Chapter 113 Answer the audience's questions after the speech

How you handle asking questions is a very important thing.A more exaggerated statement is that if you can't answer questions, you may even be suspected of giving a good speech with someone else's speech -- you will be suspected of being a fake.Of course, if you can deftly respond to the audience's questions, even counterfeit products can be passed as genuine. Einstein gave many lectures in many famous universities in the United States.His driver said to him one day, "Professor, I have heard your speech many times. I think I can give this speech." Einstein said, "Well, it's up to you tonight. Speak for me."

So, during the speech, the driver was introduced as Einstein.Surprisingly, the driver spoke without any mistakes, and even his actions and demeanor were very similar to Einstein.But during the speech, a scholar asked the driver a question, and the driver had no way to answer it, so he said in a hurry: "Your question is too simple, I think, let my driver answer you." All right." Although this is an unreliable story, it illustrates a truth, that is, in the process of giving a speech, answering questions is often the most troublesome question for the speaker.Indeed, as in most cases I've read, even great speakers get nervous when asked a question.

There is no way for us to escape the test of asking questions, this is an objective fact.Avoidance will only cause the speaker to fail in the course of the speech - because they do not handle the question well and affect the entire speech.So, how can we face these problems bravely?I have some suggestions here. We have already discussed the root of fear, which is uncertainty about the future.Therefore, we must first do: don't be afraid of asking questions. If you allow the questioner to ask questions, you are at the same time accepting a dangerous test, because the questioner will ask all kinds of questions.Some of these issues you have considered, but there must be some you have not considered.But you have to remember: you are afraid because you have lost the initiative.

Talking is an adventure, you should remember what I said.Accepting questions is to solve the audience's doubts and make the speech more effective.It may not appeal to you that it is part of the speech, or an extension of the speech itself.What's even more tempting is that when you take a risk, there's a lot to gain at the same time.If you can answer the audience's questions brilliantly, it will definitely add a lot of luster to your speech.Even if your presentation itself isn't particularly good, you can make up for it with brilliant responses to questions. In fact, if you are familiar enough with the content of your speech, then there is basically no problem.As for the lost initiative, it can still be controlled by oneself to a certain extent.

We all want to know our audience's questions in advance, and if that's the case, we'll be able to address them with confidence.Although we can't really know ourselves and the enemy, we can predict in advance what questions the questioner may have.Use your knowledge, think about the speech and the audience, see what questions the audience might ask, and think deeply about those questions. You can even find a friend with strong thinking skills to question your speech in advance. Although we cannot be foolproof, we should at least do our best to prepare as much as possible. Of course, after making these preparations, we still have to prepare for the worst.Be aware that your audience might bring up a question you hadn't considered or a tricky one, and how you're going to deal with it.Consider whether to divert these questions or say, "I'm sorry, I haven't really thought about this problem. I will seriously think about it when I go back." Of course, it is better to try to make this situation as rare as possible.Therefore, the more prepared you are, the better your chances of success.

Mastering the dominant position of discourse will make it easier for you to resolve this crisis.But it must be admitted that when the audience asks questions, they have actually taken the initiative in discourse—even if it is temporarily.However, this does not mean that there is nothing you can do about it, you must do your best to restrain the questioner and control their questioning. In general, well-prepared and well-thought-out speakers are able to give correct answers to well-reasoned questions.Unfortunately, those questioners may be asking unreasonable questions.So, you should start by saying: "Now, I will answer all your reasonable questions." The key word "reasonable" must be emphasized.It is not necessary and impossible for you to answer questions that do not relate to the topic of your speech.If you answer all those tricky questions—even if you know the answers—you've lost control.

It would be a good way to effectively control the time for asking questions.Tell the audience at the very beginning of your presentation when you plan to hold the question-and-answer session.Don't give your audience too much time to ask questions or the opportunity to ask questions at any time, it will do you a disservice.In addition, we should not give too much time to one or a small group of people, and we should take care of other audiences as much as possible, so as to make our speech successful.We also don't let the questioner give a long speech. When the audience is about to quote or state their own questions at length, find a way to interrupt them and let them return to their own questions as soon as possible. In fact, the method is very simple. You Just say to them, "So, what you want to ask is..."

How to correctly answer the audience's questions is a concern of many speakers. In fact, we have done the first few parts, and then we can deal with this situation well. First, listen carefully to the questioner's questions and try to discover their true intentions as much as possible.Some questioners are not able-not that they don't want to-express their doubts clearly, which may be the reason why they have doubts.You can think of it this way: "He actually wanted to ask..." Then, repeat the question to the questioner to make sure you understand it correctly.For questions that are vague, we can ask the questioner to explain clearly; for those wrong questions, we have to point them out politely.

Again, create time to formulate your answer, and don't rush to answer if the question is something you've already thought about beforehand, as this will show that you're thinking hard about the questioner. We should abide by three principles for our answer: first, the answer should be as simple as possible, do not allow yourself to make a second explanation, and do not play it unrestrained; second, do not avoid questions, and do not change the topic in a clever way.On the surface, you seem to be answering, but in fact you are avoiding it. This will only leave an impression of insincerity and is extremely impolite.The third is to refer to what was said in the previous speech.The purpose of this is not only to emphasize that the questions you answer are "reasonable" and related to the topic, but also to deepen the audience's impression of the content of the speech.

The audience's attitude towards the speaker's feedback is more than the correct answer given by the speaker.So try to be authentic and make your audience feel valued.Whether you are listening to the other person ask or answer questions, you must pay attention to your demeanor.Encourage nervous questioners and praise those who ask good questions.Even if an audience member asks a simple or stupid question, don't let it show.In the process of answering questions, try to give people a serious, modest and cautious impression. The questioner is different from the questioner, who asks for a clearer answer for himself, while the questioner just wants to embarrass the speaker.

The nightmare of many speakers is not the situations described above, but being interrupted by hecklers.Because the purpose of the questioner is ill-intentioned, wanting to see the speaker's jokes.Therefore, at this time, you should seize the opportunity to express yourself better. It is these questioners who provide you with such an opportunity-while you refute them, it is possible to make the audience more impressed by your speech.The point is, you have to defend your opinion with rebuttals, not let it get in the way of your presentation.