Handling questions in your presentation can be a scary time for professional
speakers. The fear that someone will ask a question that they can't answer makes
this section one of the most dreaded sections of the speech.
This fear is so real that presenters will often cut this area short or avoid it all
together to get past this section. Here are some tips that will help you to handle
this section effectively.
1. Be a great listener. After spending the entire time talking, now is your chance
to respond and interact with your audience. Listen to your audience's questions
completely before starting to answer. If you don't, you may respond inappropriately
not answering what the person was really asking.
2. Give yourself time to think. Listen to the entire question. Repeat the question
to give you some time to respond. You can also add filler phrases like "that's a
good question", "that's a popular question" or "that's an interesting question".
3. Acknowledge your audience member for asking the question. People appreciate
acknowledgment and starts to create a personal bond between you and the audience.
They start to feel appreciated for participation in your presentation and they warm
up to your speech 4. Answer the question. Stay on track and be honest. If you do not
know the answer at the time, let them you that you will find out and get back to
them. This is an especially great opportunity if your goal is to develop a long term
relationship with your audience. Just remember to get back to them as you say you
would.
5. Create clean transitions between questions by creating "bridges" to the next
question. Ask your audience another question such as "Does that answer your
question?" Stay on the question until it has been answered appropriately.
Here are some tips to interact better with your audience during the question and
answer period.
1. Ask your audience member to stand when they have a question. One of the primary
reasons for doing this is to help the rest of the room hear the question more
clearly as well. Additionally, you are also able to establish a line of sight eye
connection with the person asking the question.
2. Ask your audience to write their questions down on paper. They can either submit
this to you or read from their paper at a designated time.
3. If your audience member is shy and does not want to ask their question, create
alternative times that you will be available. You're goal is to help them understand
the points you are trying to make.
4. Have a paper and pencil for yourself to write down questions that you can't
answer. Jot the question down as well as contact information of the person asking
the question so you can get back to them.
The question and answer period is a great time to interact with your audience. Many
people and instructors like will also say that they learn from this time more than
any other section in the presentation. You will also be able to see what exactly
your audience has picked up during your presentation. Don't avoid this section any
longer!
Source : media-training.info
