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Presentation Skills: How to answer those killer questions

Feb 19, 2017 by maurice decastro in communication skills , presentation skills , presentation tips.

Questions can be a major source of anxiety for many presenters.

In our presentation skills courses we are often asked to help people to answer questions more professionally.

It’s a much bigger issue than many people think.

When we probe a little deeper to understand the issue, our delegates often ask 3 questions:

         1. ‘How do I respond confidently to a question I simply don’t know the answer to?’

         2. ‘What if I don’t understand the question?

         3. ‘How do I deal with hostile questions?’

Our first task is to re-frame the way we think about being asked questions. For many people that presents a significant challenge.

It is often perceived as the moment of truth

We’ve spent hours crafting our presentation to ensure its content rich and helpful. We know our content well and have practiced exhaustively.

We’ve left nothing to chance; so what’s the problem?

It’s as simple as it is frightening. We convince ourselves that our entire reputation depends on how we answer questions.

Unfortunately, there can be a touch of truth behind that limiting belief. That’s why it’s the cause of so much anxiety amongst presenters. 

There’s plenty you can do to answer those challenging questions with confidence and credibility. Before we explore them, try to avoid this mistake.

Don’t answer a question saying:

“That is a really good question and I am glad you asked it.”

Quite often, it’s not a good question? If it’s not a good question the response sounds glib. If it is a good question, does that mean the others aren’t?

How you would feel if you asked the next question and the presenter didn’t acknowledge it as a ‘really good question’.

Just answer the question.

The scary six

Our job as presenters extends beyond crafting a content rich, compelling, presentation. We also have to deliver  it in a way that is congruent with our message. We have to anticipate difficult questions too.

Surround yourself with a small group of people you trust and respect. Share your presentation with them giving each person a specific role. 

Devil’s advocate 

Ask them to be contentious, oppose your view and challenge the strength of your presentation.

 Their role is to criticise you and to create an atmosphere of hostility and distrust.

The energy thief

 Get them to look for a negative aspect of everything you say.

The know all 

Encourage them to actively demonstrate that they know more than you on the topic.

Let them tell you in the most respectful way that they don’t agree with you.

The wanderer  

They demonstrate that they haven’t listened to a word you said.

It’s not an excercise for the faint hearted because it takes courage.

It is, however an investment worth making.

Once the scary six have taken you and your presentation apart, take another look at your presentation.

As painful and as strange as it may sound, remember it’s not real and it won’t happen. You, however, will be prepared for anything.

What exactly should you do with those awkward questions?

Killer question 1  – You don’t know the answer

The old saying ‘honesty is the best policy’, has stood the test of time because it’s true. The moment you try to bluff your way through a question you don’t know the answer to, you lose your credibility.

Try this instead.

Step into the question. In other words, take a step forward towards your audience. If you are seated then lean forward into the table or desk.

Have you noticed how common it is for people to be on the ‘back foot’ when they don’t know the answer to a question?

Your challenge is to be on the front foot and to step into or lean into the question.

Acknowledge the person who asked the question with eye contact. After that, bring the rest of the room into your response with eye contact too.  Once you’ve  moved forward and made eye contact, confidently say, ‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out and let you know’.

You have a few choices at this point. You can:

Ask the audience

“I don’t know the answer to that but I wonder whether anyone else in the audience does.”

“Can anyone help answer that question?”

Share a thought

You may not have the answer but you may have a view. Share a thought or perspective on the question if you have one. 

‘I don’t know, but I’ll find out and let you know. In the meantime I have a thought on the issue. Please keep in mind that it’s not the answer to your question as I’ve already stated I don’t know the answer but here is a thought…

What’s your view on that?’

Ask for a moment

If you need a little time to think about the question, ask for it.

‘I need a few moments to think about that.’

This also take a little courage but remember, you don’t need to rush in to giving an answer.

Give yourself a little time to think. Your audience will respect you for it.

Postpone the answer

It may well be that you know the answer but under pressure the answer has slipped your mind. This is another opportunity to be honest.

‘ Given the importance of the question, I’d like to give you the most complete answer I can. I will need to get back to you in…’

Killer question 2 – You don’t understand the question

I’ve long held the view that most people don’t really listen. I believe that many do something else – they wait to speak.

“Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” Stephen R. Covey

That is often the reason why we don’t understand the question. The solution is relatively simple; we need to really listen. That means:

– Listen – to the entire question

– Breathe – don’t leap straight into a response

– Check – ‘Let me just check that I understand you correctly, you are asking me if…’

‘To make sure that I’ve understood you correctly are you asking…’

If you still don’t understand the question, don’t panic.  Take a deep breath and ask them to clarify what they mean. Explain politely that you are still not clear you understand the question.

Killer question 3 – It’s a hostile question

Most audiences are on your side. They are friendly, open and are keen to learn from you. That said, every now and then you may get what we call hostile questions.

They feel hostile because of the emotional charge. The questioner may wave their pen at you challenging or criticizing your perspective.

If this happens, your  job is to remain calm. Depersonalize the attack and avoid being over defensive; easier said than done I know.

Your first priority is to diffuse the emotional charge and to take care of the rest of the audience whilst respecting the questioner.

Treat them the same as any other member of the audience.  Answer their question as honestly and as professionally as you can.

Avoid matching your tone of voice to theirs. Stay calm, professional and polite. Remember that your audience will align with whoever is more courteous and respectful.

Very occasionaly it appears as though the questioner is looking for more of an argument rather than an answer. This is rare but if it happens, you owe it to the rest of your audience to close it down.

You do have some options:

– You can acknowledge their concern and suggest that the two of you meet separately after the presentation to discuss the matter in greater detail.

– If the questioner persists you can calmly assert:

‘I’m afraid I need to move on now.’

It’s possible that you may need to repeat this two or three times.

– A  simple but powerful technique you can use to respectfully regain control of your presentation is to:

That means listening very closely and carefully to the perspective of the questioner.

You have listened closely enough to find something you can sincerely agree with. That does not mean you agree with a point they make even if you don’t. It means you listen intently for something that does make sense to you that you can agree with. When there is such a high emotional charge in a question it’s often fueled by passion and a need to be heard.

The questioner isn’t a bad person. They are simply someone who feels very strongly about what you are saying and may not share your perspective. Once you have listened closely enough to find something you can genuinely agree with, no matter how small, there is only one thing left to do.

You acknowledge that you agree with that element of their argument. Tell them that you understand their perspective or that the specific point they just made makes sense to you. Then you pause and you stay silent.

It’s more than a pause of course, as you are signalling to the questioner that you have nothing else to say on the matter.

You don’t say a word and watch what happens next.

Try to understand the motivation behind the question and tone. Share what you are picking up from them: “It sounds like your main concern is with the process. Is that correct?” This will encourage them to focus on the point they are trying to make. It will  also give you a little  time to consider a response.

One of the many key distinctions between a Mindful Presenter and a mediocre presenter is the ability to handle challenging questions professionally and effectively.

That distinction is achieved through the conscious focus and effort to:

– See questions as an opportunity to learn and engage, rather than be judged

– Listen very carefully to the question

– Lose the ‘headstuff’; in other words not making it all about you

– Pause and breathe

– Repeat the question if necessary and appropriate

– Understand the motivation behind the question

– Respect the questioner and the audience

– Anticipate difficult questions whilst crafting the presentation

– Stay calm, focused and on message

– Close the questions down politely and move on

If you need help answering those killer questions:

– Book yourself onto a powerful  public speaking course .

– Invest in some really good one to one  public speaking coaching .

– Get yourself some excellent  presentation training

Image courtesy of: iStock.com

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The 18 most important questions to ask before creating a video

Whenever we sit down with a client, we discuss how we can best tell their stories through video. A few common questions are universally helpful for those looking to produce a video, even though every organization would prefer to hear its story told differently. The following is a comprehensive list of the essential video production questions you should ask yourself before you begin your next project.

How Would You Describe Your Three Key Messages?

To ask the right questions during video interviews, do some research and understand what you’re trying to convey.

In many cases, companies fail to communicate anything valuable in one video. To successfully transmit the information to your target audience, you need to identify the most important aspects of your message.

To avoid information overload, we recommend coming up with three key messages for your video. First, be clear, concise, and inspirational. Then, write them down and use them as filters for all interview questions.

As an example, let’s say you want to communicate three key messages with a particular video:

• There’s a specific problem with how things are handled.
• Implementing our solution is easy with our representatives
• We provide the best solution on the market for that problem.

You should ensure that every interview question you come up with can be answered with one of these three key messages.

• There is a specific problem with how things are currently being conducted, which makes your product necessary.
• If someone asks, “Why should they choose you?” we are more likely to provide a solution than anyone else.
• We make it easy for people to begin using our service.

There is a strategy behind every successful video. There is a limit to how much information the human brain can process at one time. Showing up one day with a camera and microphone probably will not result in an outstanding video. Having a clear message is essential.

Why Is The Video Being Produced?

The most common request we receive is for companies to create a video on their website. Producing a video for your website is essential as it can convey the most information in the shortest amount of time. However, investing in a video goes beyond checking a box. As a result of this approach to video production, not only is the message confusing, but it is also difficult to measure the effectiveness of the video. 

Write down a well-thought-out vision for your video that answers the question, “What are we trying to accomplish by creating this video?”?

Instead of “We would like a video to be posted on social media,” try “We would like to create a video that conveys the values of our organization and lends credibility to our work.”

Understanding the “why” behind your video will help you create more valuable, authentic, and versatile videos.

Do You Know Who Your Target Audience Is?

There’s a lot of talk about the audience because it’s essential! It’s easy for organizations to get caught up in what they want to be and what they stand for. So communication of those things is necessary, but it has to resonate with the audience they’re trying to reach.

Your self-promotion otherwise amounts to nothing more than pounding your chest.

Your video should be targeted to the audience you want to see it. Therefore, it is crucial to answering the “who” first before you move on to other aspects of your video project, such as messaging, graphics, visuals, editing, and even music selection. Here are some examples:

Messages about “taking care of what matters” and gentle editing might be appropriate for a video aimed at moms-to-be.

Using a hi-res product video, quick cuts, and energetic rock or electronic music is an excellent way to target mechanical engineers looking for tools and gadgets.

Think about the following questions when choosing what messages and video styles to use for your audience:

• Where are the viewers’ pain points?”
• Are my audience members decision makers, influencers, or neither?”
• What motivates my audience to watch this video?”

You can use these questions to understand better what type of video to create and how to craft a message that resonates with your target audience. In order to know who the video will be for before we even begin the video production process, we create buyer personas for our clients – fictional, generalized representations of ideal customers.

How Long Would you Like Your Project to Take?

The production of a 30-second video would be significantly enhanced if it only took 30 seconds. But unfortunately, it does not quite work that way. Therefore, it is vital to communicate your ideal timeline to your video team during the planning phase. By doing so, you can avoid missing deadlines as the project progresses. 

There is a standard turnaround time for videos in every organization that produces or uses video production services. However, you can still achieve a faster turnaround time by simplifying the project scope if you need your video completed sooner. On the other hand, you may need some time to materialize a very complex and in-depth vision.

Is There a Budget for Your Project?

