March 25, 2025

193. Conquer Questions: ADDing Value To Your Answers

14 minutes

Turn Q&A from nerve-wracking to confidence-boosting with strategies for clear, controlled answers.

A great presentation doesn’t end with the final slide—it continues through the Q&A, where real engagement happens. Yet, for many speakers, this is the most nerve-wracking part. In this episode, Matt Abrahams explores why Q&A can feel intimidating and how shifting your mindset can turn it into an opportunity rather than a challenge. Drawing from his book, Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, he shares expert-backed techniques for structuring responses, managing audience expectations, and maintaining composure under pressure. Whether you're facing a tough crowd or just want to refine your speaking skills, you’ll walk away with the confidence to command the room—no matter the question.

Episode Reference Links:

Speaking Up Without Freaking Out | Audio Book
Speaking Up Without Freaking Out

Connect:

Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction

(02:43) - The Challenge of Q&A

(03:41) - Preparing for Q&A in Advance

(04:21) - When to Take Questions

(05:10) - How to Ask for Questions Effectively

(06:13) - Audience Anxiety in Q&A

(07:28) - Managing Questions Efficiently

(08:29) - Answering Questions with Confidence

(09:42) - The ADD Method for Answering Questions

(10:55) - Closing Your Q&A with Impact

(11:49) - Conclusion

********
Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

...more