This [...]]]> Other people listening via phone, in person or online need protection from conversations that exclude them. This can be done with a basic communication skill called rephrasing and repeating the question. When you are speaking from the platform to an audience many of us should make a point to either repeat or rephrase any questions you receive.

This is important for several reasons.

• It helps to clarify your questioners intention and  your understanding.
• It allows anyone hearing a recording to hear the question asked by someone who did not have a mike.
• It gives you a chance to come up with the answer

Rephrasing the question will also give you a great opportunity to educate your other listeners. For example, if I ask an expert in SEO (Search  Engine Optimization) about keywords on a call or in a live session, there may be some people in the session who are clueless to what I am talking  about. Perhaps, the presenter just has not gotten to that part of the discussion.

What the presenter should do is rephrase the question and explain what the questioner means by the term “keywords”. If this is not done many in the session can become frustrated, intimidated or just plain mad.

Now believe it or not, this can happen it social networking platforms like Twitter. Take a look at this excellent post by Problogger, Darien Rowse on how Twitter exchanges can leave many followers  out of the loop. He also suggests the use of the powerful communication tool of rephrasing to close the gap.

What are your thoughts? Does this make any sense?