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.

Should I take questions during my presentation, or ask people to hold them until the end?

Your Speech Writer: “Wait until the end of the speech to take questions. This way the logic and flow of the speech won’t be interrupted.”

Your Director of Marketing: “Wait until the end. We want to make sure we get out all of our marketing points up front.”

You: “This is freaking me out! It’s all I can do to get through my presentation without people interrupting my training of thought. Of course we should hold all questions until the end. If people interrupt me, I might forget what is coming next in MY presentation.”

***

Your Audience: “With all due respect, it’s not YOUR presentation, it’s OUR presentation. We aren’t likely to remember our questions if we have to wait half an hour. Who do you think you are, the Queen of England? How can we focus on what you are saying now if we don’t understand something you said a minute ago and you didn’t let us ask questions? Here is the one thing you know about us audience members: if we are asking you a question that means we are not falling asleep or reading emails at that moment. Isn’t that a condition you’d like us to stay in as often as possible during your presentation?”