Lessons
Become an Engaging Presenter
1Class Introduction
01:57 2Engage Your Audience Right Away
08:13 3Why Presentations Miss the Mark
03:49 4Tips for Effective Communication
22:04 5Break Down Audience Barriers
04:16 6Stories vs. Statistics
08:44 7Build Your Presentation
05:10Lesson Info
What's a Q&A Session?
Have all of you run a Q&A session? Be the leader. You're gonna have this a lot in your Q&A session, a hidden agenda. You're gonna have somebody who's really getting up there and doesn't know how to ask a question. I've been in a lot of Q&A session where someone stands up and they literally tell their story before they get to the question. And you might have limited time, so you need to run that Q&A session like you run your presentation. Let the audience know how it's gonna run. I'm gonna take a question one at a time. I'll point to you. Get the microphone. And prepare. I wrote down questions that people might have. So write down those questions and be able to answer them. I answer them out loud, just like I would an interview question. Because if you don't, here's what happens with a lot of people I train in interviewing. They don't answer those questions out loud, so in the interview they start answering questions, and they're like, I can't believe those words just ca...
me out of my mouth. What am I saying? So if you practice it, now you're comfortable in the language you're using when you start answering questions. And you have to be able to listen. Chris, ask me a question. Well, Andy-- That's a great question, Chris, right? We do that all the time, 'cause we get involved and we think that's it. Thank you. So here's the thing. Listen to the question. Take a breath in. Here's another one. Chris, actually ask me a real, a question. I won't cut you off. Okay. What do you do when you're so nervous that your hands are really shaky? That's a great question, and I see that a lot, right? People go, "That's a great question." But what happens if somebody asks me a question after that, and I don't say, "That's a great question"? Is theirs not as good as Chris's? Chris, that was a pretty good question. You'll have to watch the class, because I talked about hand gestures in the beginning of the class. Oh yeah, I was not paying attention. So here's the thing. (audience member speaks indistinctly) I don't love that. Why do we say, "That's a great question"? We do it because it gives us a moment to collect our thoughts and answer the question. It's also a way to validate the person asking the question. I can go, "Great question, you're amazing. "Thank you so much." But what happens when we actually ask a question? Taking a moment to answer that question and take a breath in allows me to think about it and answer. I don't have to say anything right away. Or I can say to Chris, "What you're talking about, "is your question, you want to know what to do "with my hand gestures when I'm presenting," to verify that that's the question he has. And also to make sure the rest of the audience, especially if we're in a large audience, got the question. It's as effective. I might make a response to it that's fun. But it's a way to get people engaged. That's much better than, "That's a great question." 'Cause you'll have to do that over and over again. The best way to end your Q&A session, "I'm gonna take one more question." But then literally take one more question. I've been in Q&A sessions where they go, "One more!" And then six later, so I might as well still go like this, 'cause I know you've not followed your own rule. So one more question, and then thank everybody. What about the hard questions? I don't know everything. So what if you give me a question and I'm like, "Uh..."? I don't have to make something up on the spot. I need to be honest and authentic with you. So I might say to you, "I have no idea, but come see me "after this presentation, so that I can follow up with you, "and we'll find that answer." If I have a ton of people asking questions, and I know timing is off, I'm gonna literally say, "I'm gonna stay for 15 minutes after this presentation. "Come see me." So there are ways for you to follow that. I also have people who go, "I have three questions. "Question A," right? So it's okay to say, "Listen, we only have time for one, "but maybe we'll come back to you." 'Cause I'm the leader. There are also people who would need to be guided in how they ask the question. So it's okay to say, professionally, "I don't know if you're being really clear. "I want to make sure I understand your question. "Let's go back. "Tell me what your question is and then we can talk about "your life story and where you were born "and all those other things." So ask those questions. And then end it, and be done.
Class Materials
Bonus Materials with Purchase
Ratings and Reviews
NeeLee
This is my second time as an audience member for Creative Live, and I have to tell you all - I'm hooked! I decided to give it a shot because I'm genuinely interested in the subject being covered, it is a wonderful networking opportunity, and its free for audience members - so I receive the course and the bonus materials. For those of you that are nervous about the cameras like I was, let me assure you that you hardly even notice them. If you ever watched a few courses before becoming an audience member, you can tell how little the audience is even shown. Now as for Mr. Whelan - CL couldn't have picked a better presenter to present about presentations. His knowledge and experience reflects in his presentation - he's warm, personable, and if he did rehearse and prepare the way he recommends, it's not noticeable. He's natural and you can relate to every point made. I hope there are other Andrew Whelan courses in the future. I highly recommend CL - as a participant and an audience member - for their variety of course content and bonus materials that I continue to use in my day-to-day. I strongly recommend any class or workshop that includes Andrew Whelan. His advice, experience, and genuine empathetic approach to helping others become better, is invaluable. Thank you Andrew and Thank you Creative Live!
Carolyn Winslow
Thank you! You gave me some fresh ideas to share when I am presenting, and when I'm helping folks be more comfortable when they need to speak in front of others. Good examples, to the point without fluff, and even a bit entertaining. Thanks!
Jack Foxe
This was my first live audience experience, and wow was i shocked how engaged i was! Im someone who has an awful attention span so the fact that i was listening and taking everything in was fantastic. Thanks Andrew for some great tips and making me laugh and thanks to Creative Live for having me in the audience. If anyone who interacts with other people on a regular basis this class is essential!