Cold Opening a Panel Speaker After the Talk

The thirty seconds right after a panel speaker steps off stage are worth more than any line you could stand in later. Larry Chiang’s move is to already know what you’re going to say before the panel even ends, so you’re walking, not thinking. PQRST does the heavy lifting beforehand: preview the speaker’s background and read whatever they’ve written recently before picking your opener.

Reference something specific they said on stage, ideally before other people start doing the same thing. Speakers hear compliments about the talk constantly and remember almost none of them, but they remember whoever pushed back on a specific point. SuperModel posture matters more here than almost anywhere else, with a notebook out, no phone, and the same calm energy you’d use in a normal conversation.

Keep it to one clear ask, since Larry’s rule is to attack the money, not collect a follow. If a small crowd starts forming behind you, that’s your cue to wrap up and step aside instead of holding the spot.

A short, specific exchange beats a long, vague one every time, especially with someone who has fifteen more people waiting. Follow up the same day while the talk is still fresh, referencing the exact thing you discussed.

Karma matters immediately after too, since a speaker remembers who respected their time as much as who impressed them. Larry breaks down this exact cold open, panel to hallway, in the videos he’s put up on Web12.