The final thing you need to do is take control at the end of the Q&A session. Here are 3 techniques that will help you do this smoothly:
1. Check
2. Invite
3. Close
1. Check
You will demonstrate a lot of confidence by sometimes going back to an audience member to check that they were satisfied with your reply to their question. Say something like:
Did that answer your question?
Was that answer OK for you?
Did I answer your question?
2. Invite
Invite last questions with open body language, eye contact and leaving 5 to 10 seconds between each of the following phrases:
Any questions?
Any more questions?
Any final questions?
3. Close
When there has been no response to your call for final questions, you can close confidently by saying:
OK, if there are no more questions, thank you very much.
If you are in a situation where time is limited for Q&A, then with a couple of minutes remaining invite a last question with:
I’m afraid we only have time for one final question.
Then end the session with:
Well, time is up I’m afraid, but thank you so much for this opportunity to talk to you today.
