BY TJ Walker



Is it OK to ask questions of audience members?

The following comes from TJ Walker’s upcoming book “The Wisdom of Your Audience”. Consistently, the worst advice speakers and presenters get, comes from everyone who is NOT your audience. The following gives examples of some of the WORST advice people are often given. It is followed by the advice of your audience. Listen to them. They are your true judge and jury.

Is it OK to ask questions of audience members?

BAD ADVICE:

Your Corporate Communications Director: “Why on Earth would you want to do that?”

Your Marketing Director: “Too risky, what if they say something that contradicts our policies? Besides, there is no time for this foolishness.”

Your College Speech Coach: “You are there to provide your expertise, not lead a discussion. Don’t ask questions of your audience.”

You: “It seems a little scary asking audience members questions. What if they say something I wasn’t expecting or that contradicts what I’ve said earlier? I’ll look like a fool!”

***

GOOD ADVICE:

Your Audience: “We thought you’d never ask. Sure, it would be nice if someone actually cared about what we thought for a change. As long as you don’t get annoyed at us for our answers and if you cut us slack if we can’t come up with an answer, then it’s OK to ask us questions. Questions can spice things up a little because it can get a little boring just listening to you. The one thing you know is that if we are answering your question during the middle of your speech, we aren’t sleeping, daydreaming or playing with our Blackberries.”

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Publisher: TJ Walker
Managing Editor: Jess Todtfeld
Creative Director : Kris Gentile

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