The Ten Ps of Dealing with Questions

Presenters and those making speeches will frequently be faced with having to answer questions. Sometimes these will be simple questions asked at the end of your talk and lasting only a minute or two. At other times you may be involved in lengthy panel discussions that take place after a series of presentations. In any situation, though, you will want to answer questions well. Here is a ten point plan for dealing with questions and answers when you speak. I call it the Ten Ps of Question Handling.

1. Prepare
To be sure you will answer all questions well, you need to prepare as fully as possible for any potential question and answer session. Lack of preparation for dealing with questions will make you nervous and this will come across when you answer questions.

2. Predict
Try and predict all the questions you might get asked. In preparing your talk get friends and colleagues to ask you questions. In this way you will be in a more comfortable position when you face your real audience.

3. Practice
In the same way that you would practice your presentation, you should also practice a question and answer session. Practice will alert you to any problem areas and will increase your confidence.

4. Probe
Find out about your audience and the kind of things that interest them. This will enable you to work out the likely questions they may ask.

5. Prevent
Ensure your presentation answers the likely questions in advance. In this way you will actually prevent questions from being asked as your audience will already have had their points answered.

6. Pause
When you get a question, repeat it back to confirm you have understood what you are being asked. This also gives you a bit of thinking time and ensures the rest of the audience knows what you will be answering as they may not have heard the original question.

7. Paraphrase
If a question is vague or unclear paraphrase the question and turn it into one that you want to be asked and then answer your chosen question.

8. Pass the buck
If you get a persistent questioner, check with the audience whether or not they are happy for you to answer the questions. Otherwise you will alienate them. Usually your audience wants you to shut the awkward individual up!

9. Pathway
Use techniques to get the question back to your chosen subject. Remember your presentation's key message and wherever possible use questions to help you repeat that. Always beat a pathway back to your subject.

10. Part company
If in doubt, take questions 'off line' by agreeing to see the questioner at the next break. That way you get a chance to think.

Graham Jones runs The Presentation Business at http://www.presentationbiz.com which helps people become great public speakers.

---

15 Ways for Speakers to Earn More Profits

There is huge potential to create additional profits from your... Read More

For Speaking Ease, Forgive Your Younger Self

I love the Disney movie The Kid with Bruce Willis.... Read More

Getting on the Speakers List

How do you get your name on a speakers list?Speaking... Read More

Is Information Delivery Instruction?

Do you work for one of those organisations whose "training"... Read More

The Ten Ps of Dealing with Questions

Presenters and those making speeches will frequently be faced with... Read More

Speak With E?s Part 2

"Educate, Energize, Entertain, and provide an experience for your audience"1.... Read More

What is Toastmasters?

Toastmasters.... Toastmasters....What is Toastmasters?Is it a bunch of guys in... Read More

Opening Your Speech

Imagine yourself at mission control; 10, 9, 8, 7, 6,... Read More

12 Ways to be a Confident Public Speaker

Speak from your heart. If you believe in what you... Read More

Speech Presenting - Seven Ways to Tailor Your Speech to the Audience

Every speech has an audience and every audience is different.... Read More

Moving Key Audiences to Take Action?

You know, those really important outside groups of people whose... Read More

What is YOUR Speaking Expertise?

Why do you have to be an expert when getting... Read More

How to Give a Speech Without Dying

Two of the top fears of most people are dying... Read More

How to be a Great Speaker

Did you know that great speakers are often nervous with... Read More

Talk May Be Cheap but Your Speech Should Be Priceless!

Take a moment and imagine if you will any one... Read More

Internet Marketing and Public Speaking: Seven Steps to a Successful Murder Board

I recently posted an article providing tips on public speaking... Read More

The Ps and Qs of Public Speaking

Avoid the painWhich would you prefer - root canal dental... Read More

To Insure Success in Speaking: Anticipate

We all know that to be a careful driver on... Read More

How To Get Paid Every Time You Speak - REALLY!

For many, speaking or training is a full time business.... Read More

The Top Four Ways To Get Audience Involvement In A Presentation

In the thousands of speeches I've heard very few presenters... Read More

Foreign Translations of Your Talk - How Do You Ensure Your Message is Delivered Properly?

There are a number of possibilities as to how this... Read More

Pay Attention To Your Appearance!

During the coffee break of one conference I attended, whispers... Read More

Lessons in Love for the Shy at Heart

One of the biggest regrets of my life is that... Read More

Poised for Success: How Developing Self-Awareness Can Improve Your Presentations

There are a number of factors that determine how your... Read More

Tips For Keeping Your Cool Before Your Presentation

Stretch to relax. Rise on your toes and reach for... Read More

Top 7 Steps to Better Public Speaking

Whether you want to be a part time, full time... Read More

Boost Your Confidence, Credibility, and Career

There's one skill you can develop that will boost your... Read More

For Speakers: Ten Tips on How to Increase Your Fees

One of the most important tools speakers use is their... Read More

What Makes A Great Presenter?

Every day millions of people around the world make a... Read More

Get Speaking

On a recent Sunday evening, I watched a friend 'graduate'... Read More

Speak Up or Sit Down

Last night the phone rang; my wife said, "I hope... Read More

A Powerful Vocabulary Will Transform Your Life

Studies show that your word-power determines your earning power, that... Read More

You Too Can Be A Public Speaker

Have you ever watched a speaker and said, "Wow, I... Read More