The Value of Question and Answer in Presentations

By Jon, on December 14th, 2009
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

Question-Keys I was watching another one of Gary Vaynerchuck's keynotes this evening.  This one at LeWeb conference in Paris.  I'm a big fan of Gary's and had a chance to meet him [pic] at a recent book signing for his book, Crush It. 

Towards the end of this particular keynote he refers to the event as a "conference" but is quickly corrected by host (and LeWeb Founder) Loic Le Meur, who refers to it as a "community."  Gary's reaction is priceless:

"If it's a [expletive deleted] community, then why are we not doing Q&A?  I refuse to come back here next year unless my entire presentation is Q&A!"

Not only do I think Gary makes a great point (if you claim to be a "community" then you have to act like one), I think his point is applicable to presentations.  I've often said that great presentation are a conversation (where I coincidentally also talk about a GV keynote).  The essence of a conversation is a two-way street of communication.  Give and take.  Embracing Q&A is a great way to create an avenue of conversation.   

Question and Answer is a pivotal aspect of your presentation in order to help create the two-way flow of communication, knowledge, and ideas.  Not only that, but allowing your audience to contribute shows that you appreciate them and want to have a direct connection with them. 

Unfortunately, some presenters avoid Q&A or leave little time for it because it can be a scary proposition.  What if someone asks me a question I don't have an answer to?  What if someone questions my theories, methods, or ideas?  What if I look bad?  Will people think I'm a fraud?

There are many posts about how to handle the fears of Q&A, like this one and this one, both from fellow blogger and presentation expert Olivia Mitchell.  Regardless of the difficulty, allowing your audience to engage you, as a presenter, with questions/comments/ideas will help keep your audience engaged, resulting in a more memorable (and enjoyable) presentation.  Not only that, but with each question you answer, the more confident and comfortable you are the next time you're in that same situation.

Simply remember that your audience is there to not only learn but to be appreciated.  They're taking time out of their day (and often money out of their pocket) to listen to what you have to say.  They want to get their time/money's worth.  That means it's your responsibility as a presenter to ensure that they don't walk out that door with lingering questions they felt were ignored or avoided.  

Also, I realize that presentations and audiences come in all shapes and sizes.  Sometimes Q&A isn't appropriate or is actually not allowed.  If that's the case, make sure that you show your appreciation for your audience by giving them a way to contact you if they have any further questions, comments, or ideas to share.  Not only that, but make sure you answer EVERY email.  As Gary says, "it's all about caring."

What questions can I answer for you?  Do you have any interesting Q&A experiences?  

Photo Credit: Oberazzi

Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email
Comments
«  
  »