As with the video timeline, the complexity or simplicity of your video project will influence the final budget. Please ensure that your video team is aware of any specific budget you may have in mind. 

Producing a video can indeed be costly. There is, however, a difference between all videos. To reduce the production costs of videos, it is important to remember that time, people, and equipment are the primary factors. It is possible to create a video that includes underwater footage, mountaintop views, and five different locations – just be prepared to spend more money. Perhaps a few short, high-level videos on your landing pages would be an appropriate use of video. It is beneficial to keep costs low by reducing the use of these resources.

It is important to understand that the cost of your video directly reflects the number of professionals required to execute the vision. If your story requires multiple cameras and multiple shoot dates, a multi-camera shoot, an audio technician, and a field producer will likely cost more. On the other hand, you will probably need to spend a little less on your budget if the best way to tell your story can be captured with one camera during one half-day shoot.

Does your Video Contribute to a Campaign or Strategy?

The use of video can be a great way to complement a goal-oriented campaign. Nonetheless, if your video is part of a larger initiative or strategy, make sure your video team is aware of your plans. A smart video company can help you gain a deeper understanding of the larger vision to maximize your efficiency.

With a clear blueprint of the information you are trying to capture, you can often extend your video shoot by just a few hours, resulting in more bang for your buck (and who wouldn’t want that?).

What are your plans for Measuring Results and ROI?

Do you want to drive video views? Demonstrations? Sales? What about donations? Depending on the metric, a different video strategy is required. It’s often about the bottom line in marketing – and understanding your success metrics can help shape the vision of the video.

Consider what would be required to make the video successful with your entire team. The metric may be the number of leads generated, views on YouTube, dollars donated, or a combination of these (Having your video production team work toward the same goal increases internal buy-in when implemented.)

If you seek more exposure, views or social media shares might be what you are looking for. In addition, to increase your lead generation, you may wish to add a call-to-action button at the end of your video that provides a link to a page where viewers can fill out a form in exchange for more content or a preliminary service (e.g., an eBook, a free consultation/assessment). 

In addition to providing a framework for ROI, setting smart goals in advance will also give a direction for the whole project, from planning to execution.

What Emotion are you Trying to Evoke?

Once you have identified your target audience, the next step is to decide how you would like them to feel after watching your video. Engaging content makes people feel something, which is the job of the person who creates the video and its message. 

If a specific audience watches your video on your website, through an email campaign, or at an event, what action do you envision them taking after the video fades to black? Your messaging, the visuals, and the overall tone need to reflect the general feeling you want to create, whether you want someone to reach into their pockets for tissue and chequebook or click the “buy now” button.

A study conducted by OkDork examined the 10,000 most shared pieces of online content and found that the most common emotions were:

• Awe (25%)‘Popular
• Laughter (17%)
• Amusement (15%) 
• Empathy (6%) 
• Surprise (2%)
• Sadness (1%)
• Other (15%)

It is unlikely that having your video shared online will be your ultimate objective, but the study demonstrates that different emotions resonate with people at different levels. So when creating your video storyboard, keep this in mind.

Are there any Specific Visuals That Should be Captured?

Though it’s important to consider any key events, scenarios, or people that would require scheduling during the video shoot before identifying specific shots and visuals to capture. 

For example, suppose your manufacturing facility is the busiest right before the holidays. In that case, you may want to schedule the video shoot during that period to demonstrate the breadth of your capabilities.

In Whose Name Will the Organization Speak?

It is common for many companies to automatically turn to the C-suite when they are in need of spokespersons or characters for their company videos. The boss should not be used as the voice of a video, regardless of how photogenic or enthusiastic they are. In some cases, a CEO speaking into the camera can seem a bit stuffy since they often try to communicate too much in a short period.

In order to generate revenue, your CEO may give the audience the “wow factor,” but what you really want is the “trust factor.” It is vital to capture the essence of your organization, which is usually better communicated by those working on the ground floor. Your organization has contributed to improving someone’s life, so when they speak highly of your work, they speak from first-hand experience.

It is important to remember that your speaker does not necessarily have to be an employee of your organization. The best choice for your video content may be to hire a well-spoken client or a paid on-camera talent.

What Questions Should You Ask the Interviewees?

Video production requires the creation of interview questions. In the event that you are working with a video producer, ask them if they can assist you in creating interview questions. If you are making your video, craft a couple of questions for your subject.

Prepare five-pointed, open-ended questions in advance and send them to your interviewee. It is important to consider their perspective on the issue – what could they say about it that no one else could? Whenever possible, avoid closed-ended questions (i.e., questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”). Your next great sound bite may be hiding in the following answer, so listen for opportunities to ask a follow-up question.

It is essential to ask your interview subject not to memorize the questions – just to get a sense of them and how they might respond. You might veer off the script with follow-up questions if anything comes to mind during your conversation.

Is it a Good Idea to Script Answers to The Questions?

It is unlikely. A genuine, thoughtful response is what you are looking for, not a robotic one. It is usually the case that fresh, off-the-cuff answers will result in natural reactions and compelling sound bites unless your interview subject is ineloquent or uncomfortable with impromptu responses.

What Happens if they Don’t Get the Answer Right the First Time?

Since most video interviews will not be live, provide your interview subjects with the opportunity to retry if they misspeak or stumble during the interview. When your subject does not understand the question the first time, ask it again so they can respond naturally. 

For some individuals, being on camera can be a challenging experience. Try asking your interviewees some warm-up questions rather than getting right down to business: rather than getting right into the topic of your interview, throw them some off-topic ice-breakers. An experienced video producer can make the interviewee forget that they are in front of a camera by making them feel like they are speaking with a friend.

What Will be The Location of The Video Shoot?

The location of the shoot is often determined by the story you are telling. Many of our photo shoots take place on location, whether at your company’s headquarters, industrial factories, or in beautiful outdoor settings. If you require studio space, you may be able to control lighting, use a green screen, or eliminate noise during your shoot.

Most organizations have limited options for where their video can be shot, mainly if it is intended to portray the company’s culture. However, when choosing a location for your video shoot, keep the following points in mind: 

• Keep noise to a minimum. A sound bite can be ruined even by something as subtle as the buzz of a fan. 
• Make sure your backgrounds are simple. Throughout your story, you should focus on your primary characters. Occasionally, it is acceptable to show work being done in the background – but this quickly becomes distracting. You should use background action sparingly for effect rather than as your landscape.
• It is better to have more space than less. An average video shoot requires a video producer, a shooter, multiple actors, a camera, lights, and audio equipment. It would be best if you avoided crowded conference rooms and offices. These things can crowd a space more quickly than you may have imagined.

As a general rule, we advise clients to select a location that accurately represents their organization while keeping the selection process as simple as possible!

Is it Appropriate to Correct Someone if They Say The Wrong Thing?

Giving your interview subject some time to complete the question is advisable. Whenever possible, do not interrupt your interviewee while speaking, even if they are off-topic, as you will risk taking on an opportunity for a great sound bite. It is only natural to react in response to the words we hear. That is okay – even preferred – if you try really hard to refrain from speaking.

After they have answered the question, if you feel that they have missed the point, you may take a moment to explain what you would like to discuss before asking the question again.

Can Anyone approve the Final Video?

Before you begin working on a video project, it is essential to identify who will be the key stakeholders involved in the review process and revisions. According to our experience, the CEO or a small group of marketing representatives will sign off on the proposal. To ensure you do not fall behind on your project schedule, you might want to add a few extra days to your project timeline if your company has many approval layers.

To avoid conflicting feedback, it is best to elect one person who will be responsible for all edits. This process can be simplified in order to minimize confusion regarding the importance of the revisions.

What will the Hosting, Distribution, and Repackaging Process of The Final Video be?

When planning your video, keep the end product in mind. Will it be hosted on YouTube? Would you like to link it to another video? Will it be posted on Instagram or emailed? Is it all of the above? The audio or graphics within the piece should convey this message to the audience.

Assuming what you already know, you can assume a few things about a great video:

• You likely have a captured and interested audience if your video is specifically designed for an event.
• When launching on social media, your objective is to capture your audience’s attention. Produce and publish a short, high-energy teaser of the full video on social media that links to the full video.
• To embed videos into an organization’s emails, you will need a hosting platform that allows embed codes to be seamlessly copied and pasted.

The production and editing of a video will differ depending on where it will be used. Throughout the process, consider what kind of end product(s) you want to achieve. Ideally, you do not want your video investment to be partially wasted because you did not plan how it would be used in advance. 

Don’t Ask, “How Long Should We Make the Video?”

It is true that you do not wish to bore your audience with a 20-minute video about your culture. Additionally, you should not attempt to summarize your organization’s history and mission in an 8-second blitz. In spite of this, setting a specific runtime for your video ahead of time is not the best approach. Rather than determining the length of the video based on its content, let the content drive the length.

It is important to note that if your content is good, people will stick around and watch. If it is not, they will not!

The Next Question should be: How do I do this the Right Way?

While you can get a lot of insights from this process, in the end – you need a professional team to turn this ideal into a reality.

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8 Ways to Handle Tough Q&A Sessions During Presentations

Written by: Ashish Arora

If you’ve ever given a presentation in front of a live audience, you probably know the Q&A session can feel scarier than the speech itself! That’s because while you can spend weeks preparing for your speech, the Q&A session is largely out of your control. And as we all know, anytime we don’t have full control, things can—and sometimes do—go wrong.

The key is to think of the Q&A session not as a potential snafu, but as another opportunity to show off your expertise, get immediate feedback and expand on your message. When you focus on taking advantage of this extra time with the audience, you put yourself in a mindset to further inspire and motivate attendees.

Read our top tips for handling tough Q&A sessions by  skipping ahead  or view the visual summary of this post below.

Embed on your site: <script src="//my.visme.co/visme.js"></script><div class="visme_d" data-url="01o01qy3-8-ways-to-handle-tough-q-a-sessions-like-a-pro" data-w="800" data-h="6674" data-domain="my"></div><p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; color: #333333" >Created using <a href="http://www.visme.co/make-infographics" target="_blank" style="color: #30a0ea"><strong>Visme</strong></a>. An easy-to-use Infographic Maker.</p>

Q&A Sessions: 3 Rules to Remember

Before we get down to the nitty-gritty, let’s first talk about what your ultimate goals for a successful Q&A should be:

Goal #1: Be a Responsible Speaker

Even though individual people are asking individual questions, your responsibility is to the entire group when answering all of them.

This leads us to goal number 2:

Goal #2: Keep an Eye on the Audience

Just as eye contact is critical throughout your presentation, it’s equally important during your Q&A session. Don’t just look at the person who asked the question, but always scan the entire audience so your answer really lands.

And that leads us to goal #3:

Goal #3: Make Connections

Every question asked is an opportunity to highlight your core message. Don’t just answer a question. Find ways to make a connection between the question and your content.

Now that you understand these three key principles, let’s move on to some ways you can handle Q&A sessions like a pro.

RELATED:  What Is Paralanguage? And How Can You Use It to Give Better Presentations?

1 Be prepared.

Eating half-priced sushi is never a good idea.

