Whew! Your presentation is over. After your closing slide, you're ready to exhale except for one thing... you still have to face Q&A.

Most people dread the question and answer period. It's anxiety-provoking because you don't know what to expect. What if someone asks a question that you can't answer? What if someone baits you with an antagonistic comment or shoots you down?

I believe Q&A is an opportunity to reinforce your message and let your credibility shine. It's also a time to clear up misunderstandings and gain feedback on how your message was received. Here are 10 quick tips to use Q&A to your advantage:

1. Keep your answer brief. The more you talk, the more likely you are to get caught up in your underwear and say something you'll regret. Sometimes the questioner is more interested in how you handle yourself than in what you actually say, so keep your answers brief and meaty.

2. Don't answer too quickly. Let the questioner state his or her question completely. Make sure you understand their true concern. Pause, think, and let it breathe before you respond.

3. Limit an individual's follow-up questions to just one or two at a time. Otherwise, you can end up in a dialogue with that one person, ignoring the rest of the group. If somebody in the group tries to hijack your presentation with excessive questioning, tell them that you will be happy to continue the conversation later, and then move forward to other people's feedback.

4. Don't bluff. Anything other than honesty invites trouble. If you don't know the answer, say so and offer to get back to them by a certain date and time. If the answer is damaging to your case, position it as a small issue or re-frame the question so you can answer it in a more positive way. But don't lie.

5. Not all negative comments or questions are antagonistic. People may voice concerns because they sincerely want you to be aware of another point of view. Questions, comments, and objections are often a sign of interest in your message.

6. Pre-empt hot button criticism. Frontload with a specific example of how your viewpoint trumps the criticism. You'll take the wind out of the sails of anyone who might want to be the featured fault-finder.

7. Defuse anger or hostility with a light touch. Resist the temptation to answer with sarcasm because that approach can alienate people.

8. After answering all questions, make a closing statement. Don't simply peter out after the last question with, "Well, if there's nothing else, thanks for coming." Summarize and conclude with a call to action.

9. Bridge back to your key points. It's an old media interview trick - the best and brightest don't simply answer questions. They use questions as a jumping off point to reinforce their most important talking points. Grab the opportunity to reinforce what you want them to remember most.

10. Use Q&A as instant feedback. Questions provides a chance to clear up confusion, while also showing your depth of knowledge. Audience questions are clues to help tweak your presentation and make it even better the next time.