“I’m an advocate for Q&A. It allows you the opportunity to add anything you missed during the talk and to interact directly with your audience. But you have to be on your toes! You never know what questions you’ll receive in advance!”

—Eric O’Neill 

Cybersecurity Expert and Legendary FBI Operative Featured in the Film Breach

The Question and Answer (or Q&A) portion of keynote speaking is often overlooked. However, it can be the most vital and interesting part of a keynote. This interactive portion of the presentation allows the audience to participate and learn more about the speaker and their ideas.

Most people think of Q&As as something that happens in the last ten to fifteen minutes after a presentation. The speaker or emcee opens up the floor to questions from the audience. Sometimes, people shout questions. Other times, a microphone is handed out.

However, there are several types of Q&A to consider when doing an event and different times you can do them.

4 Types of Q&A

1) Keynote Speaker Q&A

A regular Q&A session is a time set aside (usually at the end) during a keynote or presentation in which the speaker answers questions asked directly by any audience member. Sometimes, it is overseen by the emcee of the event or handled directly by the speaker.

2) Virtual (Zoom) Q&A

Zoom or virtual events could have a Q&A at the end. Questions can be spoken or written in the chat. Sometimes, virtual events have a continuing Q&A, with a moderator or emcee feeding questions from the audience to the speaker.

3) Moderated Q&A

A moderated Q&A (sometimes called a fireside chat) is a discussion in which a moderator or emcee asks a guest speaker questions that are prepared in advance. There is no presentation.

The questions are often crafted to the interests of the audience and drive the entire discussion. 

For example, a moderator might ask a celebrity, like Bethenny Frankel, about their charity work or ask a former CEO, like Marc Randolph, about their approach to business culture. Unlike a regular Q&A, the discussion takes place only between the moderator and the expert. The audience watches—but does not participate—in the discussion.

4) Panel Q&A

Similar to the moderated Q&A, the panel event is a discussion with no presentation. The majority of the time, an emcee will ask prepared questions for several experts to discuss. 

When to do a Q&A

A typical Q&A comes after a presentation. However, a Q&A can happen anytime—beginning, middle, end, or continuously.

1) Beginning of Talk

You could start by asking questions, either by having people submit them before the talk or by chatting directly with the audience, and then craft the presentation to address what the audience wants to know.

2) Middle

Some speakers open up their talk to questions halfway through. For example, Bill Benjamin breaks his talk into presentations, practice, and questions. This is a great way to check for understanding in your audience and get them more engaged. 

3) Penultimate act

Instead of ending with the Q&A, end with a wrap-up of the Q&A. Take questions when the main presentation is done, then tie everything together for the audience and leave on a high note.

4) End of talk

Or, you can end with a Q&A. Just remember, when planning your keynote, make sure to allow enough time for your Q&A. Typical Q&As last about fifteen minutes.

5) Continuous (Virtual or Zoom)

Finally, the virtual event allows the possibility of a continuous Q&A that allows you to shape your presentation to the interests of the audience, going in-depth on topics or skipping topics altogether.

However you choose to do your Q&A, make sure you plan for it so it fits in naturally to your presentation, and there is enough time to answer questions.

For more about Q&As, read

Moderated Sessions Are Better Than Keynote Déjà Vu

How to Create an Experiential Event

Three Reasons Why You Need a Skilled Master of Ceremonies

35 Things You Can Do To Give Better and More Memorable Speeches