Know what else is a bad idea? Being unprepared for your Q&A session. Now you may be asking, “How can I be prepared for my Q&A when I don’t know what questions I’ll be asked?”

My “A” to your “Q” would be, “Are you sure you don’t know what you’ll be asked?” If you’re giving the presentation for the first time, consider showing it to friends, family and colleagues and have them ask you the toughest questions they can think of.

You may also want to spend some time searching Google using a variety of keywords related to your topic. This will bring up tons of relevant articles and blog posts where you can discover questions that have been answered within the content.

And finally, social media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter are a daily Q&A hotbed, so be sure to spend time looking on there as well.

2 Separate the wheat from the chaff.

Once you’ve gathered a nice list of potential questions, you’ll want to separate them into two separate categories: those you can answer in your presentation, and those that you can’t.

The questions that can be answered in your presentation are essentially little indicators that you’ve left important information out. Go back through and weave these answers into your content.

Will this take a bit of time to ensure you keep the flow of your original speech? Yes, yes it will. However, neglecting to add this information will be a red flag for the audience, and may perhaps indicate that you’re not the expert you’ve claimed to be.

Those questions that are not directly related to your topic but sort of “hover” around it should not be weaved in, but you should prepare to answer them nonetheless. And don’t shy away from any curveballs. Those are the ones you should prepare for the most!

3 Provide contact information.

No matter how prepared you try to be for your Q&A, it is very possible that one or two questions may be asked that you have no answer to. Don’t feel pressured to give an answer if you really don’t have one, because chances are it will seem weak and thrown together, and you won’t really be helping your audience members.

In these situations, it’s much better to prepare a slide with your contact information on it. Should someone ask you something that requires more thought or research, simply show the slide and ask that person to contact you so you can present them with the right answer at a later date.

This contact slide is also a great way to keep on schedule. If questions are not slowing down, let your audience know your time is almost up but that they can contact you with whatever further questions they may have.

4  Schedule your Q&A session.

The majority of Q&A sessions take place at the end of a presentation, but sometimes they happen in the middle. Then again, maybe the speakers right before you invited people to ask questions all throughout their presentations.

Tell your audience up front when the Q&A session will take place. This will help you avoid being distracted and will also encourage your audience members to begin thinking of questions.

5 Repeat the question.

Sometimes when the audience is very large, the venue needs to be even larger. This causes the acoustics to be less than desirable. In some instances, maybe the acoustics are fine but the question being asked is a bit jumbled and complex. Whatever the situation, it’s always a good idea to repeat, and if necessary, rephrase the question for the benefit of the rest of the audience.

And, for those attendees who ask three questions in one, just focus on what is the most answerable or relates to your content. You could say, “I’d like to answer all of your questions—but because I know other people have questions as well—let me focus on that first point.”

RELATED:  5 Proven Ways to Get an Audience on Your Side

6 Have fun.

A study conducted by the Bell Leadership Institute found that the two most desirable traits in leaders (speakers are definitely leaders) are a strong work ethic and a good sense of humor. When you’re answering questions, feel free to crack some (appropriate) jokes.

This is especially important when someone asks an awkward question, just to see how you’ll handle it. Yes, those people exist, and you can’t let them get the best of you.

7 Don't let them see you sweat.

Remember those old Dry Idea commercials?  That catchphrase “Never Let Them See You Sweat” certainly applies to Q&A sessions. Don’t ever lose your cool with awkward questions, but instead, deflect any awkwardness with humor.

If, for whatever reason, a question should make you a bit angry, take a second, breathe, and regain your composure as best you can. The good news is, your attendees are there to learn from you, an expert in your field, so, more often than not, you should only be asked sincere questions.

8  Don’t attempt perfection.

We can’t talk about having fun without talking about NOT trying to be perfect in your Q&A session. Human beings make mistakes; we’re not perfect but rather lovely works in progress.

If you make a mistake in one of your answers, don’t panic. Simply make a joke of it and correct your information. The important thing is to never let a mistake throw you off course. How you handle a mistake will tell the audience a lot about your character.

RELATED:  20 Creative Presentation Ideas That Will Delight Your Audience

9  End your Q&A the right way.

You’ve worked hard and come this far, don’t just abruptly end your Q&A with a, “Are there any more questions ... okay, thank you,” and walk off the stage. Always end your Q&As by repeating the main themes or key content points of your presentation. This will leave your audience with your overall message in mind.

Whether it’s an auditorium full of people or just a few team members in the conference room, handling a Q&A session like a pro will help you enforce your message and establish your credibility. Remember, since most Q&As happen at the end of a presentation, how you handle it will have a lasting impact on your audience members.

If you want to learn all our secrets on how to deliver an unforgettable presentation (as well as how to create visual slides with impact), grab our free e-book below.

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About the Author

Ashish Arora is the Co-Founder of SketchBubble.com , a leading provider of result-driven, professionally built presentation templates. Travelling the world to gather new creative ideas, he has been working in the digital marketing space since 2007 and has a passion for designing presentations. You can also find him on  Twitter or  LinkedIn .

• Effective Presentation Skills Tutorial
• Handling Questions and Answers

At the end of your presentation, if it is appropriate for the type of presentation, solicit questions from the audience.

Responding to Audience Questions

When someone is asking a question, make eye contact with that person, listen positively, and acknowledge by saying "thank you for that question," or say "that is an excellent question" or "that is an important question".

If the audience is in a large room and cannot hear each other's questions, repeat the question loudly for everyone to hear, before answering it.

If you know the answer to the question, respond appropriately and briefly so you can take more questions and not spend too much time on one question.

Effective Response to Question

This video clip is an example of a presenter effectively responding to an audience member's question .

Ineffective Response to Question

This video clip is an example of a presenter ineffectively responding to an audience member's question .

If the question is not relevant to the presentation, say something like, "I am really sorry that question is outside the scope of this presentation, but I will be happy to stay after the presentation and discuss it with you."

Effective Response to Off-topic Question

This video clip is an example of a presenter effectively responding to an off-topic question or one in which he or she does not know the answer .

Inappropriate Response to Off-topic Question

This video clip is an example of a presenter inappropriately responding to an off-topic question or one in which he or she does not know the answer .

If time is running out for answering all of the questions, say, "I am sorry. I am running out of time, but I will take one last question, and then I will be available at the end to answer any remaining questions."

If you do not know the answer to a question say, "That is an interesting question, and I will have to get back to you later on that" or ask the audience "Can someone help me with this?" or be gracious and acknowledge you do not know the answer at that time.

If an audience member criticizes or attacks what you had covered in your presentation, do not attack back, but separate the valid criticism from the personal attack, and respond to the criticism appropriately.

Some things not to do during the question and answer period:

• Shuffling papers or technology and not making eye contact with the questioner
• Belittling the questioner
• Calling those who want to ask questions by their physical characteristics
• Not taking questions in the sequence they are asked, but focusing on certain people or a side of the room

Asking Good Questions

If you are in the audience, know also how to ask good questions to indicate that you are following the presentation.

You can ask some general questions about any topic, and you may be genuinely curious about some things presented.

• What were the most challenging aspects, or what surprised you the most, in conducting this project?
• Why did you choose this particular methodology or argument instead of another one?
• How did you collect the data? Were there any problems in collecting data? What was the sample size?
• How did you validate your work? Did you validate with a real problem or situation?
• What are some of the limitations of your work?
• What recommendations do you have for further exploration in this project?

Learning to ask good questions at the end of a presentation demonstrates your active participation.

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• Organizing the Presentation
• Designing Effective Presentation Materials
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• Delivering the Presentation
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• Common Reasons for Ineffective Presentations

13 min read

17 Essential Video Production Questions to Ask Before Creating a Video

This blog post was originally published on August 2, 2022. It was updated and republished on June 18, 2024.

We find that clients are eager to sit down with us to discuss how we can use video to tell their best stories. And we always look forward to that opportunity. It’s not surprising that every organization would like their story told in a unique and special way, but there are a few core options to consider that are universally important for those looking to produce a video. Here's a comprehensive list of the essential video production questions you should answer before you roll the cameras.

Click one of the questions below to jump straight to that section:

1. Why do you want to create a video? 2. Who is your target audience? 3. What are your 3 key messages? 4. What is your ideal timeline? 5. What is your project budget? 6. Is your video part of a strategy or campaign? 7. How will you measure results & ROI? 8. What emotion are you trying to evoke? 9. What specific visuals should be captured? 10. Who will speak on behalf of the organization? 11. What questions should you ask the interview subjects? 12. Should you script the answers to the questions? 13. What happens if they don't get the answer right the first time? 14. Should you correct someone if they say the wrong thing? 15. Who needs to approve the final video? 16. Where will the video be filmed? 17. How will the final video be hosted, distributed, and repackaged? 18. Bonus: The one question you shouldn't ask 19. Conclusion

1. What is the purpose of the video?

In most conversations we have with prospects about making a video for their organization, we are told their reason is to “create something for their website." It makes sense. Producing a video for your website is essential because video content effectively communicates the most information in the shortest amount of time–and in the most compelling way. But investing in a video isn't just about checking a box. Not asking yourself what you want to communicate and why you want to convey it will result in a confusing message, making measuring success very difficult. 

Take time to think about what you want your video to say and write a well-thought-out vision that answers the question, "What exactly are we trying to achieve by producing this video?"

Instead of...

"We want a video to put on social."

"We want to create a video that shares our organization's values and establishes a sense of credibility to the work that we do."

Knowing the "why" behind your video will help you create a superior—and more versatile—piece of compelling video content.

2. Who is your target audience?

We talk a lot about the audience because, well, it's really important! It is one of the most crucial questions you need to answer before you begin thinking about your message in a video. We see a number of organizations getting caught up in who they are and what they are all about. Those story points are critical, but they must be presented in a way that resonates with the audience they're trying to reach. Otherwise, you're just pounding your chest and talking about yourself—without regard to your intended audience. 

Before you write one line of copy, know who you want to watch your video. Answering the "who" first will help you line up all the other pieces of your video project; elements like messaging, graphics, visuals (also known as b-roll), editing, and even music selection. Think about how your message can strike the strongest chord among your audience. For example:

• If you know you're creating a video for moms-to-be, you might use messages that reflect the idea of "taking care of what matters" and employ softer editing techniques scored with light, joyful music.
• If you’re producing a video targeting mechanical engineers looking for tools and gear, you could be a little more direct with bold product video images, quick cuts, and energetic rock or electronic music.

When deciding what messages and production styles to connect with your audience, ask these questions:

• "What are the viewer's pain points?"
• "Is my audience a decision maker, influencer, or neither?"
• "What is my audience's motivation for watching this video?"

These questions will help you better understand what type of video to create and how to craft your message to resonate with your target audience. We create buyer personas for our clients—fictional, generalized representations of ideal customers—specifically to help our clients understand who their video is intended to reach before we begin the video production process .

3. What are your 3 key messages?

Let’s assume your video will be crafted with interviews of key players within your organization. Before you begin drafting interview questions, take the time to research and gain a better understanding of what you’re trying to communicate. Also, share the questions with the interview subject so they know what is coming. This way both you and your interview subject will be prepared when the lights go on and the camera starts to roll. One note, make sure the interviewee doesn’t memorize the answers, this will come off as stiff and disingenuous. Instead, have them shape the answers in their head so they can speak fluidly and extemporaneously.

