What are the most effective ways to handle questions during a pitch without losing credibility?

1 Know your audience

Before you start your pitch, do some research on who you are talking to and what they are looking for. What are their goals, pain points, interests, and expectations? What are their backgrounds, roles, and perspectives? What are their common questions, concerns, or objections? By knowing your audience, you can tailor your pitch to address their specific needs and interests, and anticipate the questions they are likely to ask. You can also use this information to build rapport, empathy, and trust with your audience, and show them that you understand their problems and solutions.

2 Prepare and practice

The best way to avoid getting caught off guard by questions is to prepare and practice your pitch in advance. Identify the key messages, benefits, and evidence that support your product idea, and craft a clear, concise, and compelling story. Think of the possible questions that your audience might ask, and prepare honest, relevant, and confident answers. You can also use tools like mock interviews, feedback sessions, or online platforms to test your pitch and get feedback from different perspectives. By preparing and practicing your pitch, you can improve your delivery, clarity, and credibility, and reduce your anxiety and uncertainty.

3 Listen and acknowledge

When you receive a question during your pitch, the first thing you should do is listen and acknowledge it. Don't interrupt, dismiss, or ignore the question, as this can make you seem rude, defensive, or unprofessional. Instead, show respect and appreciation for the question, and repeat or rephrase it to confirm your understanding. You can also use positive body language, eye contact, and tone of voice to convey your interest and engagement. By listening and acknowledging the question, you can show your audience that you value their input and feedback, and establish a positive and collaborative atmosphere.

4 Answer and explain

After you listen and acknowledge the question, the next thing you should do is answer and explain it. Don't evade, deflect, or lie about the question, as this can make you seem dishonest, insecure, or incompetent. Instead, provide a direct, concise, and relevant answer that addresses the main point of the question, and explain how it relates to your product idea, value proposition, or market fit. You can also use examples, stories, or data to support your answer and illustrate your point. By answering and explaining the question, you can show your audience that you have the knowledge, confidence, and evidence to back up your pitch.

5 Engage and involve

After you answer and explain the question, the last thing you should do is engage and involve your audience. Don't end the conversation, dominate the discussion, or move on too quickly, as this can make you seem arrogant, uninterested, or impatient. Instead, invite further questions, comments, or feedback from your audience, and encourage them to share their opinions, experiences, or suggestions. You can also use open-ended questions, polls, or quizzes to stimulate interaction and participation. By engaging and involving your audience, you can show them that you care about their needs and interests, and build a relationship and rapport with them.

6 Learn and improve

One of the most important things you can do after your pitch is to learn and improve from the questions you received. Don't ignore, forget, or dismiss the questions, as this can make you miss valuable insights, feedback, or opportunities. Instead, review and analyze the questions, and identify the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in your pitch. You can also follow up with your audience, and thank them for their questions, and provide additional information or clarification if needed. By learning and improving from the questions, you can enhance your product idea, value proposition, and market fit, and prepare for your next pitch.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?