It was probably a fully written-out transcript that you read out loud to your classmates and teacher while holding a picture of your bunny, Thumper. Are we right? Well, in this article we will teach you how to forget that old-school method, just in case you need a hand with that!
Interactive Overview.
No doubt your teacher gave you the feedback to write down topics and keywords so that your presentation feels more natural. Well, the next step to make your presentation ‘flow’, is to plan it in a non-linear way. Start your presentation by giving the audience a quick teaser on each topic, and ask for their feedback: what would they like to learn more about? This way, your presentation could start with topic #5 and end with topic #2. Depending on the interests of your audience. This interactive overview is provided by a tool we like: Prezi Business.
Engage!
But how do you ask questions during a presentation? It’s easy when you are presenting in a boardroom for five people, but what about 200? Here’s one question you never want to ask: “Could everyone please put their cellphone’s and mobile devices away?” It’s 2017. Nobody will believe it will interfere with your technical equipment. Besides, those phones are your gateway to an even larger crowd online.
Use Those Cell Phones
Instead, you should use them to your advantage. With apps like Directpoll or Poll Everywhere you can give a large audience the option to choose which topic you will be speaking about at the beginning of your presentation. By creating polls, you can get people’s opinion and interact. An added value: you can learn from the statistics you get out of it. Just like in a good conversation, both parties will gain knowledge.
Are There Any Questions?
If you ask people if they have any questions, you could get just ANY question. But as the conversation leader, it’s your job to get people to stick to the subject. So, set boundaries. For example, by asking: “Are there any questions about the product benefits I just provided?”
Once you’ve received a question; rephrase it. This way, the person posing the question feels validated and everybody in the room can hear it. It also gives you an opportunity to reframe the question into a more comfortable one to answer. When you get the question: “Why are you guys so expensive?” you can repeat in your own words: “So you want to know more about the value we offer?”
Master Your Answers
If you want to fully master the Q&A game, make sure your answers are structured. You could use the A.D.D. structure:
Answer the question clearly. Give a
Detailed example of the answer. And
Describe what the benefits are for the person who asked the question.
By adding this structure to your answer, the person asking a question will receive more than just an answer and will be less likely to keep on asking additional questions.