Many company videos make the mistake of trying to share too many messages in one video and end up failing to communicate anything valuable at all. Instead, determine the most important aspects of your message—those that must be understood to effectively reach your target audience.

The easiest way to avoid information overload is to identify 3 key messages to communicate in your video. Make them clear, concise, and influential or inspiring. Then, write them down and run every interview question through your 3 key messages as a filter.

Let's say these are your three key messages for your video:

• There's a specific problem with the way things are done.
• Our product/service fixes that problem better than any on the market.
• Our representatives make it easy to implement our solution.

Ensure every interview question you ask is open-ended and can be answered with one of those three key messages.

• “What problems does your product solve?" Because there's a specific problem with the way things are done.
• "What separates your company or product from the competition?" Because we have a unique approach to the problem.
• "How do people start using your service?" Our representatives make it easy.

Behind every good video is a strategy. Simply arriving at your production location with a camera and a microphone won’t capture the results you’re looking for in your video. You must begin with a plan–and that includes clear messages.

4. What's your ideal timeline?

You wouldn't need to partner with a video production company if it only took 30 seconds to produce a 30-second video. It can take weeks, if not months, or even years. This is why it's essential to communicate your ideal timeline and due date with your video team while you are in the planning phase. This will help you avoid missing deadlines or creating “fire drills” as you progress with the project.

Every internal video team or production company has a standard timeline for video turnaround. However, if you need your video completed quickly, simplifying the project scope can yield a faster turnaround time. Conversely, if you have a complex and detailed vision for your piece, share it with your producer and understand that bringing that vision to life might take longer.

5. What's your project budget?

Just like the video timeline, the simplicity or complexity of your video project will affect the final budget. If you have a specific budget in mind, be sure to communicate that with your video team.

Not all video is created equal. Depending on several variables, your video can go from affordable to expensive very quickly. The critical thing to remember is time, people, and gear tend to drive the cost of video production . It can be done if you want to produce a video with underwater footage, mountaintop vistas, and five different locations–just be prepared to spend more. Likewise, maybe a series of shorter, well-planned pieces on your website landing pages is the perfect use of video for your organization. The resources you use and how you use them will determine the cost of your video.

Ultimately, the cost of your video is related to the number of professionals needed to help execute the vision. It will likely cost more if your story is best told using multiple cameras, an audio technician, and a field producer over multiple filming dates. The budget will likely be less if the best way to tell your story is to capture it with one camera during one half-day of filming.

Check out this guide to help you identify which video production company is best for your budget.

6. Is your video part of a strategy or campaign?

Video can be a crowning piece to a goal-oriented, multiple-platform marketing campaign. But if you're planning a video as part of a bigger initiative or strategy , communicate your plan with your video producer. With a solid understanding of the larger vision, a thoughtful and strategic video company can help you maximize your efforts for efficiency and deliver a presentation that leverages the greater strategy.

There are tremendous economies of scale when making the most of your video production budget. By creating a clear blueprint of the information you hope to communicate, you can often extend your video filming time incrementally, capture more content to feature across your campaign and leverage your production dollars to enhance your message.

7. How will you measure results and ROI?

Are you looking to drive video views, product demos, sales, or donations? Each metric requires a different video strategy. Knowing your success metrics can shape the video's vision to meet those goals.

Enlist your entire team and direct them to think through what would make the video a success. Maybe the metric is leads generated, views on YouTube, dollars donated, or all of the above. Clarifying this, not only aligns your video production team with that same goal, but it also generates buy-in from your internal team when the process is successful.

If your organization is looking simply for more awareness or exposure, views or social media shares might be your goal. If you want more leads, you may want to add a call-to-action (CTA) at the end of your video, which leads to a page where the viewer can fill out a form in exchange for more content or a preliminary service (an eBook, a free consultation/assessment, etc.).

For every video, we recommend setting SMART goals, which translate to being: 

• M easurable
• A ctionable
• R epeatable
• T ime-bound

Setting SMART goals ahead of time will not only provide a framework for ROI but also give the entire project a clear direction, from planning through execution.

8. What emotion are you trying to evoke?

Once you've determined who the audience is, the next step is to determine what–and how–you want that audience to feel after watching your video. The reason people engage with content is because it makes them feel something. Creating that impression falls on the person creating the video, whose job is to bring the message to life in a way that touches the viewer.

When that specific audience is watching your video–either on your website, through an email campaign, or at an event–what do you want their action to be after the images fade to black? Whether you want someone digging into their pockets for a tissue and checkbook or feeling motivated to click the “buy now” button, that overriding feeling you want to create needs to be reflected in the messaging, the visuals, and the overall tone of the piece.

A 2014 study by the marketing blog, OkDork , looked at the 10,000 most shared pieces of online content. The most common emotions evoked were: :

• Laughter (17%)
• Amusement (15%) 
• Empathy (6%) 
• Surprise (2%)
• Sadness (1%)
• Other (15%)

Although sharing your video online may not be your ultimate goal, the study does illustrate the emotional impact of video. Keep this in mind as you craft the concept and execution of your video.

9. What specific visuals should be captured?

As you work through the pre-production process , take time to identify specific images that you believe will best depict your message visually. It’s essential to look ahead and consider key events, scenarios, or the schedule of key individuals to ensure they are included in your video production. For instance, if your manufacturing facility is busiest right before the holidays, it may be wise to schedule the filming to showcase the capacity and scope of your operations.

10. Who will speak on behalf of the organization?

By default, many organizations will immediately turn to the C-suite when identifying characters and spokespeople for a company video. No matter how photogenic or enthusiastic they are, we often recommend not using ‘the boss' as the voice for your video. A CEO speaking into the lens can come across as aloof or stuffy, as they often get caught up in trying to communicate too much in the time they have.

Your CEO may give the audience the "wow factor," but if you're in the business of generating revenue, the "trust factor" is really what you're after. You want to capture the heart and soul of your organization, which can be better communicated by the people on the ground floor of your company. Research shows viewers trust companies more when they feature employees in videos than executives. They've witnessed how your organization has helped improve lives. So when they talk about the quality of the work and the company's integrity, they speak from direct experience.

Remember: your speaker doesn't necessarily need to be from your company. A satisfied, well-spoken customer or even a paid, on-camera talent might be the best choice for your video content.

11. What questions should you ask the interview subjects?

Creating interview questions for a documentary-style video is an integral part of the video production process. If you're working with a video producer , lean on that person to help you create interview questions. If you're making the video on your own, take some time to craft a series of targeted, thought-provoking questions for your subject.

Send your interviewee a list of five sharp, open-ended questions ahead of time. But be sure to instruct your interview subject to avoid memorizing the questions. You want them to feel comfortable about the line of discussion and consider how they might answer questions. Let them know you might go off-script with follow-up questions or anything else that comes to mind during your conversation.

As you formulate the questions, consider their perspective on the topic–what insights could they provide that nobody else could? Try to avoid closed-ended questions (ones that could be answered with a simple "yes" or "no"). Listen for opportunities to drop a follow-up question–your next excellent sound bite could be hiding in the following answer.

12. Should you script answers to the questions?

Probably not. You're looking for genuine, thoughtful answers, not robotic responses. Fresh, off-the-cuff answers usually lead to natural reactions and compelling sound bites unless your interview subject is uncomfortable with spontaneous discussion. Let them know the interview is not intended to be a rigid Q&A session but rather a conversation and an exchange of thoughts and ideas. Once they relax and realize they’re simply talking with another person, they’ll forget about the camera and provide the insights and commentary needed for a compelling narrative.

13. What happens if they don't get the answer right the first time?

Most of your video interviews will not be live, so if the interview subject misses or stumbles, always allow them to try again. If your subject doesn't get it right the first time, rephrase the question as you ask again so they can respond naturally. 

Some people find being on camera difficult. If your interview subject is nervous and struggling to relax, try asking some “warm-up” questions to put them at ease. Rather than getting right down to business, toss some off-topic ice-breakers their way. A good video producer conducting the interview will help the interviewee forget that they are in front of the camera and make them feel more like they are talking to a friend.

14. Should you correct someone if they say the wrong thing?

Give your interview subject some time to finish the question. Avoid the temptation to jump in while your interviewee is speaking, even if they're a little off-course, because you'll risk interrupting a usable sound bite, or you could disrupt the flow of the conversation. It's natural to react to the words we hear, and that's terrific—even preferred—just try your best not to interrupt while your interview subject is speaking.

If the interviewee finishes answering and misses the mark, you can take a moment to explain the message you’re hoping to hear before asking the question again or moving on.

15. Who needs to approve the final video?

Before you get started with a video project, it's important to identify the key stakeholders involved in reviews and revisions. In our experience, “sign-off” can come from a small group in your department, or it could go all the way to the CEO. If your company requires layers of approval, adding a few extra days to your project timeline might be helpful to ensure you don't get behind.

Try to designate a project manager, or primary point person, responsible for gathering the suggested edits so there isn’t conflicting feedback for the producer. Streamlining this process can save time and money while minimizing confusion for your video production team.

16. Where will the video be shot?

Filming locations often depend on the story you are telling. Many of our productions are on location, whether it's at company headquarters, industrial factories, or amid beautiful outdoor scenes. On the other hand, your needs for filming may require studio space where you can control lighting, backdrop, and sound.

Many organizations have limited options of where their video can be filmed, especially if the goal of the video is to communicate company culture. Keep in mind several factors as you decide where to film your video:

• Be careful with noise. Even something as subtle as the sound of an air conditioner starting up can be picked up and ruin a sound bite.
• Keep your backgrounds simple. Your primary characters should be the focus of the story. Sometimes, it's okay to show work done in the background–but it quickly gets distracting. Use background action minimally for effect rather than as your landscape.
• Err on the side of more space than less. Most video productions require a video producer , a videographer or Director of Photography (DP), multiple characters, a camera, lights, and audio equipment. All of these things crowd a room quicker than you may think, so avoid tight-quartered conference rooms and offices. Remember, the more space you have behind the interview or on-camera talent, the better. Depth of field is critical to setting a visually appealing shot and can mean the difference between a cinematic image and an uninteresting clip you might see on the evening news.

Our overarching advice to clients is to choose a location that represents your organization most accurately, and keep it simple!

17. How will the final video be hosted, distributed, and repackaged?

Keep the end product in mind during the video planning process. Are you going to host it on YouTube? Would you like to link it to another video? Is it going on Instagram or in an email? All of the above?

The answer to those questions will determine the best method of delivering your video to your intended audience.

The use cases for an impactful video can vary widely, but you can assume several realities based on what you already know:

• You have a captured and interested audience if your video is specifically for an event.
• If you plan to launch on social media, you aim to capture the audience's attention. Produce and publish a short, high-energy teaser of the full video for social media, which links to the full video.
• If you're creating a video for an email campaign, you'll need to use a hosting platform that allows for embed codes to be seamlessly copied and pasted into your organization's emails.

A video will be produced and edited differently based on where you feature it. Be sure to think through the strategy to know what end product(s) you're working toward. What you don't want is for your video investment to be wasted because you didn't plan how it was going to be used and, more importantly, watched ahead of time.

