Transcript

The biggest mistake that people make when answering questions is not pausing before you answer the question. By just having a short pause before you answer a question, you’ll establish more credibility with your audience, they’ll consider you more thoughtful and more respectful, and it will also give you a second or two to think about what you want to say. Now the amount of pause is dependent on the question. You don’t have to have a long one. A short one will work. However, if you’re asked a very simple question like, “How long have you been in business,” … “Hm [pause] seven years.” That pause is obviously too long. So gauge the amount of that pause based on the complexity of the question. This pause is so powerful I want to give you a quick little demonstration of it right now.

Someone here ask me a question. Ask me a question now. Go ahead. 

(Off camera female voice) Question: What previous experience do you and your cofounder have in this industry?

In this industry, my cofounder and I have ten years blah, blah, blah. Go ahead and ask me that question again, please. 

(Off camera female voice) Question: What previous experience do you and your cofounder have in this industry?

My cofounder and I have ten years of experience in this industry and blah, blah, blah. So did you notice the difference there? Of course you did. I paused in the second example. If you see the difference right there, you’ll know that by adding that little bit of a pause you will see a difference in how people respond to you as a speaker, especially during that Q&A.