Handling Questions with
Authority
At some point in your presentation you will be expected to answer questions from your audience.
They might have some burning questions that need to be answered before they buy into your message.
Handling their questions with authority can make the difference for you between a successful
presentation and a waste of time. This is the opportunity for the audience to test your knowledge
on the topic and commitment to your message.
1. Explain at which points during the presentation you will take questions and how
individuals will be recognized to speak. Point out the microphones they should use. State the rules
that must be followed to ask questions.
2. Prepare how you will answer questions - especially the worst questions. Imagine how
confident you will look when they hit you with the killer question - the question that is intended
to skewer you to the wall. Instead you smile and calmly respond with a positive answer. Craft and
rehearse the answers to these difficult questions before the presentation.
3. Maintain control of the questioning. Formally recognize the questioner before they speak
and limit the number of questions. Allow only one person to speak at a time.
4. When listening to the question look at the questioner while moving away to include the whole
group. Paraphrase the question for the group. State your answer to the group. Beware of
answering only to the questioner.
5. Kick start the question period with, with, "A question I am often asked is, …".Then
answer your 'question'. This helps to prime the pump and encourages others to ask questions.
6. If you don't know the answer offer, "I don't know the answer to that question but give me
your card and I will get back to you." Beware! You can only do this once or twice. Anymore and you
will look dumb.
7. If you can't answer a question but know that someone in the audience may know ask, "I know
there are experts in the audience, how would they answer this question?" Only do this if you
know there are experts in your audience.
8. When you get the person who strongly disagrees with you and refuses to shut up, respond,
"Thank you for your opinion, I know there are different schools of thought on this issue - I am
telling you what has worked for me."
9. Avoid repeating, "Thank you that's a good question." after every question - the questions
might not be good, and the audience will see through your insincerity.
10. Never end your presentation with a question period and closing with 'no more questions? Well
that's all'. That is a weak close. Instead always finish with a closing statement that will
resonate with the audience and reinforce your message.
Bonus tip: Plant the question you most want to hear. Before
the program begins, ask someone sitting near the back to 'pose' the question on your
signal.
Any questions? Contact George Torok, The Public Speaking Pro, to deliver more powerful
presentations and handle questions with authority.
Handle Questions with Authority
© George Torok is The Public
Speaking Pro.
As a
professional speaker he has delivered over 1,000 presentations. He coaches executives to deliver
million dollar presentations and has trained hundreds of managers, sales reps and professionals
to deliver more effective presentations.
Yet George
Torok was a shy high school student who refused to speak to an audience. Since then he learned
and developed the public speaking skills of a professional speaker.
Contact him
to arrange presentation skills training for your business associates or speech coaching for your
executives.
Call
905-335-1997
www.Public-Speaking-Pro.biz
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