Taking Control Of Questions And Answers For Professional Presentation

Answer To Questions While Presentation

Sharjeel Anees
3 min readNov 6, 2021

For professional presenters, answering questions during a presentation can be a nerve-wracking experience.

The fear of being asked a question they don’t know the answer to makes this phase of the speech one of the most dreaded.

This dread is so strong that speakers will frequently cut this segment short or skip it entirely in order to get through it.

Here are some pointers to help you navigate this section successfully.

1. Listen attentively.

Now is your chance to answer and communicate with your audience after spending the entire time talking. Before you begin to respond, really listen to your audience's inquiries. If you don't, you risk responding inappropriately and not answering the person's true question.

2. Allow yourself time to reflect.

Please pay attention to the entire question. To give you more time to react, repeat the question. Filler phrases like "that's an excellent question," "that's a popular question," and "that's a fascinating topic" can also be used.

3. Thank the person who asked the question in your audience.

People love it when they are acknowledged, and it begins to form a personal link between you and your audience. They begin to admire your presentation and warm up to your speech as a result of their engagement.

4. Provide an answer to the question.

Keep on track and be truthful. If you don't know the answer right now, tell them you'll look into it and get back to them. If you want to build a long-term relationship with your audience, this is a fantastic opportunity. Just ensure to contact them as soon as you say you will.

5. Use "bridges" to the following topic to create smooth transitions between questions.

"Does it address your question?" you can say to your audience. Maintain your focus on the question until it has been satisfactorily answered.

Here are some pointers on how to communicate with your audience more effectively during the question and answer session.

1. When a member of the audience has a question, ask them to stand. One of the main reasons for doing so is to make it easier for the rest of the room to hear the inquiry.

You can also establish a line of sight eye connection with the individual who has asked the inquiry.

2. Have your audience jot down their questions on a piece of paper. They have the option of submitting this to you or reading from their paper at a set time.

3. If a member of your audience is bashful and refuses to ask their inquiry, schedule alternate times when you will be available. Your goal is to make sure they grasp what you're attempting to say.

4. Have a piece of paper and a pencil on hand to jot down any queries you can't answer. Make a note of the question as well as the contact information for the person who asked it so you can respond.

The question and answer session is an excellent opportunity to engage your audience.

Many people and teachers will also comment that this segment of the presentation teaches them more than any other.

You’ll also be able to see exactly what your audience took away from your presentation. Now is not the time to avoid this part!

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Sharjeel Anees

Content Writing | Copywriting | Civil Engineering : Aspire To Inspire Before We Expire!