| |
| |
|
Public Speaking Information |
|
|
|
How to Answer Questions Your Audience Will Ask
In elementary school, most of us asked questions which were for purely informational purposes. A raise of the hand usually got the attention of the teacher and the question was treated matter-of-factly. In training however, questions from the audience are rarely asked and when they are, they don't get the attention they deserve. However, these questions, along with other indicators, can give a trainer an abundance of information to analyze their audience. It is crucial that trainers take these questions and other indicators seriously to avoid having their presentations become one-sided. In training, audiences don't just ask questions because they want information. In fact, simply needing information actually represent a small percentage of the motives behind audience questions. For example, an audience member is likely to ask a question because they may want to lead you and the discussion in a different direction. Someone might use a question to tell you something that they know. A trainee also might ask a question simply out of need for attention. An audience's four basic reasons for asking questions are: to get feedback, to stimulate discussion, to provoke thought, and to maintain interest. Mishandling questions can destroy an effective talk. Always prepare for questions by knowing both your topic and the audience, and anticipate areas for potential questions. When answering questions be concerned with the whole group. Never let one person dominate; repeat or rephrase questions for the entire group. If you do not know an answer, admit it, but do try to find the answer or advise the person who asked the question where the answer might be found. An excellent technique for involving the group is encouraging others in the group to respond to questions. Trainers are often asked questions when they haven't asked the audience for them. This often catches trainers off guard, but may alert them to an area unintentionally left out of the presentation, or alert them to a new area of audience interest. Such an unsolicited question can throw a trainer off balance, but there are methods for handling it. First of all, prepare completely in advance. Survey possible questions which might arise and come equipped with the answers. When a question is asked, listen carefully and think while it is being asked. Repeat the question to be sure that all have heard it. Pause before answering in order to concentrate. Try to draw the questioner out further if necessary. Although the best answer to a question may be another question, make sure that you never argue with an audience member. Finally, after answering the question, return as soon as possible to your main thought sequence. Copyright AE Schwartz & Associates All rights reserved. For additional presentation materials and resources: ReadySetPresent and for a Free listing as a Trainer, Consultant, Speaker, Vendor/Organization: TrainingConsortium CEO, A.E. Schwartz & Associates, Boston, MA., a comprehensive organization which offers over 40 skills based management training programs. Mr. Schwartz conducts over 150 programs annually for clients in industry, research, technology, government, Fortune 100/500 companies, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. He is often found at conferences as a key note presenter and/or facilitator. His style is fast-paced, participatory, practical, and humorous. He has authored over 65 books and products, and taught/lectured at over a dozen colleges and universities throughout the United States.
MORE RESOURCES:
Public-Speaking - Google News |
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Speaker Partnership Offers Trade Show Value Want to gain added exposure at a trade show? Consider sponsoring a professional speaker at the attendees meeting. But don't just settle for a banner on the stage with your company name. Fear! I am terrified of heights. The thought of skydiving, for example makes my stomach do somersaults. Speaking for FUN and PROFIT How do you gain contacts from a speaking engagement?The name of the game in providing speaking engagements is to gain more contacts to add to your list of potential clients. Speaking is only one way of attracting business. Know Your Audience What is worse than wearing a tuxedo to an event when everyone else is attending in shorts?I have said the same thing over and over again: before you attend the event, get to know the audience. If the audience is not right for you, you may attend, but it is unlikely that you will gain any new business. Five Tips for Overcoming Public Speaking Nerves Your mouth is dry, heart palpitating, and knees knocking. You go into panic, facing a dreaded public speaking assignment. Be Brief! Centuries ago great speakers often spoke two hours and more. But today when sound bytes on television news are the norm and serious problems are solved in an hour on a television drama, audiences are most interested in speakers that get their points across in a short period of time. The Ten Habits of Highly Effective Speakers Successful speakers do not do all the right things all the time. They often take risks and risk bombing. Tips For Keeping Your Cool Before Your Presentation Stretch to relax. Rise on your toes and reach for the ceiling, with your head back. Public Speaking:10 Simple Steps to Confident Speaking 1.Preparation The most important step in public speaking is preparation. Lessons in Love for the Shy at Heart One of the biggest regrets of my life is that I was cursed with the shyness gene. Shyness is an often misunderstood condition that can leave the afflicted alone and miserable. Boost Your Confidence, Credibility, and Career There's one skill you can develop that will boost your confidence, credibility and career. It's public speaking. What is YOUR Speaking Expertise? Why do you have to be an expert when getting speaking engagements?The first thing you need to do before engaging into a speaking career is to define what you are an expert in. I have seen so many speakers that get relegated into the mediocre list just because they say they can talk on anything and "what would you like to hear?" Although I am not advocating sticking with one topic, I am advocating that you are an expert in a field that you choose. How to Build Respect with Your Audience: Positive Thinking and Outhouse Eyes Do you believe in natural laws? Laws like:? What goes up, must come down? What you sow, you reap? When you look down outhouse holes, you get green eyes (I know this one works - I've got green eyes)Thoughts create reality is another natural law. Positive thoughts create positive results, and negative thoughts create negative results. Analyzing Your Audience and Assessing Comprehension Through Feedback Aside from fielding and asking questions, there are other ways of analyzing audience attention and feedback. Unfortunately most trainers are unaware of these methods or feel audience analysis is not really all that effective or important. A Perfect Meeting: AKA When You Dont Want to Strangle the Speaker Have you ever worked for weeks or even months, often far beyond normal office hours on a special meeting event only to have it turn into THE PERFECT STORM. Well, maybe your entire crew didn't perish at sea, but there were those clearly identifiable moments when it looked as if the ship was about to capsize. Getting Results from Your Writing & Speaking When we communicate, we usually want something to happen. We want results. How To Make A Blue Ribbon Presentation Every Time You can make a Blue Ribbon presentation each and every time if you follow these 14 rules.1. Public Speaking Tips: Lessons From Former US President Ronald Reagan If you want public speaking tips, what are the ten insights you can learn from former US President Ronald Reagan who was known as 'The Great Communicator'.The news of the death of former US President Ronald Reagan at 93 in June 2004, has again focussed the world's attention on both his achievements and great communication skills. 10 Tips for Better -- and Less Scary! -- Public Speaking The fear of speaking in public is well-documented, often discussed, and probably overrated. The great news is that speaking in front of a group can be an entertaining and energizing experience for even the most fearsome among us. Pay Attention To Your Appearance! During the coffee break of one conference I attended, whispers and giggles could be heard within the conversations of small huddles of delegates. Without asking, I knew what they were all talking about because our little group were talking about the same thing.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2007 |
