Whether you add a short Question and Answer session at the end of your presentation, or you plan to offer a full session of audience questions, running a great Q&A session isn’t as easy as simply saying, “Okay, who’s got questions?”
Run well, and your Q&A session can be a fun and informative way to educate your audience while keeping your attendees engaged. Run poorly and it seems like an afterthought, a big WOMP WOMP. Check out our best tips for running an effective Q&A session for your next presentation.
8 Tips for Running a Great Q&A Session
We’ve watched seasoned speakers for years and have learned these tips from the best:
- Set parameters up from the beginning and let your audience know how to ask the question (“Step up to the microphone/form a line behind it/wait for our volunteer with the microphone to come to you,” how many questions they can ask, what types of questions will be answered, etc.)
- Always repeat the question in case someone didn’t hear it, particularly if there is no microphone available. (“The question is ‘Can I hack my crape myrtle in March?’ and the answer is no! Hacking is never a good idea at any time of year.”)
- Offer to meet with someone after the Q&A to discuss something different or more in-depth. This is a great strategy for people who ask off-topic questions or when the answer is simply too involved to answer briefly.
- Be friendly and enthusiastic aka “That’s a great question!” “Thank you for asking that,” and “You get the award for best/most obscure/most interesting question!” Never make anyone feel stupid or foolish for asking any question, however basic. Everyone starts somewhere, and it takes a lot of gumption to speak up in a larger crowd.
- Be friendly and enthusiastic aka “That’s a great question!” “Thank you for asking that,” and “You get the award for best/most obscure/most interesting question!” Never make anyone feel stupid or foolish for asking any question, however basic. Everyone starts somewhere, and it takes a lot of gumption to speak up in a larger crowd.
- Consider asking people you know to be ready with prepared questions in case there’s a lull in the conversation. That’s a total buzz kill when you ask the audience, “Okay, who’s got questions?” and there is silence afterwards. This is called “priming the pump,” and we know many speakers who use this tactic.
- Similarly, start out by asking a question to get the ball rolling. “I’ll let you all think for a moment, but one of the most frequently asked questions I get is…”. This way, you’re setting the stage for the pace to follow. Use this one any time there’s a lull during the Q&A.
- Answer questions as briefly but completely as possible—timing is everything. Give substance to your answer but avoid talking for 15 minutes on one question. That is a sure-fire way to get the rest of your audience disengaged, bored, and tuning out. Aim for 5 minutes or less, but certainly under 10 minutes.
Your goal with a Q&A is to educate, keep the energy up, and to interact with your audience members so they get the most out of your time together. But if you want to offer a twist on the classic Q&A, consider The Hotseat below.
The Hotseat
Ahhh, we love The Hotseat! Instead of quick question and answers, dive in deeper with an audience member so you go 1:1 on a specific problem they have. It’s like a mini crash course, and audiences love this.
- It’s great for both live and virtual presentations.
- It works well with longer workshops or seminars.
- It’s a “value added” feature that audiences love.
- Do a combination of Q&A followed by one Hotseat, or a full hour of Hotseats.
- If you’re going to offer a Hotseat, tell the audience way ahead of time so they can prepare to bring their problem (along with any supporting material like photographs) to the presentation.
Example: You’re leading a presentation about garden design, and you’ve preselected three audience members (maybe you did a random draw ahead of time for the people who indicated they were interested) to be in The Hotseat. They have each provided you with an image of their garden, which is now on your screen so everyone can see, and you go through all the things they can do/change in that garden. Everyone learns together by watching what you, as the designer, do and the process you go through. Tip: Use a laser pointer so the audience can see what you’re referring to.