BONUS: Don't ask, "How long should we make the video?"

Sure, you don't want to bore your audience with a 20-minute video about your culture, and you also don't want to try forcing your organization's history and mission into an 8-second blitz. However, setting a specific “run time” for your video in advance is not the right approach. Instead, let the content drive the length of the video .

The bottom line is if your content is compelling, people will stick around and watch. If it's not, they won't!

Every video project is different, but these universal video production questions should help you determine what your video should look like and what you want it to achieve.

Taking these steps before partnering with a video production company will save time and money, decrease confusion, and create a video you and your team can be proud of. If you have more questions or are unsure how to get started, consult your video production team to help you think through these strategies, identify key takeaways, and create a plan to produce your video.

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The Right Way to Handle Tough Questions During Presentations [SlideShare]

Updated: July 28, 2017

Published: January 21, 2016

If you've ever spoken in front of an audience -- big or small -- it's likely that you're familiar with "Q&A paranoia."

It's not that you don't want to answer people's questions -- heck, you're the expert -- but not knowing what to expect can be a little stressful. 

What if they challenge your stance? Try to discredit you? Or ask you something you haven't the slightest clue about?

While it's smart to anticipate certain objections, others may arise that you simply can't plan for. For tough times like those, check out the helpful tips in the SlideShare from 24Slides below.

How to you handle tough presentation questions? Share you tips in the comments section below.

Don't forget to share this post!

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100 Questions to Ask Students After Watching a Video

There’s something truly powerful about a well-crafted video in the classroom. It can transport students to distant places, condense complex information into digestible bits, and inspire different forms of creativity and thinking.

But the real magic happens in the discussion that follows – that’s when the ideas start to click, perspectives shift, and the learning cements.

The role of an educator doesn’t end when the video does; it evolves into guiding that post-viewing engagement. That’s why having a handy list of thoughtful questions is crucial. The right question not only sparks conversation but can also light up a myriad of mind-bulbs.

Table of Contents

Comprehension Check

• What was the main topic of the video?
• Can you summarize the video in one sentence?
• What are three key points the video presented?
• Who were the main people or characters in the video?
• What event or moment do you think was the most important?
• How does the information relate to what you’ve previously learned?
• What were the intended outcomes of the video?
• What did the video identify as a problem or challenge?
• Can you describe the setting of the video?
• Were there any dates or timelines mentioned that are important?
• What was something new you learned from the video?
• Was there a call to action mentioned in the video?
• Did the video mention any consequences or results?
• How did the video end?
• What questions do you have after watching the video?
• Did the video skip or omit information on the topic that you think is important?
• What was the most surprising fact or aspect?
• How do you think the information could be updated or improved?
• What do you think was the intended audience for the video?
• Did the video change any of your previous understandings or assumptions?

Critical Thinking and Analysis

• What message or idea was the video trying to convey?
• What evidence was used to support the points in the video?
• How did the video address counterarguments or alternative perspectives?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the video’s argument or presentation?
• Can you identify any biases or assumptions in the video?
• How does the information in the video compare to your own experiences?
• What underlying themes did you notice in the video?
• How credible do you find the sources or information presented?
• In what ways could the video’s message be misinterpreted?
• How would you improve the argument or narrative presented?
• Do you agree with the conclusions of the video? Why or why not?
• How does the video fit into the larger conversation about this subject?
• Is there more than one way to interpret the information presented?
• How does the video inspire you to think differently about the topic?
• What long-term implications could result from the information in the video?
• Did the video’s point of view seem objective or subjective?
• How would you rate the overall quality of the video?
• Were any claims or points made that you would question or like to verify?
• What additional information would you have liked the video to include?
• How does the video align or conflict with your own values or beliefs?

Personal Reflection and Connection

• Which part of the video resonated with you the most and why?
• Have you or someone you know experienced anything similar to what was shown in the video?
• How did the video make you feel?
• What personal experiences or prior knowledge did the video bring to mind?
• Have you changed your perspective on the topic after watching the video?
• What aspect of the video would you like to learn more about?
• Is there a quote or scene from the video that you found particularly impactful?
• How might the video relate to your future goals or interests?
• Were there moments in the video that made you question or reflect on your own behavior or beliefs?
• How might you apply what you’ve seen in the video to your life?
• What are some ways you could share the video’s message with others?
• In what ways might the video influence your actions moving forward?
• Do you feel motivated to take any specific action after watching the video?
• How would you explain the video’s significance to a friend or family member?
• Did the video clarify or confuse any preexisting notions you had about the subject?
• What from the video do you think will stick with you long-term?
• If you could ask the producer or creator of the video a question, what would it be?
• How might you use the insights from the video in a classroom or group discussion?
• What connections can you draw between this video and other things you are learning?
• How does the video’s content influence your worldview?

Creative Thinking

• If you could create a sequel to the video, what would it be about?
• How would you retell the video’s story or present its information in a different format?
• What are some creative ways the video’s message could be spread or applied?
• Can you imagine an alternative ending or outcome to the scenarios in the video?
• How would you have approached the subject of the video differently if you were the creator?
• What visual elements of the video stood out to you, and how did they contribute to the message?
• What kind of project or work could you create that’s inspired by the video?
• How could you use art, music, or writing to express a theme from the video?
• What do you think was the most creative aspect of the video?
• If you could add a character or feature to the video, who or what would it be?
• How might you use technology to extend the ideas from the video?
• What would a debate on the video’s key subjects look like?
• How can the concepts or issues presented in the video inspire innovation?
• In what setting, other than a classroom, could the video’s content be useful?
• How can you connect the video’s message with other subjects or disciplines?
• If you composed a song about the video, what would be the main message or chorus?
• Could you use the video as a basis for a community service project? What would it be?
• What would an interactive exhibit based on the video look like?
• How could you simulate an experiment or demonstration that complements the video?
• What would a social media campaign based on the video’s message entail?

Application to Curriculum

• How can you use the information from the video in an upcoming project or exam?
• What subjects or topics in your curriculum are related to the video?
• How might this video be useful for understanding real-world problems?
• In what way could the concepts from the video be incorporated into a science fair or school project?
• What theories or principles covered in the video align with your coursework?
• Can you use statistical or factual data from the video in a research paper or presentation?
• How might you include perspectives or ideas from the video in a group discussion or debate?
• What academic skills can you apply to analyze the video’s content critically?
• How does the video supplement or challenge the textbooks and materials you currently use?
• Can you design an experiment or study based on themes from the video?
• How might you use the video’s content to help a fellow student understand the course material?
• What questions would you include on a test about the video?
• How could the lessons from the video be applied to a class field trip or educational outing?
• Can you think of a way to use the video in studying for standardized tests?
• How would you incorporate the video into a lesson plan or teaching strategy?
• What video exercises could help reinforce the acquired knowledge from the video?
• How might the video serve as a prelude or complement to an upcoming lesson or unit?
• Could the video be paired with a specific reading or text from the curriculum?
• How could the information from the video be represented in a visual aid or infographic for class?
• What role can this video play in a culminating activity or capstone for the semester?

Frequently Asked Questions

What if students are hesitant to answer questions after watching the video.

If students seem hesitant, it’s often helpful to start with more objective, comprehension-based questions to build their confidence. You can also encourage them to discuss in small groups before sharing with the entire class or use techniques like think-pair-share to give them time to formulate their thoughts.

How do I ensure that every student gets a chance to participate in the discussion?

You can use strategies such as calling on students randomly, asking students to volunteer with their peers, or using tools like discussion sticks with each student’s name on them. Another method is to have students write down their answers first, ensuring that everyone has formulated a response, and then share it with the class.

Can I use these questions for videos in all subjects, including math and science?

Yes, these questions are designed to be versatile and can be adapted to any subject, including math and science. Tailor the questions to fit the topic of the video and the concepts you wish to reinforce or explore further.

Are these questions suitable for students of all ages?

The questions provided are generally geared towards middle to high school students but can be simplified or made more complex to suit different age groups. For younger students, it’s advisable to modify the language and focus on more concrete concepts.

Final Thoughts

Let’s wrap things up by remembering that each video watched in the classroom is more than just a passive learning experience; it’s a launchpad for inquiry, insight, and interaction.

With the right questions, we can turn any video into a dynamic educational tool that challenges, connects, and captivates. I hope these questions make your next class discussion as sparkly and productive as it can be, and remember, the only bad question is the one not asked.

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Bea Mariel Saulo

How to Answer Questions After A Presentation – 11 Tips

August 12, 2022

How do you answer questions after your presentation? For many people, handling presentation questions is the scariest part of presenting.

Answering questions becomes much easier if you prepare properly. so how do the best presenters answer challenging questions effectively, answering presentation questions is a real skill.  and it’s a skill you can learn.  over the last 15 years we’ve coached thousands of people to be brilliant at presentation questions and answers. , do please call us and we’ll tell you about our presentation coaching – it’s fast and good value., having coached executives for critical presentations for nearly 15 years, we recently asked our team of experts for their top tips., whether you are a business executive or from the c-suite or just want to improve how you present, these ten tips will help you shine when you answer questions:, ten steps for answering questions after a presentation..

Let’s review each tip in turn:

To Answer Questions Tip #1. Listen to the question!

Take a mental step back when you hear a question.

• What’s really being asked?
• What’s behind the query?
• Is there a hidden agenda?

Don’t be tempted to think of the answer as soon as you hear the start of the question. Instead be an active listener. You may need to clarify the question before answering. If you are not certain what you are being asked, you may answer the question you want, rather than the question they asked. And as you listen, you will learn something . Most questioners are looking for something specific.

How to clarify the question you are asked If you are not 100% sure what you are being asked, then use one of these question clarification techniques. 1. Repeat the question back and rephrase – then check that’s what they want to hear 2. Ask a question 3. Ask them to repeat the question. 4. Apologies, and say you did not understand, could they please repeat.

Answer Presentation Questions Confidently Tip #2. Have the mind-set of a teacher

A question is not an exam test . If you are asked a question, its because someone wants to know something. Your job is to help them understand. Whatever is on their mind, how can you help them?

So, put yourself in the role of a teacher. You have presented on a subject you understand, and you have a someone who wants to know more. Your can inform, educate and perhaps even entertain. If you do it right, you will look good in the eyes of the questioner and in the eyes of the audience. Enjoy the prospect of helping people when you answer questions.

Answering Questions Tip #3. Every question is different

We can never know what’s going on in the minds of the audience. That means each person in the audience will see you differently. For some, it will be about protecting their own interests, for others it may be about gathering more information.

And people have their own style – from super soft to nail hard . You’ll have to assess where they are coming from, what they re looking for and how they think. The best way to answer questions is to listen and learn from the comments they make and the questions they ask.

Learn how we can help – schedule a free consultation now

Answering Presentation Questions Tip #4. There’s no such thing as a stupid question

It may sound stupid to you, but every audience question is aimed at understanding something. Don’t assume that you know what the person really wants. Perhaps they don’t understand – or perhaps they are testing how you react (yes, some people do this!). So treat every question with respect, consideration and then use it as an opportunity to help the audience understand better.

