QuickBites: How to Go from Lackluster to Powerful Q & A Sessions.

Welcome to Public Speaking with Peter George. Do you want to be calm, confident, and credible every time you speak in public? Then stay tuned as we discuss public speaking tips, techniques, and tactics that help you increase your impact, influence, and income.

Q&A as a Strategic Opportunity

Many speakers give little thought to Q&A sessions — and that's unfortunate. What's often looked at as an inconsequential way to end a presentation could actually be viewed as a significant opportunity to clarify ideas and deepen your connection with your audience. In this Quick Bytes episode, you'll learn several tips to make your Q&A sessions much more productive — and your presentations that include them far more compelling.

Where Q&A Belongs in Your Presentation

The first tip — and perhaps the most eye-opening — is to not leave Q&A until the end of your presentation. I know. That's where nearly everyone puts it. But there's a better place.

You know that the ending is the most critical part of your presentation. You could develop a fantastic conclusion — but if it's not the last thing your audience hears, it won't be as effective as it could be. So where does Q&A go? Slide it in between your last talking point and your conclusion.

Think about it — what better time to ask for questions than directly after you've shared your information? And you always want your conclusion to be powerful and on your terms. Because you're never sure how a Q&A session will go, ending with Q&A is risky. By placing it just before your conclusion, you ensure you end exactly as you planned.

How to Transition Into Q&A

The second tip is to transition into Q&A with intention. Say something like: "Let's take the next ten minutes for your questions. Based on what you just heard, what questions do you have?" The first part tells your audience how long the Q&A will be. The second part reminds them that questions should connect to what you just shared.

And notice what you're not saying: "Does anybody have any questions?" You just shared a great deal of information. Someone has a question. Say it that way.

Tips for Answering Questions Well

After a question is asked, pause before answering. This gives the rest of the audience time to process the question, and gives you a moment to formulate your response.

If you're going to acknowledge a question — "that's a great question," "I'm so glad you asked that," "no one has ever asked me that before" — do it for every question, varying the words. Your goal is for everyone to feel their question was worthwhile.

And just as you paused after a question was asked, pause between your answer and asking for the next one. This gives your listeners time to absorb what they heard. When time is up or there are no more questions, transition directly into your conclusion and end powerfully.

One final suggestion: if someone is hosting the event, let them know in advance that you'll speak briefly once the Q&A has ended. Most hosts assume Q&A is the conclusion. If you don't tell them otherwise, they may start speaking before you can deliver it.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Public Speaking with Peter George. Are you ready to be calm, confident, and credible every time you speak in public? Then visit petergeorgepublicspeaking.com and let's make it happen. I'll see you next time.