| During your presentation your audience will often | | | | of these rhetorical questions ready - just in case. |
| want to ask you questions. You must expect and | | | | 6. Admit That You Don't Know |
| encourage questions. This can be the tipping point | | | | If you don't know the answer say, "I don't know |
| in your presentation that moves them to think or | | | | the answer to that question but give me your |
| do what you are proposing. | | | | card and I will get back to you." Beware! You can |
| If this is so important to your success then you | | | | only do this once or twice. Any more and you will |
| need to be well prepared for the questions and | | | | look unprepared. |
| know how to handle the questions. It's not only | | | | 7. Your Audience Might Know |
| about knowing the answers. It's more important | | | | If you can't answer a question but know that |
| how you handle the questions with authority. | | | | someone in the audience might know, ask, "I |
| Use these ten tips to handle the questions more | | | | know there are experts in the audience, how |
| effectively during your next presentation. | | | | would they answer this question?" Only do this if |
| 1. State the Rules | | | | you know there are experts in your audience. |
| Tell your audience when you will take questions | | | | There are often people in your audience who are |
| and how individuals will be recognized to speak. | | | | eager to speak and demonstrate their knowledge. |
| Point out the microphones they should use. State | | | | Let them. |
| the rules that must be followed to ask questions. | | | | 8. Acknowledge the Dissenter |
| This might seem heavy handed but your audience | | | | When you encounter the person who strongly |
| wants to know the rules and it's up to you to | | | | disagrees with you and refuses to shut up, |
| make and state them. | | | | respond, "Thank you for your opinion, I know |
| 2. Prepare | | | | there are different schools of thought on this |
| List and practice answering all possible questions. | | | | issue - I am telling you what has worked for me." |
| Especially prepare yourself for the worst | | | | Don't argue. Validate the dissenter and move on. |
| questions. Imagine how confident you will look | | | | 9. Avoid Sincerity Traps |
| when someone asks you that killer question - the | | | | Avoid repeating, "Thank you that's a good |
| question that is intended to skewer you to the | | | | question." after every question - the questions |
| wall. Instead you smile and calmly respond with a | | | | might not be good, and the audience will see |
| positive answer. Be prepared. Craft and rehearse | | | | through your insincerity. |
| the answers to these difficult questions before | | | | 10. Don't End on a Question |
| the presentation. | | | | Don't end your presentation with the questions. |
| 3. Maintain Control | | | | You might have watched a speaker make this |
| Stay in control of the questioning periods. Formally | | | | mistake. The questions petered off. The last |
| recognize the questioner before they speak, and | | | | question is often a weak or negative question and |
| limit the number of questions. Allow only one | | | | then the presenter finishes with "No more |
| person to speak at a time. | | | | questions? I guess that's all." |
| 4. Include the Group | | | | Yuck, what a disgusting close. Instead always |
| When listening to the question look at the | | | | finish with a closing statement that will resonate |
| questioner while moving away from that person | | | | with the audience and reinforce your message. |
| so as to physically include the whole group in that | | | | End your presentation strong. |
| discussion. Paraphrase the question for the group. | | | | Bonus tip: Plant the question you most want to |
| State your answer to the group. Beware of | | | | hear. Before the program begins, ask someone |
| answering only to the questioner. | | | | sitting near the back to 'pose' the question on |
| 5. Ask Your Question First | | | | your signal. |
| Kick start the question period with, "A question I | | | | You will master the presentation questions if you |
| am often asked is, ...". Then answer your | | | | are prepared, know your facts and use these |
| 'question'. This helps to prime the pump and | | | | techniques. Content and style will determine the |
| encourages others to ask questions. Have a few | | | | success of your presentation. |