Presentation Questions Tip #5. Every question is an opportunity

If you are properly prepared for your presentation, then you will have key messages to get across. Use your answers to reinforce, restate, or reframe your messages.

Beware of feeling challenged by tough questions . You do not want to look defensive of uncertain. Instead, like a teacher, you want to help your questioner and perhaps help the audience see the world the way you see it. One powerful piece of advice is Show, Don’t Tell. Use stories , examples and illustrations to bring your business to life when answering tough questions.

Answering Questions Tip #6. How you answer questions is as important as what you say

As we said before, your meeting is not an exam. It’s more like a meeting of minds. So work out what the other person believes and is feeling. How can you do this?

You could ask probing questions, such as:

• Does what I’ve just said explain it?
• Do you want to know more?

For more hypothetical questions you could explore what they believe: “And what do you think?” The more it feels like a conversation rather then a quiz, the more likely you’ll be successful.

Give Great Answers Tip #7. You must prepare

We have seen too many people turn up to presentation Q&A sessions unprepared. By contrast, successful presenters and management teams prepare to answer questions with the intensity of an elite athlete.

After all, you want to be seen at your peak when presenting.

There are three best practice techniques for preparing your Q&A:

• List the tough questions you may be asked – especially the ones you don’t want to be asked. Work out answers to these in advance, decide which should be answered before the Q&A by incorporating it into an earlier part of your presentation, and which will wait for the Q&A.
• Select who in your team will respond – You will feel more confident and, if the questions do get asked, you will be properly prepared.
• Bring in a fresh perspective . Get someone outside the organisation to identify new questions you may get asked – and get the outsider to listen to your answers to the tough questions. A neutral third party (like Benjamin Ball Associates ) can give you insight and expose the weaknesses in your arguments and answers.
• Stress-test your answer s. Spend time as a team firing questions back and forth. Then review how you answer these. Keep at this until you have got it right. The more you prepare, the more natural you will sound.

For important presenting events, we frequently spend many hours preparing teams with tough questions, video review and rehearsals. Just like elite athletes, you only build muscle strength with practice.

Answering Questions Tip #8. Don’t try and answer impossible questions

There are some audience questions you cannot answer. If you learn our approach of Question Triage (a technique for classifying questions up front) you can spot these a mile off. Then you can use proven techniques to get yourself back to safe ground and onto a topic that you can talk about with confidence.

Presentation Question Answering Tip #9. Finish strong

Audience question sessions often end flat. Frequently, people feel pressured to finish quickly, especially if time is short. This is a mistake.

Never miss this opportunity to reinforce your important messages while also showing that you have listened to what the other person has said. Even a strong 30-second summary at the end will show that you have listened. This can also highlight what they need to hear.

Tough Question Tip #10. Beware the last question trap

AKA the Columbo moment. If you are a child of the ‘70s you may remember the TV series Columbo .

The bumbling detective always finished his interview with a suspect and, as he walked away, would say “Just, one more thing….’  With that one line he caught the suspect off guard and got the information he needed.

How to answer questions confidently

Top tips for answering questions confidently

What To Do Next to Better Answer Presentation Questions

I f you’d like to improve how you handle tough questions, please give us a call.

We’d be happy to discuss ways we can help you. For example, we run extensive Q&A rehearsals to build skills and increase confidence. You’ll find that working with our experts is a small investment that can deliver amazingly high returns. We offer short, intensive coaching sessions.

To discuss how you can improve your next presentation question session, please call Louise Angus on 020 7018 0922 or email [email protected] .

Transform your presentation skills with tailored coaching

We can help you present brilliantly. Thousands of people have benefitted from our tailored in-house coaching and advice – and we can help you too .

“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.” Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice of leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East to improve corporate presentations through presentation coaching, public speaking training and expert advice on pitching to investors.

Unlock your full potential and take your presentations to the next level with Benjamin Ball Associates.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email [email protected] to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

Or read another article..., how to write a speech that matters – 10 top tips.

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Contact us for a chat about how we can help you with your presenting.

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50+ Fun Icebreakers For Your Next Presentation

If you’re looking for the perfect icebreaker to open your presentation and connect with your audience from the get-go, look no further! With the help of our presentation experts here at 24Slides, we have compiled the ultimate list of icebreakers you can use in your next presentation, meeting, or conference. 

We’ll also go through some quick icebreakers 101, solving questions like:

What is an icebreaker?

• Why should I start my presentation with an icebreaker?
• What makes a good icebreaker for presentations?

And, of course, you’ll get our compilation of over 50 icebreaker examples for your next presentation. Since there’s no one-size-fits-all, we’ve divided our presentation ice breakers into categories depending on the context of your presentation, so you can go straight to the ones that will work the best for you!

In this article, you’ll find:

Icebreakers for one-on-one presentations

Icebreakers for small group presentations (2-10 people), icebreakers for medium group presentations (11-30 people), icebreakers for large groups (31+ people), icebreakers for business and sales presentations, icebreaker ideas for training sessions and workshops.

• Virtual presentations icebreakers
• Fun icebreaker examples for playful presentations
• Great simple icebreaker questions  

So, are you ready to become an expert in using icebreakers in your presentations?

Imagine you’re in a room with a bunch of people where you know only a few of them or even none at all. You’d probably start feeling awkward and self-conscious, uncertain to interact with those around you. When you’re uncomfortable, your attention will probably be divided between wanting to listen to the speaker and making sure your elbows don’t touch your unknown neighbor. 

And, if you’re the speaker, you might feel pretty awkward too. Speaking in front of an audience is never easy, and you might wonder how to approach your presentation’s topic, especially if it’s dense or very important. 

An icebreaker is precisely what its name suggests: it breaks the ‘ice’ of uncomfortableness between you and everyone else around you. Icebreakers are usually short activities meant to help your audience to connect first as people before approaching your presentation’s topic - making your audience more relaxed and likely to hear out your ideas. 

Icebreakers can take many forms and shapes, from simple questions to engaging games. They can require people to talk with each other, answer a poll, or even move around the room. Anything that will make your attendees open up could be an icebreaker as long as it makes people feel more at ease! 

Benefits of icebreakers

The main objective of using an icebreaker in a presentation is to help people get more comfortable and avoid the common awkwardness when first speaking to a new audience. 

Icebreakers can accomplish many things - presenting yourself, getting people more at ease, and even as an introduction to your presentation’s topic. But they also offer a wide array of side benefits, like getting people more involved with your presentation and making it more memorable. 

If you’re thinking to yourself, ‘Why should I add an icebreaker to my presentation? I’m just fine without one!’ here are 6 of the top benefits of using an icebreaker in your next meeting. 

• It breaks down the awkwardness

For people who aren’t 100% an extrovert, presentations and meetings are likely to create a certain degree of awkwardness. And having a room full of people who feel uncomfortable around each other can be detrimental to your presentation. Icebreakers help lessen this feeling in your presentation – making people relax and be more at ease so they can put all their energy into listening.

• Icebreakers help people relax and have fun

When people relax, they’re more likely to entertain new ideas. An icebreaker may be the turning point to make them feel more receptive to what you’re going to say. It also opens up more possibilities for inviting your audience to participate and ask questions. Icebreakers are a great way to make them feel welcomed and more likely to volunteer or join whatever activity you’ve prepared for them onstage.

• Help you connect with your audience

A presentation where the speaker starts right away can feel a little jarring. Icebreakers are the perfect way to introduce yourself and your topic without throwing your audience headfirst into the presentation. A good icebreaker can help you connect better with your audience – making them, in turn, more likely to hear you out!

• Gives your audience an energy boost

Some presentations can feel like they take forever. When you’ve been sitting down for what seems like hours, you might feel yourself starting to nod off. An icebreaker doesn’t necessarily happen just at the start of the presentation. It can be a great way to wake up your audience after a quick break and bring them back to the topic at hand. 

• Gives a chance to network with others

The right icebreaker can get your audience talking and help them find things in common. After all, your audience is all in the same meeting for a reason! By giving them the opportunity to interact with one another, you are also giving them the extra value of finding people who can work with them in the future. 

And, of course, icebreakers are great ways to get the ball rolling, so by giving your audience a chance to talk with one another, you might also get more interesting and unique takes on questions and ideas later on. 

• Creates a positive atmosphere

A positive atmosphere is created when people lower their barriers and defense mechanisms, making it more conducive to learning. A negative atmosphere, on the other hand, is felt when people don’t feel at ease and give their neighbors the cold shoulder. ‘Breaking the ice’ needs to get done as soon as possible!

5 Practical Tips for a Good Icebreaker 

What makes a good icebreaker? This is a tricky question to ask. Many icebreakers that work in certain situations will not work in others, as their use depends on context. 

Here are key factors to consider when planning your next presentation’s icebreaker: 

• Know your audience

Take the time to research your audience. The most important thing when planning your presentation’s icebreaker is to remind that you want your audience to feel less awkward  — not more.

Taking your time to learn about the people in front of you is the easiest way to avoid doing or saying something that could potentially offend your audience. Even if you do it unintentionally, the damage will still be done. 

• Identify your presentation objective

The right icebreaker will help you achieve your presentation objective, so take some extra time to think about it. For example, if you’re giving a presentation on cooperation and teamwork, you can do a game where your audience needs to rely on one another. Or conduct a poll to ask your audience how confident they are in their teamwork skills. 

Making your icebreaker closely relate to your presentation’s topic will not only open up your audience but also allow you to transition smoothly to the rest of your presentation. 

• Involve everyone

The icebreaker should be inclusive, meaning it shouldn’t exclude anyone from joining. For instance, if you have a disabled person in the crowd, then you wouldn’t want him or her to feel awkward for not being able to join. 

Have a backup icebreaker just in case the first one excludes someone. The point is that fun icebreakers should make everyone feel more at ease  — and not at the expense of the outliers of the crowd.

• Make sure you understand the context

To pick the right icebreaker for your presentation, you must know the overall setting in which it will take place. A presentation to the board of directors where you need to explain where the sales have been going down is probably not the best place to use a joke as an icebreaker. Or, if you’re giving a quick 15-minute presentation, you might not want to begin with a game that will take at least 10 of them. 

Taking into consideration general setting cues like time frame, space and resources availability, and presentation tone, will help you pick the perfect icebreaker. 

The Ultimate Presentation Icebreakers List

Here you’ll find the perfect icebreaker for your presentation. Since not every icebreaker will work on every situation, here you’ll find them divided into several categories: 

• Icebreakers depending on your audience size
• Icebreakers depending on your presentation’s tone and context
• Quick and easy questions to break the ice

Do feel free to browse through the entire list: most icebreakers will be easy to adapt to fit your specific needs and your presentation!  

Presentation Icebreakers for Every Audience Size

While in a small crowd, you might be able to ask person by person their input, this will most likely not be the case in large groups. On the flip side, a game that needs the audience to divide into teams might be a good pick for a medium-sized crowd, but not a one-on-one presentation. 

