When someone invites me to be the lecturer at their conference, they usually get a list of questions from me first. Questions that help me prepare myself for the lecture and to create the unique experience for the audience.
At first, these questions cause panic and fear among the organizers, but they soon realize these questions can help them prepare themselves better for the organization of the conference.
Questions from the audience can be the highlight of a lecture, or at least the moment a speaker realizes they haven’t been talking to themselves. But the way those questions are asked can change the entire tone of a presentation.
That’s why one of the questions I always send to organizers is: How will the audience ask questions?
Questions – from both speaker and audience perspective
Let me confess something right away: I love asking questions at conferences. So much so that I’ve been invited to events precisely because I ask good questions. I was even once invited to a small conference in Venice where my “ticket fee” was – asking questions after each talk.
In the photo below, from the AllWeb conference, the organizer even made me the “temporary moderator,” so that after Steen Rasmussen’s brilliant lecture, he’d get a follow-up from someone who actually understood what he was talking about.
When I break the ice, others often feel encouraged to ask better questions than mine. 🙂
But honestly? Sometimes I ask questions even when I know the answer. Why?
Because sometimes a speaker skips over important context or terminology. We all do it, we get excited on stage and forget the details. Or perhaps something was explained in a way that’s clear to me, but likely not to the audience with less background in the topic.
For example, if a speaker keeps referring to Active Users during a presentation, but does so in a way that might lead the audience to believe they mean Total Users, it’s worth clarifying.
So I ask a question not to learn something, but to give the speaker an opportunity to clarify it. This makes their talk even better and the audience appreciates it more, because now they get it.
These types of questions (and answers!) often make the difference between an average and a great lecture.
Introverts and Slido, extroverts and the mic
Recently, apps like Slido (or similar) have become increasingly popular, allowing people to post questions anonymously during in-person or online events. This is excellent for introverted audiences who may not want to speak up in front of 100+ people but still have great questions.
However, if those questions are read aloud by someone who’s a great host but not familiar with the topic, things can get tricky. Mispronounced terms, awkward interpretations, or even “I don’t get this one, let’s skip it” can ruin a good moment, especially when the question was the most important one.
That’s why I like to know:
- Who’s reading the Slido questions aloud?
- Do they understand the topic?
- Is it the moderator, someone from the audience, the organizer – or even me?
Mics in the audience and timing
If roaming mics are used in the audience, great! But I still need to know:
- How many microphones are there?
- Who’s coordinating them?
- Is there enough time in the schedule for people to actually speak?
If that’s not well managed, one person asks a question, while five others never get the chance. That frustrates both the audience and the speaker.
And then there are logistics:
- Will questions be taken during the lecture or only at the end?
- Is there dedicated time for Q&A?
- Will the moderator have a few backup questions ready if no one asks anything?
Cultural differences: London vs. Kyiv
Let’s not forget cultural differences.
In places like London, Berlin or Copenhagen, people can’t wait to ask questions. But sometimes the opposite happens; I expect an open, curious crowd and I’m met with silence.
That happened once in the Netherlands where everyone listened attentively, but no one had a question. Afterward, they’d approach during the break and say, “Great talk!”, and vanish without asking anything?!?
This is why I always ask organizers about what they expect from their audience: Are they passive, active, or just shy? Will they raise hands, shout questions from their seat, or continue the debate in the hallway? Will lunch be delayed because the discussion is too good to stop? That’s typical of individualist cultures.
In collectivist cultures, or societies that used to be more hierarchical, like many in Eastern Europe, people tend to be more mindful of others. For example, they won’t ask questions just before lunch so others don’t miss their meal. They also avoid standing out too much, because in some cultures, it’s seen as impolite. Ever seen an American who think they’re impolite by asking questions? Yeah, me neither 🙂
When I was invited to give a talk at an eCommerce conference in Kyiv, I knew I should expect a quiet crowd. So I went ahead and slightly overran my talk. No one asked anything during the session, but then I stepped outside and spent an hour answering amazing questions in the hallway.
They just didn’t want to ask publicly, but they had plenty to say.
That experience is unforgettable. And it’s a reminder: silence in the room doesn’t mean disinterest.
That’s why I always want to know: what is your audience like?
What do I need to know as a speaker?
When the organizer answers my question “How will the audience ask questions?”, they’re actually telling me much more:
- Is the audience used to asking questions?
- How will we enable them to speak up?
- Can we go beyond the typical monologue format?
All of this matters because audience questions are not a distraction. These questions are a continuation of the lecture, and often the biggest compliment a speaker can get.
Take a look at other questions for conference organizers, which help me prepare myself for the audience.
Also, if you want me to help you organize your event or to hire some great speakers, do no hesitate to contact me 🙂