In our last article, we discussed how in-program polling is being used to take presentations to another level by increasing audience engagement, reinforcing key messages and creating tailored programs based on audiences’ needs.

In this article, we will discuss another engagement tool, Question and Answer (Q+A) sessions, being used to deliver impactful and memorable presentations and how technology has taken this old school approach and revolutionized it into an engagement game changer for your speaker programs.

The Benefits of Q+A Sessions

Q+A sessions are a staple for any good presentation. The Q+A session is where the speaker’s full knowledge and expertise is on display. Responding with a clear and concise answer that appropriately addresses the question, improves their reputation and credibility as an authority on the subject and will increase the value of the presentation. Q+A sessions provide a multitude of benefits to both the speaker and the audience that really bring a presentation to another level.

Here are four reasons why you should look forward to the Q+A sessions:

1. The Q+A allows the presenter to open a dialogue with audience members. This is great for engagement because it allows audience members to have a conversation with the speaker and be an active participant in the presentation.
2. It gives the audience an opportunity to obtain a better understanding about topics that may have been unclear to them during the presentation. This drives home key messages and ensures audiences fully understood everything discussed in the presentation.
3. It allows audiences to interact with their peers. People are curious by nature and want to know their peers’ thoughts and attitudes. Q+A sessions allow for audiences to hear the opinions of their colleagues and gives them an opportunity to engage with them.
4. Finally, sometimes the example presented, or argument made during the presentation was not convincing to the audience. If this comes up during the Q+A session, it provides the presenter another opportunity to site other examples to help persuade audience opinion. 

A New Era of Q+A Sessions

Q+A sessions may have been around for decades; but with new technologies, this old approach has got a new look. With TL Health’s Q+A session software, audience members participate on their mobile device. This approach requires no handheld devices or special apps to download. In order to participate, attendees just send a text message or scan a QR code. Once on the platform, attendees can then type their questions/comments throughout the presentation. Other audience members can see what their peers have said and if they share a similar view or have the same question, they can actually vote for that question/comment, thus promoting it to the top of the Q+A list.

With this new approach, Q+A sessions become more engaging and valuable for audience members. For one, audience members can ask questions/comments throughout the entire presentation instead of waiting till the end. This is beneficial because sometimes we do not remember our question or after a certain amount of time has elapsed, we no longer feel it is necessary to ask.

Another benefit to this approach is the anonymity audience members have when asking their question/comment because although other audience members can see the questions/comments their peers asked, you do not know who asked the question. This is great for audience members who feel they might be asking a “dumb” question, or their question may be controversial. This, in turn, allows for greater discussions as audience members feel more comfortable sharing their true questions/comments.

Finally, this new approach helps speakers with time management. By utilizing the “voting” feature in the Q+A session, speakers can see what questions/concerns are most important to their audience and address them first. This is particularly beneficial if there is only a certain amount of time allotted for the Q+A session. With this approach, speakers can cover the questions most audience members have, making the session highly productive, even when there is a time constraint.

Conclusion

Q+A sessions are a great way for speakers to interact with their audiences and make sure they fully understand the material covered in their presentation. Although the concept is not new, TL Health’s approach to Q+A sessions is.

With technological advances, Q+A sessions get a face lift making them more productive, engaging, and beneficial for attendees. By utilizing this new form of Q+A sessions, speakers can deliver memorable and impactful presentations that truly resonate with their audiences and make them want to come back.