Among the many options of icebreaker options all over the web, we’ve compiled and edited a list of which ones will work the best for each audience size: 

• Introduce yourself. Unless you already know each other, introducing yourself is the easiest way to look proactive and get your presentation going. After all, it’s in your best interest for your prospect to warm up to you before your pitch or presentation!
• Have a conversation . Don’t go straight to your topic. Always warm up your prospects and engage them in conversation first. Try to ask open-ended (instead of just ‘yes’ or ‘no’) questions. You can tackle topics like current events, or even just the weather! Just talking in a more casual way will make the person feel more at ease and more likely to give you their undivided attention. 
• Ask them about their personal life. If it’s someone you already know, build rapport by showing you care about them. You can ask about their kids, vacations, or even their favorite sports team. Remembering what they care about can be a huge plus when building a better atmosphere! 
• Let them tell you what they expect from your presentation. It’s the easiest way to make sure you live up to your expectations! It also allows you to introduce the topics of your presentation seamlessly. Even better, you’ll feel and look more confident and under control by taking charge of the presentation’s rhythm and agenda. 
• Ask something related to your presentation topic. Ask them if they know anything about your company, product, competitors, or something to that effect. It’s not only a great way to start your presentation without spending too much time on what they already know, but it’ll also help you gauge their knowledge so you can decide how in-depth you need to get in your presentation.
• Give them a small present just for showing up. Especially if the meeting is not an obligation for them, being appreciative if they show up can go a long way. After all, they’re investing their time and energy into you!
• Compliment them. It’s always nice to get compliments. But don’t overdo it, and always, always be genuine. If your prospect feels like you’re using flattery to get the sale, then it can seriously backfire on you later on. You’ll lose face and credibility.
• Introductions but with a twist. Ask everyone to introduce themselves and state something unusual or a fun fact about them. Towards the end of the presentation, ask them if they remember anything other people said during the introduction. If they get something right, reward them.
• Ask people to line up alphabetically . You can do this with their first names or last names. Or even their nicknames. This gets people talking and getting to know each other’s names.
• Charades . This is one of the best fun icebreakers on this list. It’s a party favorite but can also be used in presentations, meetings, and conferences. You probably already know how this works, but if not, here’s a funny charades video on Jimmy Fallon’s show.

• String a story together . Storytelling is a powerful element in presentations. But for this icebreaker, you’ll need everyone’s help to create a story. Start the first sentence yourself and then ask the first person in front of you to continue the story. Each person gets to decide the direction the story takes, one sentence at a time.
• Play word games . There are many different kinds of word games. But this is something you may find useful. Identify the subject or category the words should belong to, like animals or food. If the first person chooses ‘DOG,’ the next person must identify an animal that starts with the last letter of the previous word. In this case, it would be something that starts with the letter G, like GOAT.
• One word to describe him or herself . Give your audience one minute to think about the perfect word that describes them. And let the others assess if they agree with that word or not.
• Social media icebreaker . Let people open up their favorite social media accounts and then share a photo they’re most proud of. Ask them to share a line or two about why they love that photo.
• Switcheroo. Ask everyone to stand up and switch seats with the people in front of them. Do this when you notice people are starting to get drowsy and need some stimulation.
• Human bingo. This is a fun way to get to know people. Prepare the cards and the pen/pencil. The cards should already be filled out with various traits, characteristics, hobbies, etc. Then, your participants will need to go around and interview each person and check off a box that applies to them. The person who completes their card first gets a prize.
• Friendly debate. Group your participants into two. One should be the ‘pro’ group and the other is the ‘anti’ group. For instance, you can choose pizza lovers and pizza haters. Give them a few minutes to present their arguments and let the great debate begin!
• Two truths, one lie. Just like the title says, make your participants come up with 3 things about themselves, in which one of them is false. Then, in groups or pairs, the others would have to try and guess which one is the lie. It’s a great icebreaker to make your audience interact more with one another.
• Guess game. Just like the last one, it’s easier to make participants interact with one another through a game. Make everyone write on a piece of paper something fun, like an unlikely hobby or the oddest job they ever had. Your audience must try to guess who wrote which one. It’s not only a fun icebreaker, but it also helps people find out the things they have in common.
• Going to the beach. It’s an easy game, but a fun one! Each person will start by saying ‘I went to the beach and I took…’ plus an object, like a beachball, a towel, or a surfboard. Then, the next person must repeat the same sentence and add a new object to the list. The more people, the more the list will grow, and the first person who forgets an item loses! It’s also a good icebreaker for making attendees learn each other’s names by adding who brought what to part of the list they need to repeat. 
• Paper planes.  Make your audience write something about themselves on a piece of paper, and then instruct them to make a paper plane out of it and throw it! When they pick up a new paper plane, their goal will be to find the correct person. It’s the perfect icebreaker to get people moving and getting to know each other!
• Stretch. This one’s easy and straight to the point, but it does help break the boredom. Ask people to stand up and stretch for a few minutes. You can lead the exercise or play a short video on stage. After this short exercise, you can expect to see a bunch of awake and attentive faces.
• Treasure hunting. Hide a few prized items throughout the venue and send your participants on a treasure hunt. It’s always exciting to look out for a prize! Even better, by making them solve clues, you’d encourage your audience to work on their teamwork skills. 
• Stress buster. Hand small slips of paper to everyone and ask them to write down the things that are causing them stress lately. Then, during or after the presentation, ask them to rip it to shreds.
• Snowball fight. Divide your group into two sides, and give each person 3 pieces of paper to crumple. Give them 1 or 2 minutes to try to get as many ‘snowballs’ into the other team’s side. A healthy amount of competitiveness will help you break the ice in no time!
• This or that.  Another great icebreaker to highlight the things in common! Ask your audience to stand in the middle of the room, and ask them questions that will make them pick a side of the room. Things like ‘Dogs or cats?’ or ‘Night Owl or Early Bird?’ will have them jumping from one side to the other. 

Icebreakers depending on your presentation’s tone

When planning your next icebreaker, you must always take into account the context of your presentation. After all, giving a sales report to your boss is not the same as giving a fun workshop on teamwork.  

If you’re looking for the perfect icebreaker for a specific situation, here you might find the one you’re looking for!

If you’re looking for a more professional way to warm up your audience for your work presentations, these icebreakers are the one for you. Most business presentations are more serious and straight to the point, just like these icebreaker ideas!

• Storytelling. This one is the king of icebreakers for business presentations and for a good reason! Storytelling is an incredibly powerful tool to add to your presentations, as it helps to both exemplify your point and connect emotionally with your audience. And of course, this makes it the perfect option to break the ice and get their entire attention from the get-go. 
• The highlight of the week. This icebreaker is great for getting your audience into a positive mood. When planning your next business presentation, take some extra time to find something good that happened that week or that month. Maybe you record sales for that month, or you got an exceptionally good review from a customer.  
• Would you rather?  When planning your sales presentation icebreaker, this one will help to get your potential customer right where you want it. Highlight the value they’ll get from your product, and how they are missing out on it. From our experience, asking, ‘What do you prefer, struggling 5 hours per week on PowerPoint, or getting your presentations done by a professional team of designers in 24 hours or less ?’ really puts things into perspective!  
• Give kudos. The best way to put people in a good mood is to spread out some positivity!  Giving the spotlight to someone who has done outstanding work recently can be a great way to break the ice. 
• Brainstorming session. Group brainstorming is another great way to get people to exchange ideas. You hit two birds with one stone – an icebreaker and an idea generator rolled into one!

The best icebreakers for training presentations and workshops are those that incentivize teamwork and learning skills. These icebreakers will help your team get to know each other better and work together in tandem. 

• Live polls. There are many apps that allow your audience to make live polls and display the results immediately. This is a great icebreaker, as it can be as serious or lighthearted as you want. You can use it to ask the audience’s mood, their favorite food, and how much they know about the topic at hand.  
• Word cloud.  Just like a poll, a word cloud can be a great option to explore what your audience thinks about a prompt or concept you give them and to get the ball rolling. You can make them write down in groups, have them add their ideas to a board, or even make one through an app ! 
• Problem-solution icebreaker. Present a real or hypothetical problem, and ask people to pitch in their solutions. You can ask them for their input individually, or you can divide them into pairs. As the saying goes, two heads are better than one.
• Finish a puzzle together. This is great for group work as everyone can contribute. For example, you can give them a few pieces each, and they’ll then work as a team to complete the puzzle.
• Pop quiz. This icebreaker is the best to keep your audience on their toes and on a learning mood. You can add it at the end of your presentation, before or after a coffee break, or even at the beginning to see how much previous knowledge your audience has. 

Virtual presentation icebreakers

Not sharing a physical space can make breaking the ice even more of a challenge, especially since many icebreaker ideas would not fit an online presentation. So here you’ll find some icebreaker options that are specifically designed for virtual meetings!

• Drawing battle. You don’t have to be a professional artist to enjoy this one! There are many apps and websites that allow you to add this game to your virtual meetings. Just propose a topic and let people try to guess what one of them is drawing! You can even divide them into teams to make it more interesting. 
• Try a virtual escape room. If you have time, try giving your audience this challenge to build cooperation and teamwork. It’s not only great for learning to work together but also to have fun and loosen up. 
• Count till 20. Your team must try to count to 20 by shouting one number each… but without agreeing in which order they’ll go. This icebreaker will definitely make people wake up, and probably also laugh as they try to avoid talking at the same time. 
• Emoji movies. Just like charades, your audience must try to guess the movie or book. But instead of someone acting, they must guess it from the emojis. It’s a great adaptation of a classic game for virtual meetings!   

Fun icebreaker ideas for playful presentations

Icebreakers can also help your presentation be more playful and fun! If you like your icebreakers a little silly to make sure people loosen up their inhibitions, then take a look at these ideas. 

• The no smiles challenge. If you’re making a fun, playful presentation, a great way to make it even funnier is to tell people smiling and laughing aren’t allowed in your presentation. This will most likely have the opposite effect, making people even more ready to laugh at your jokes! 
• Human rock paper scissors. This is a fun, high-energy game, but may not be feasible for older participants. Check this video to see if this is something you can use in your presentation.

• GIFs mood barometer. If you want your audience to be a little bit playful, having them share their mood as a GIF is the perfect way. If you want to keep some control of what they share, you can also use a live poll to give them options to choose from. It’s the perfect lightweight activity that still gives you valuable insights into your audience and their energy levels. 
• Bad jokes contest.  The only thing funnier than a good joke is an extremely bad one. Have your audience try to use their best dad jokes on each other while avoiding laughing at the jokes of the rest.  

10 Great Icebreaker Questions for Any Presentation 

Sometimes simpler is better, and the easiest way to get people talking is to ask them to do so! These icebreaker questions will help your audience open up without taking much time or extra preparation. 

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and what would be your superhero name?
• What's the most random piece of trivia you know and why?
• What is the oddest job you ever had, and how did you end up working there?
• If you could make a reality show, what would it be about?
• What cartoon character would you like to hang out with?
• Where is the most embarrassing place you ever fell asleep?
• If they made a sitcom about your life, what would the theme song be?
• What were the best and worst workshops/meetings/conferences you ever attended?
• If the zombie apocalypse began, what three people in this meeting would you want on your team?
•  If you had to teach a class right now, what would the subject be?

