Questions are usually a sign that your audience is interested in what you have to say. When you handle questions well, it shows you know your content, respect the questioner and are interested in engaging your audience.
Whether your presentation is virtual or in person, you must prepare for the Q&A segment with the same focus and intensity that you use to prepare the presentation itself.
- Decide when you will handle the questions (in the middle or near the end of your presentation, never at the end itself).
- Decide how you will take questions (raised hand,
submitted ahead of time on index cards, via social media, etc.).
- List out frequently-asked questions (FAQs) based on
your knowledge of the topic and your previous experience. You can also ask someone to listen to your
practice presentation and come up with questions.
- Add to the list difficult questions you would hate
to have to answer.
- Prepare a response to each question on your list. Write it out or outline it or practice saying it out loud (not to memorize it, but to get comfortable with the general answer, no matter how you say it)
1.
Those you don’t
have the answer to.
There may be questions you
didn’t anticipate so you need a stock response like, “That’s a good
question. In order to answer it fully,
I’d need to consider it more carefully and get back to you,” (don’t say this
unless you intend to). Or you can simply
respond, “I don’t have the answer right now, but it is certainly something I
have to consider.”
Otherwise in these
situations, you may say, “um, ah…” and undermine your credibility and
confidence.
2.
Those you don’t
want to answer.
There are times when you
know the answer, but can’t share it with the audience. For example, the pricing that will not be
revealed until the product is released, or the name of a new strategic partner
that is confidential until the final contract is signed. For these situations, prepare a response that
acknowledges the question and lets them know when the information will be
available in the future.
Otherwise, in these
situations, you will sound evasive and insincere.
Preparing for questions thoroughly will give you confidence, show your respect for the audience and demonstrate your knowledge of the topic.
(C) Gilda Bonanno LLC