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- How to Deal With
a Hostile Audience
- (c) 1996 LJL Seminars
1. Listen carefully to the question & repeat it aloud -
Make sure you understood the question correctly & that
your audience knows the question to which you are
responding.
2. Answer directly. Look directly at the person asking
the question - Give simple answers to simple questions.
If the question demands a lengthy reply, agree to
discuss it later with anyone interested.
3. Refer to your Speech - Whenever possible, tie your
answer to a point in your speech. Look upon these
questions as a way to reinforce & clarify your
presentation.
4. Anticipate areas of questioning - Prepare factual
support material in three or four areas in which you
anticipate questions.
5. Be friendly, always keep your temper - A cool
presentation creates an aura of confidence. When the
questioner is hostile respond as if he or she were a
friend. Any attempt to "put down" your questioner with
sarcasim will immediately draw the audience's sympathy
to the questioner.
6. Always tell the truth - If you try to bend the truth,
you almost always will be caught. Play it straight, even
if your position is momentarily weakened.
7. Treat two questions from the same person as two
separate questions
8. Don't place your hands on your hips or point at the
audience - These are scolding poses and give you the
appearance of preaching.
9. Keep things moving - There is a rhythm to a good
question-and-answer exchange. They volley back & forth
in a brisk manner. Keep your answers brief and to the
point with many members of the audience participating.
10. Conclude smartly - Be prepared with some appropriate
closing remarks. End with a summary statement that wraps
up the essential message you want them to remember.
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- Lenny Laskowski
- Lenny Laskowski is an international professional speaker and the author
of the book, No Sweat Presentations - The Painless Way to Successful Speaking and several
other publications. Lenny is also available for hire to speak to your organization,
college or association. Lenny also provides in-house seminars and workshops. Why not
contact Lenny today for your next function or event. Lenny can be found at his Web site, http://www.ljlseminars.com/ or can be contacted by
email at the following address: Sales@LJLSeminars.com.
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