How do you handle Q&A sessions and feedback after your TED talk?

1 Prepare for common questions

Before you go on stage, think about what questions you might get from the audience, and how you would answer them. You can research the topic, the event, and the audience to anticipate their interests, concerns, and objections. You can also prepare some stories, examples, and data to support your points. Having some prepared answers will help you feel more confident and avoid getting caught off guard.

2 Listen and engage

When you're answering questions, listen carefully and respectfully to what the audience is asking. Don't interrupt, dismiss, or argue with them. Instead, show that you appreciate their curiosity, feedback, and perspective. You can use phrases like "That's a great question", "Thank you for sharing that", or "I'm glad you brought that up" to acknowledge and engage them. You can also ask them to clarify or elaborate on their question if you're not sure what they mean.

3 Be concise and clear

When you're answering questions, try to be concise and clear. Don't ramble, repeat, or go off on tangents. Instead, focus on the main point of the question, and give a brief and relevant answer. You can use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answer with a clear example. You can also use simple and accessible language, avoid jargon and acronyms, and check for understanding by asking "Does that answer your question?"

5 Invite and collect feedback

After the Q&A session, you might want to invite and collect feedback from the audience. Feedback can help you improve your presentation skills, refine your message, and identify new opportunities. You can invite feedback by asking the audience to fill out a survey, leave a comment, or contact you via email or social media. You can also collect feedback by monitoring the online buzz, reading reviews and ratings, or asking for testimonials and referrals. Be open-minded and grateful for any feedback you receive, and use it to grow and learn.

6 Follow up and follow through

The last step to handle Q&A sessions and feedback after your TED talk is to follow up and follow through. This means staying in touch with your audience, building relationships, and delivering on your promises. You can follow up by sending a thank-you note, sharing additional resources, or offering a free consultation or a discount. You can also follow through by implementing the feedback, updating your message, or creating new content based on the questions and comments you received. By following up and following through, you can show your audience that you care, value, and respect them, and that you're a credible and trustworthy speaker.