How to handle questions from the audience

The question and answer phase that takes place in many speaking styles is one of the most complex for the speaker to deal with. When we prepare a speech, we have time to research, correct and adapt our message before delivering it.

Likewise, it is possible to consult other specialists or to approach external sources that contribute to argue our message in a better way. This is not the case with the audience's questions, since they must be answered on the spot, using only our own knowledge.

Facing the audience's questions without a good preparation can be very detrimental to our image and to the degree of credibility of the speech. Having said this, we will dedicate this session to offer you a series of recommendations, so that you can handle your audience's questions in a simpler way.

How to anticipate possible questions?

The biggest problem when facing a round of questions is not being able to know in advance each of the questions in order to be able to address them with more elements. While it is true that in some speech or interview formats, the speaker already knows in advance what he/she will be asked, there are other scenarios where the audience itself formulates questions that arise during the presentation. These questions are the ones that can cause our presentation to be tarnished, as we are not able to deal with them in the way our audience expects.

The first recommendation to prevent the facts expressed above from affecting us is to try to anticipate as many questions as possible in our speech. When we have finished writing the speech, we should reread it several times trying to approach it from the audience's perspective. Identify points that may generate confusion or controversy and ask questions about them. Whenever you find elements in your speech that you think might motivate the audience to ask you questions about them, try to anticipate these questions by asking them yourself and answering them at home.

Obviously, many more questions may arise during your presentation that you have not anticipated in advance. However, this will help you reduce the risk of encountering questions that you don't know the answers to.

What to do when you don't know the answer to a question?

Many speakers are terrified at the thought of not knowing the answer to a question and end up inventing an answer, even though they know it is incorrect.

When you are asked a question for which you have not adequately prepared, it is better to accept your lack of knowledge or to express a more general judgment about the possible answer. It is unethical to mislead your audience in order to save your image.

What to do when faced with questions that are not related to our speech?

Another situation that can arise when you start a round of questions is that the audience asks you questions that are not related to the topic you have addressed. This usually happens due to two factors:

The first is that the question is tricky, that is, it has a background intention that is not healthy or that wants to provoke a reaction in you.The second and more natural factor is that the question has been asked out of ignorance.

In both cases your behavior should be the same. You are free to answer only if you wish, arguing the lack of relation to the subject. Do not be afraid of being rude: if you express yourself politely, the rest of the audience will understand the reasons why you have decided not to answer.