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Young children are some of the most relentless interrogators you will come across. One question leads to another to another and another, until, after intense mental fatigue has set in, you simply utter, “Because.” As a public speaker, you don’t have that option during your presentation’s question and answer session. Nor should you need it. Effective public speakers put as much attention into how to manage their audience Q&A as they do their presentation. The planning begins with a fundamental question of your own: Are you going to conduct an audience Q&A? Manage Your Audience Q&AOf course, you don’t have to take any questions. As we share with our public speaking training clients, not every presentation calls for one, such as a large keynote address. And, an audience Q&A does introduce unpredictability, which can be an unnerving situation for a speaker who has navigated deftly through the preceding presentation. Still, the audience Q&A session can provide some of the more memorable and energetic moments of your presentation. If you manage your audience Q&A deftly and with care, you potentially gain valuable information:
The way to manage your audience Q&A is a simple one, really. You must prepare. What follows are some ways to take questions during your presentations – the when and how. We finish up with tips on how best to respond to them. Any questions? When to Take QuestionsA large part of your success in how you manage your audience Q&A is in keeping the audience informed about when you address their questions. Make sure you broadcast your approach early in your presentation. Here are a few ways to seek out those queries:
How to Conduct the Q&AAfter you have established when you are taking questions, the second part of how to manage your audience Q&A is to let your audience know how they should ask them. You can ask for:
You Have The AnswersThe way you manage your audience Q&A involves preparation. One way to make the process less nerve-wracking is to make a list of questions that are likely to be asked. As you think through the answers, find the ways that let you respond while reiterating your message, or main point, of your speech. Of course, you can’t plan for everything. This is particularly true when those questions start coming. You don’t have to perfect, however. You just need a plan. Here are some tips on how to better manage your role in the exchange: Draw out Your AudienceBlank stares are better than eyes that are closed, but there’s not much that’s good about either scenario when it comes to your presentation. Say you have asked for questions and none are coming. The audience may just need a climate that encourages interaction. Here’s an example: Say you have just wrapped up talking to a bunch of teenagers about a new afterschool program that focuses on job skills. You have just asked whether anyone has questions about it. Silence. Here are a couple of things you can do to get the questions rolling:
Strive to ListenThis is more than simply hearing what your audience has to say. An active listener offers undivided attention to better understand what is being said. The results of a recent study suggest that good listening is consistently seen as a two-way dialog. The best responses, in other words, take into consideration what the other person has said. As you listen, try to identify the questioner’s main point. If you begin to formulate your answer too quickly, you might not pick up on a larger issue. Take Time to UnderstandYou may encounter a questioner who is difficult to understand or one who asks a vague question. Here are three easy tips to get you back on track:
Answer with IntentionThe questions you field can be straightforward, challenging, and confounding. Your answers will vary, but there are some constants that should be employed. You should:
Nonverbal cuesIn addition to your spoken message, the audience will pay attention to your body language. Here are some tips on effective body language:
Stay PositiveIt turns out that we are more likely to react and react quickly to negative stimuli, according to neurophysiologist Rick Hanson. Such a natural tendency can set up a difficult cycle. If you react negatively to a negative comment, then the audience might see your negative response and react negatively toward you. Too many negatives! Here’s an example of how to keep things positive: Say you are a sales manager and you are talking to a team of employees about a new commission structure. They are concerned it will affect how much they are able to earn on each sale. So, a team member says, “Why did we have to change the structure? It seemed to be working just fine and providing the incentives we needed.”
Avoid a Debate
Wrapping it upThe way you prepare for and manage your audience Q&A can have a lasting and meaningful effect on your overall presentation. You gain a better understanding of your audience’s concerns and needs. And, the way you address and connect with your audience adds to the picture of how they see you as a presenter. When you answer challenging (and not-so-challenging) questions with poise and confidence, it sends a message to your audience that you are capable, caring, and competent. That message helps your message resonate with the people who matter most.
How do listeners typically respond when a speaker uses stories as part of a business presentation?It helps audience members better remember the presented information. How do listeners typically respond when a speaker uses stories as part of a business presentation? They pay more attention. They gain more knowledge.
How will you ensure you are coming across as authentic during a presentation?Key points to remember:
Authenticity can't be rehearsed. Rehearse the material, practice speaking, and make yourself comfortable with the content, but don't try to rehearse authenticity. Just be yourself on stage – use words you'd actually say, and speak conversationally. Be willing to be vulnerable.
What are thing that good speakers will do when involving the audience in their presentations?Engage the audience — get them interested, give them a reason to listen.. Describe a scene or a character.. Tell a story.. Share a personal experience.. Relate to a recent event.. Piggyback on a previous speaker's remark or theme.. Point out something important about the audience or the current setting.. What result can a speaker anticipate by mingling with audience members after a business presentation?What result can a speaker anticipate by mingling with audience members after a business presentation? It is beneficial for a speaker to take questions at a business presentation for which of the following reasons? The speaker will have a better chance to explain parts of the message.
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