&A at Hockeysvergie

 

Spread the Word

Pre-promotion is essential to ensure a successful Live Q&A. It helps notify potential audiences about when and where the session will take place and encourages them to submit questions in advance. Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are excellent for promotion, especially to attract a younger audience to your site. Additionally, consider asking interviewees or participants to share the event details to amplify reach. Promoting live chats prominently on your main page with large banners or alert articles can also grab attention. An additional way to inform your subscribers can be to send out an email to ensure they don’t miss out on the event.

Managing Questions and Moderation

Effective management of questions is crucial during Live Q&As. Using tools like Live Center, questions can be collected collaboratively, which is particularly helpful when participating journalists are not in the same location. The team can claim questions they want to address and notify others when a reader’s question is being answered. Once the team has selected the most engaging and relevant questions, they can respond in real time or choose to publish answers later if needed. Journalists also have the flexibility to enrich their answers with videos, images, and social media posts, providing additional context and making the session more interactive and informative.

How Live Center Enhances Engagement

Live Center facilitates real-time collection and management of reader questions, allowing journalists to respond directly by clicking the “new post” button. This streamlined process ensures a smooth and dynamic Q&A experience, keeping the audience engaged and informed throughout the session.

Comment and Q&A moderation in Live Center

Live Center offers robust pre-moderation features that automatically block abusive comments and users, freeing journalists from dealing with disruptive behavior. To enhance comment moderation, Live Center provides several options, including spam and profanity filters. Additionally, we offer the ability to create custom features, such as blocking comments based on specific keywords, implementing a reCAPTCHA for user verification, or using IP rate limiting to control the frequency of posts. These tools can be tailored to fit your needs and ensure a safe and engaging environment for your audience.

Watch the tutorial on YouTube

Follow-Up After the Live Chat

Many experts recommend thanking participants who asked questions and contributed to the discussion, perhaps with a personal acknowledgment like, “Thank you for your question!” A warm follow-up and gratitude can encourage readers to return for future Q&As and even share their positive experiences with friends and family, helping to grow your audience and foster a loyal community.

Looking to grow your audience and engagement on your website? Reach out to start a free trial today!


Frequently Asked Questions

How do questions engage the reader?

Questions actively involve readers by inviting them to participate and share their thoughts or concerns. In a Live Q&A format, readers are encouraged to ask specific queries about topics they care about, making the experience personalized and interactive. This direct engagement allows readers to feel seen and heard, fostering a sense of inclusion and connection. For example, platforms like Live Center facilitate this by allowing journalists to directly address readers’ queries, making the interaction dynamic and meaningful.

How do you engage readers’ attention?

Readers’ attention is captured through strategic topic selection, pre-event promotion, and real-time interactivity. Choosing relevant and timely subjects that resonate with the audience ensures their interest. Pre-promotion through social media and email campaigns builds anticipation, while the live aspect of Q&As adds urgency and excitement. During the session, features like multimedia-rich answers (e.g., including videos or images) and robust moderation keep the experience seamless and engaging, ensuring readers remain focused throughout.

Which technique is most helpful to engage readers?

The most effective technique to engage readers is real-time interactivity, as seen in Live Q&A sessions. This approach enables immediate dialogue between journalists and readers, creating a conversational and engaging atmosphere. Tools like Live Center enhance this experience by streamlining the management of questions, ensuring quick responses, and enriching the interaction with multimedia elements. This dynamic, two-way communication fosters deeper connections and keeps readers returning for future sessions.

Want to know more?

">