Set up the question period for success
When you plan to answer questions from your audience, here’s how to create a more effective Q&A period.
Use the opportunity to answer questions from the audience because that helps your reinforce key points and provides insights into the mins of your audience.
The two most damaging mistakes are in how to start the question period and how to end. In this tip, you’ll discover how to start.
The biggest mistake is to answer questions after the presentation. That positions the question and answer as distinct from the presentation. Your presentation was about you and your smoke and mirrors and in the question periods that’s when you are really talking to us and addressing our concerns.
I encourage you to incorporate the questions into the presentation. That makes the presentation feel more inclusive and more about the audience instead of simply your message.
Early in your presentation, tell the audience when and how you will address their questions. Can they interrupt you anytime? Will you pause after each segment to take questions? Or would you prefer to take near the end? Note near the end not at the end.
If you plan to answer questions near the end, here’s how you announce the question period.
We have time for x minutes of questions and then I will close. Note Then I will close.
Let them know that you will close after the questions. That way you finish with you intended message and not the answer to a weak question.
Prepare people for the question period by announcing. “In two minutes. I’m going to invite your questions.”
Don’t start with “Does anybody have any questions?” That question is both vague and annoying. It doesn’t invite questions. Instead, it suggests uncertainty.
Invite questions with, “Who has a question about (my topic)?” That is clear, inviting and steers the questions on course.
Don’t claim that you will answer all their questions – because you can’t.
What can you do if you invite questions and there is silence? That might mean that they are still thinking about your message.
You can stimulate their questions by starting with one of your own.
“A question I am often asked is…(you state the question).” Then you answer the question. That provides momentum to more questions from the audience.
Set up the question-and-answer session by making it part of the presentation and kick it off with clear direction.
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