The fireside chat has rapidly emerged as the preferred format at investor conferences, replacing traditional prepared remarks and PowerPoint decks with a more dynamic, conversational approach to presenting the company’s story. While the tone of these more informal, moderated conversations may appear casual, the most successful fireside chats are anything but improvised.
Here are five essential tips to make your next fireside chat both compelling and credible—grounded in preparation and delivered with impact.
- Define Your Strategic Messaging in Advance
Don’t mistake the informal format for a free-form conversation. Start by identifying 3-5 key messages you want investors to take away. These should be aligned with your long-term strategy, growth drivers, and investment thesis. Whether the questions go exactly as expected or not, knowing your core themes allows you to bring the conversation back to what matters most.
Practical Takeaway: Often, the analyst moderating the chat will share questions in advance—or even ask you to suggest questions. This is a valuable opportunity to ensure the discussion hits on what matters most to investors while emphasizing the core messages you want to communicate. Don’t leave this opportunity on the table—be deliberate in guiding the conversation toward your strongest strategic narrative.
- Rehearse Aloud and Practice Message-Driven Responses
Even with the questions in hand, it’s not enough to review them passively. Schedule a mock session with your IR officer or communications coach and rehearse aloud. Focus on speaking conversationally while integrating key messages into your answers. Think of each question as a gateway to reinforce one of your major themes—be it operational excellence, market opportunity, margin expansion, or long-term growth. Practicing this out loud will help you find the most natural, effective way to deliver these messages with clarity and ease.
Practical Takeaway: Anticipate follow-up questions and practice bridging back to your messaging without sounding scripted. The goal is to be fluent, not memorized.
- Speak as a Strategic Leader, Not Just a Reporter of Facts
Investors aren’t looking for a rehash of your last earnings call. They want to understand how you’re thinking about the future. Elevate your responses by aligning them with your long-term growth strategy and investment thesis. When discussing performance, be sure to connect it back to how you’re executing against your strategic priorities and how that execution is driving value creation.
Practical Takeaway: Speak in terms of direction and momentum. Help investors see how today’s initiatives connect to tomorrow’s outcomes.
- Be Ready for Tough Questions—and Bridge Strategically
Even in a casual format, you should expect and prepare for challenging questions—on near-term headwinds, competitive threats, financial performance, or past missteps. Rather than going on the defensive or dodging the issue, use strategic bridging techniques to acknowledge the concern where appropriate and then guide the conversation toward information that reinforces your broader message.
Practical Takeaway: Prepare a short list of tough questions in advance and workshop your responses. Effective bridging keeps you credible and transparent while ensuring the conversation stays focused on your long-term value proposition.
- Deliver With Presence—and Keep It a Conversation
Yes, your key messages matter—but don’t lose the human element. Fireside chats (and any communication setting) are most effective when they feel authentic and thoughtful. It may seem counterintuitive but rehearse so thoroughly that your delivery sounds natural and like your true self. Make eye contact, use effective body language, and vary your tone to highlight key points. A confident, conversational delivery builds trust and credibility—especially when supported by strong content.
Practical Takeaway: Approach the moment as a strategic dialogue, not a pitch. That mindset helps you stay grounded, focused, and genuinely engaging.
The Bottom Line:
A fireside chat done well may look effortless—but behind the scenes, it’s the product of clear messaging, thoughtful preparation, and confident delivery. At Sharon Merrill Advisors, we partner with executives to elevate investor communications and build stronger, more credible connections with the investment community. If you’re preparing for an upcoming investor conference, we’d love to help you make the most of the moment.
