How you handle concerns from an audience can typically be thedeciding aspect as to how your discussion is received. Ifyou’re pitching for company, then it’s absolutely vital tohandle questions well.
1. Be gotten ready for questions – When you write yourpresentation, think about what you’re most likely to be asked andwhat your answer is going to be. Perhaps you will not want toanswer a specific concern there then, so believe aboutwhat you’ll state to please the questioner.
2. Make it clear at the start – You may choose to takequestions as you go or at the end of your discussion.
Whatever you decide, make it clear at the start and do n’tchange your mind. I would recommend concerns at the end in ashort discussion; if you take concerns as you go, thenyour timing will get knocked out.
And always remember, an audience won’t forgive you fortaking half an hour when you were only scheduled to speakfor fifteen minutes.
3. Never complete with questions – Far much better to ask forquestions 5 or ten minutes prior to the end, deal with thequestions and then summarise for a strong surface. Too manypresentations end up on concerns and the entire thing goes abit flat – particularly if you do not get any.
4. Listen – When asked a question, look and listen like yourlistening. It may be something you’ve heard a million timesbefore. Treat the questioner with regard and do n’ttrivialise their point.
5. Thank the questioner – It’s just polite, it reveals respectand it gives you a bit more time to consider your answer.
6. Repeat the essence of the question – Some individuals might nothave heard the question so your response may not make anysense to them. It can also be annoying for them not tohear the question. Again, it provides you more time to think ofthe response and it makes you look so creative and in control.
7. Answer to everybody – Don’t fall into the trap of onlyanswering the questioner. Then you might end up having a conversation with themand exclude everyone else, if they occur to be near thefront.
8. Keep it easy – Many speakers, when it comes toquestions, have actually become more unwinded and the fact thatsomeone is interested enough to inquire a question, leadsthem to go on too long with the answer – DON’T.
Do not bluff or bluster – If you do not know the response toa concern, state so and discover out. It can even be an excellent way to make more contactafter the presentation.
As we all know, it’s possible that you might not be asked anyquestions and you then have that uncomfortable silence.
People may be believing about what you’ve just stated and mayneed more time to ask. Why not have a concern ofyour own prepared and say something like.
Then go directly intoyour summary and closing statement, if you still stop working to get any concerns.
Managing a question and answer session well, demonstratesyour professionalism and reviews your message.
Be prepared for questions – When you write yourpresentation, think about exactly what you’re most likely to be asked andwhat your response is going to be. Never end up with concerns – Far better to ask forquestions 5 or 10 minutes prior to the end, deal with thequestions and then summarise for a strong finish. Too manypresentations complete on questions and the entire thing goes abit flat – particularly if you don’t get any.
Repeat the essence of the concern – Some people may nothave heard the concern so your answer may not make anysense to them. Don’t bluff or bluster – If you don’t know the answer toa concern, say so and find out.
