3 ms·

Don't take questions from the stage

• chrisbennet 10y ago
  This sounds like good advice if your goal is to make a good impression. As an attendee though, those aren't my goals. I want to hear questions from the audience and maybe ask them myself. I'm at the conference, in large part, because I the presenter is talking about something so new that I can't find it widely on the internet or because the presenter can explain it better in person. In those cases questions make a big difference.
  • gregorymichael 10y ago
    Is it safe to say that you feel like those folks wouldn't ask those questions in the hallway afterwards, or that you wouldn't follow the speaker out there to hear them? If so, can understand why you'd want to hear them from the stage.
    • chrisbennet 10y ago
      It's not just that. The questions from the audience are often questions I didn't even think to ask but are very enlightening. The questions taken in the hallway won't necessarily be heard/overheard nor will the answers like they would when the presenter is in a space designed to make sure everyone hears. When a speaker takes questions from the audience, they are putting themselves out there. If you're selling something, sure stay on message and don't take questions. However, if you're teaching, you should take questions where everyone can hear the questions and answers so your "students" learn what you came to communicate.