As a speaker or presenter, it’s important that you prepare fun icebreakers for your audience. You want people to be comfortable not just with you, but with their neighbors and groupmates as well. The icebreakers in this list are just the tip of the iceberg concerning the wide array of possibilities you can choose from. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and get creative with your icebreakers!

Need more time to prepare for your presentation? 24Slides has you covered!

Now that you’ve begun thinking about your presentation, and the best way to break the ice with your audience, you might wish to have more time to prepare for it. Luckily, 24Slides can help with that !

You can focus on your presentation’s content and how to make your audience as comfortable as possible, and 24Slides professional designers will tackle the visual aspects of it all. In less than 24 hours , you can get a custom-made, fully editable presentation that will wow your audience and make it even more memorable. 

You might also find these articles interesting:

• 7 Essential Storytelling Techniques for Your Business Presentation
• How to Deliver the Perfect Online Presentation
• Improve Your Presentations' Body Language!

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Home Blog Business How to Moderate Question-and-Answer Sessions in Your Presentation

How to Moderate Question-and-Answer Sessions in Your Presentation

An unconventional question is the one thing that can ruin the presentation you’ve been preparing for. Picture this, you are in the middle of a talk, and someone from the audience shoots a query like a stray bullet. Now, you’re scratching for answers, and your credibility is in maximum exposure.

Questions play a significant role in enhancing the overall effectiveness of a presentation as it allows you to assess the audience’s understanding of the content you presented and engage with them on a deeper level. You don’t want to dodge the queries. Including a well-structured Q&A session within your presentation is vital.

This article explores how to moderate question and answer sessions effectively and how you can prepare for them.

Why Is Question-and-Answer Session Important?

So, why is it important to include a question-and-answer session in a presentation?

Dale Carnegie sums up the importance of questions in various aspects of life in his book, How to Win Friends and Influence People . “Questions are the key that unlocks doors of opportunity and locks out doubt and uncertainty,” he said.

Let’s look at the above quote through the lens of a presenter and break down the benefits that can turn out from a stressful Q&A session.

It provides clarification. During a Q&A session, participants can seek clarifications on any unclear points or misunderstandings. This allows presenters to address any misconceptions by providing additional information or context.

It allows you to overcome objections. Your audience may have concerns or doubts about your arguments. Use the Q&A session to listen to your audience’s concerns and address them directly. You may build trust and win over some audiences.

It demonstrates your expertise. A well-handled Q&A session can showcase your expertise and knowledge on the topic. By providing accurate and thoughtful responses to questions, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field, further reinforcing your credibility and authority.

It provides you with a different perspective. Through the questions asked during a Q&A session, you can gain insights into your audience’s perspectives. This will help you understand the audience’s needs and plan future presentations or business strategies.

Real-Life Scenarios for Q&A Sessions

Business Presentations. Q&A sessions are commonly used in business presentations , such as sales pitches and investor meetings. This allows you to address any concerns or objections of unconvinced prospects and help them arrive at a buying decision.

Training or Workshops. Q&A sessions are often included in training sessions or workshops, where participants may have questions about the material being taught or need further explanations. Q&A sessions can foster active participation, encourage learning, and provide opportunities for participants to seek clarification on concepts or practical applications.

Public Speaking Engagements. Q&A sessions are often included in public speaking engagements, such as conferences, seminars, and webinars. In these scenarios, the Q&A session allows the speaker to interact with the audience, address their concerns, and provide additional information.

Town Hall Meetings. Q&A sessions are often included in town hall meetings or open forums, where employees or stakeholders can ask questions to leadership or management. This allows for transparency, communication, and engagement with the audience, addressing their concerns or feedback.

A question and answer (Q&A) session can be helpful in various business scenarios, but it’s not mandatory for every presentation. Consider the nature of your presentation (is it complex?) and your audience’s needs and time constraints.

How to Prepare for a Q&A Session

Identify Potential Questions That May Come Up

The groundwork you do for your presentation, such as doing the research and preparing the PowerPoint template , pretty much prepares you for the potential questions that may arise during the big day.

In the planning phase of your presentation, you conduct research and gather relevant information on your topic. This includes identifying key points, data, statistics, and references you will present. Assuming that you don’t skip any of the background work, you’re on your way to answering questions confidently during the Q&A session.

Of course, you also have to consider the background of your audience. What are their demographics or their level of familiarity with the topic? This understanding will help you anticipate their questions and tailor responses that resonate with their perspective.

Establish Clear Guidelines for Questions

It is important to set ground rules on how you would like to address questions to ensure a smooth-sailing presentation. At the beginning of your talk, discuss the flow of your presentation, including when you’ll be entertaining queries from the audience.

If you want them to keep their questions at the end of the discussion, say so and allocate an ample time for Q&A. You should also establish clear guidelines on how they should ask their questions (e.g., raise their hand, submit in writing).

Some presenters would specify topics or areas they are willing to discuss. However, it is dangerous to come across as controlling or restrictive and may negatively impact the dynamics of the presentation.

In a sales pitch , for example, the goal of a Q&A is to build rapport and trust with the prospects. Dictating what questions they can ask may not align with the principles of customer-centric selling.

Encourage Pre-Session Questions

Encourage attendees to submit questions beforehand through email, a designated online platform, or in person. Doing so will provide you with valuable insights into your audience’s specific needs and expectations. It will also help you proactively address their concerns during your presentation without waiting for the Q&A segment.

Collect Questions During the Presentation

Attendees may forget their questions if they have to hold onto them until the Q&A session. Instead of saving all the questions for the end of the presentation , you can actively encourage the audience to submit questions during the presentation itself.

There are several ways to collect questions throughout the presentation. One common approach is to use a live chat or Q&A feature in virtual presentation platforms.

Another approach is to use audience response systems or polling tools, such as Mentimeter, Slido, or Poll Everywhere, allowing the audience to submit or vote on existing questions during the presentation.

The presenter or moderator can then periodically review the incoming questions and pick the most relevant to address in the Q&A.

Best Moderation Practices During Q&As

Choose the Right Time to Open the Floor to Questions

If your presentation is interactive and encourages audience participation, you can pause at certain points and invite questions from the audience. This approach can help keep the audience engaged and address immediate clarifications or concerns.

On the other hand, if you dedicated time to questions at the end of the presentation, you can announce when the Q&A portion began. A Q&A slide in the background may also help to set the mood. 

Listen to the Whole Question

When moderating a Q&A, listening to the whole question actively is important. If you interrupt the participant before they finish their question, you risk misinterpreting them and missing important details. Jumping to conclusions or assumptions can lead to inaccurate or incomplete responses and may not fully address the participant’s concern.

The best practice is to give your undivided attention to the participant delivering the question and pause to come up with a thoughtful answer. This will also allow you to seek clarification to complex or ambiguous questions.

Keep Responses Succinct and On-topic

When addressing a question, keep it focused and brief. Avoid long-winded explanations or excessive details that go beyond the scope of the query.

The technique here is to structure your response in a logical and organized manner. For instance, you can start by restating the question, followed by your key points and some tangible examples.

Afterward, return to the questionnaire and ask if you can address their concern.

Redirect Irrelevant or Inappropriate Questions

It’s not new to encounter questions from the left field during Q&As. As the presenter, you can refuse to answer irrelevant questions.

However, if you think the questioner is genuinely curious, you may seek clarification to understand their perspective better. You may say along the lines of, “That’s an interesting question. Could you please provide more context or clarify how it relates to our current topic?”

If you still find the question irrelevant, you can politely decline to answer it. You can say, “Thank you for your question, but it seems unrelated to our presentation’s topic.”

Regardless of how you respond, it’s important to maintain professionalism and avoid being dismissive or confrontational.

Dealing With Aggressive or Hostile Participants During Q&As

Sometimes, one audience member will aggressively shoot up their hands to criticize and attack your presentation. And often, you cannot dismiss them. Remember, you must control this situation while still being diplomatic, no matter how tempting it is to push back aggressively.

A good tip from psychology professor Susan Fiske is to focus on what they’re saying rather than how they’re saying it. Avoid getting defensive or reacting emotionally to their tone, as it may escalate the situation.

When addressing their concern, start setting the common ground – mention where you agree. For example, you could say, “I appreciate your perspective on this issue, and I agree that…”

Let’s use this in a mock-up scenario.

Audience member: “I don’t think your marketing strategy will be effective; it’s too costly and doesn’t align with our target audience.”

Thank you for sharing your perspective. I appreciate your input on this issue, and I agree that cost-effectiveness and alignment with our target audience are critical considerations in our marketing strategy. The proposed strategy is based on market trends and consumer behavior data and has the potential to yield positive results. We value your input in helping us optimize our strategy, and I would be happy to discuss this further.

By actively acknowledging and expressing agreement, the speaker made the unconvinced audience feel heard while reassuring them that the marketing strategy had been carefully planned.

A Q&A session is important because it provides clarification, allows presenters to address audience concerns, demonstrates expertise, and provides insights into audience perspectives. It enhances engagement and ensures that the audience’s understanding aligns with the presentation’s objectives.

Q&A sessions are commonly used in business presentations, training or workshops, public speaking engagements, and town hall meetings. They serve different purposes, such as addressing concerns, fostering learning, and providing opportunities for feedback.

To prepare for a Q&A session, anticipate potential questions by researching your topic thoroughly and understanding your audience’s background. Establish clear guidelines for when and how questions will be taken, encourage pre-session questions, and collect questions during the presentation to address them effectively.

Best practices for moderating Q&A sessions include choosing the right time to open the floor to questions, listening to the whole question before responding, keeping responses succinct and on-topic, and redirecting irrelevant or inappropriate questions.

When dealing with aggressive or hostile participants, focus on what they are saying rather than their tone. Avoid getting defensive or reacting emotionally. Instead, acknowledge their concerns, express agreement where possible, and respond diplomatically to maintain a respectful dialogue.

Yes, you can refuse to answer irrelevant questions. Politely redirect the conversation back to the topic by saying something like, “Thank you for your question, but it seems unrelated to our presentation’s topic.” Ensure you remain professional and avoid being dismissive.

Questions can be collected during a presentation using live chat or Q&A features on virtual presentation platforms or audience response systems and polling tools like Mentimeter, Slido, or Poll Everywhere. These tools allow the audience to submit or vote on questions in real time.

Encouraging pre-session questions allows you to gain insights into your audience’s needs and expectations, helping you prepare better and proactively address their concerns during your presentation.

If a question requires a lengthy response, provide a brief answer and offer to discuss it further after the presentation or in a follow-up. This ensures that the Q&A session remains concise and on-topic without deviating from the overall flow of the presentation.

To ensure a smooth Q&A session, set clear guidelines on how questions will be handled, manage the time allocated for questions, prioritize relevant queries, and maintain a professional tone throughout the session. Effective preparation and moderation skills are key to running a successful Q&A.

As you can see, a well-structured and effectively moderated question-and-answer (Q&A) session can greatly enhance the overall effectiveness of a presentation. By preparing for potential questions, setting clear guidelines, encouraging pre-session questions, and collecting questions during the presentation, you can be better equipped to handle questions from the audience.

Use the moderation tips we’ve provided in this article, so you can confidently navigate Q&A sessions and maintain your credibility with your audience.

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Presentation Skills Filed under Business

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