Have you ever been interrupted in your presentations by an audience question? The question may or may not be Germaine to your presentation topic

Dealing with presentation interruptions and topic detours can be challenging, but effective strategies exist to manage them. Below are three things you can do:

Set Clear Guidelines at the Start

Begin your presentation by outlining how you’d like to handle questions, discussions, and “housekeeping” items such as cell phones and laptop computers.

For example, you could designate specific times for Q&A or ask participants to jot down their questions to address later. I build extra time in my presentations to take questions during my presentation and the Q&A period at the end. I do this for a couple of reasons.

There is a limited time for Q&A at the end. There is a good chance there won’t be time for a particular audience member to ask their question. Addressing the question when it comes up in your presentation assures the question will be addressed.

When I allow audience questions during my presentation, the question will be about what I am presenting, so the question context is preserved. Suppose I only take questions during the Q&A period. In that case, the audience will have to refocus their attention on the context, which will take longer than addressing the question during my presentation.

In the interest of time, ensure you tell your audience that if our exchange when they ask a question gets long, you may have to table the question until the break.

Tell your audience to silence their cell phones or turn them off. They should not take calls during your presentation.

Some audience members will have their laptop computers open. Student often take notes on their laptops. The “other side of the coin” is you don’t know what they are doing on their laptops. This is something you will just have to live with.

So, the first strategy to deal with presentation interruptions and topic detours is to set clear guidelines at the start.

The second strategy is to stay focused on your topic and redirect.

Stay Focused and Redirect

When interrupted, take a moment to acknowledge the interruption without losing your train of thought. Repeat or summarize the interruption to ensure understanding, which helps you regain focus.

You may get audience questions that veer widely from your topic. The correct response to a question like this is to tell the questioner the question is not exactly on topic, but they can see you at the break or after your presentation to discuss it.

Prepare transition phrases to steer the conversation back to your main points smoothly. For example, you might say, “That’s an interesting point; let’s explore that at the break. As I was saying…” This helps refocus both you and your audience.

This shows you value their contribution while maintaining control of the presentation flow. You should always show your audience that their questions and answers to your questions are valid and valued.

Use techniques to keep yourself grounded, such as taking a deep breath or briefly pausing. This can help you collect your thoughts and refocus your energy on your presentation.

So, to deal with presentation interruptions and topic detours, set clear guidelines at the start, stay focused on your topic, and redirect.

A final strategy to deal with presentation interruptions and topic detours is to prepare for common distractions.

Prepare for Common Distractions

Anticipate potential interruptions or topic detours by preparing responses or transitions to help bring the discussion back on track.

Prepare key transition phrases and responses in advance to anticipate interruptions during your presentation. For example, you could say, “That’s a great question; I’ll address that in a moment,” or use summary statements like, “Let’s circle back to our main topic.”

This keeps the discussion focused and allows you to steer the conversation back to your main points smoothly.

If you know specific topics might arise, have a brief statement ready to address them succinctly and pivot back to your agenda.

Identify potential topics by considering audience interests and common questions. Prepare concise statements acknowledging these points, like, “That’s an important aspect; however, let’s focus on our main agenda for now,” to pivot back to your presentation smoothly.

Presentation interruptions and topic detours don’t have to derail your presentations.

Implement the following strategies to address interruptions to and topic detours from your presentation: (1) set clear guidelines at the start, (2) stay focused and redirect, and (3) prepare for common distractions.

By implementing these strategies, you can maintain a more organized and effective presentation!

Call to Action

• Set guidelines at the start of your presentation, such as when you will accept questions, tell your audience to silence or turn off cell phones, and request your audience take only notes on their laptops and nothing else.

• Anticipate you will have questions that may be off-topic from your presentation; have planned responses for these questions.

• Anticipate potential interruptions or detours by preparing responses or transitions that can help bring the discussion back on track.

Being a confident, engaging, and effective technical speaker is a vital personal and professional asset. With more than 40 years of engineering experience and more than 30 years of award-winning public speaking experience, I can help you reduce your presentation preparatory time by 50%, overcome your fear of public speaking and be completely at ease, deliver your presentations effectively, develop your personal presence with your audience; and apply an innovative way to handle audience questions deftly.

Working closely with you, I provide a customized protocol employing the critical skills and tools you need to create, practice, and deliver excellent technical speeches and presentations. Let’s connect and explore how I can help you become the exceptional speaker you were meant to be. Please reach out to me at frank@speakleadandsucceed.com or 703-509-4424 for a complimentary consultation. Schedule a meeting with me at calendly.com/frankdibartolomeospeaks. Listen to my Successful Speaking for Technical Professionals podcast