June 22, 2015

Handling questions

Fellow speaker,

According to Speaker Rich Hopkins, you handle your questions by:
  • Avoiding the weird - if a question is very strange and/or completely off-topic, answer it at a different time (e.g., after the session or by email) - then ask if anyone else has an on-topic question
  • Stopping the droners - if someone is going on and on with their question without coming to the point, cut them off and restate what you think their question is or offer to answer the question at a different time
  • Being humble - use self-deprecating humor to avoid questions that make your audience uncomfortable
  • Saying "I don't know" - if you don't know the answer, say so and promise to get the person the answer they request at a different time
Handling it,

Tim Wilson
Professional Speech Coach
Free speaking tips at: http://speakingquicktips.blogspot.com