How to Deal With Interruptions in Public Speaking

Whether you're delivering a standup comedy routine, an educational lecture or a presentation for business colleagues, you may encounter someone who continually interrupts you to ask questions, talk to others or even heckle you. Deal with interruptions when you're speaking in public with these strategies.

Instructions

1. Make eye contact with the person interrupting you and hold it for a few minutes as you continue your speech. They may back down once they realize their tactics won't intimidate you.

2. Offer a brief or witty comment to deal with someone who shouted something, yawned loudly or has been grumbling throughout your speech. Keep your retort lighthearted and funny rather than pointed and cruel. Taking the high road will make them look foolish, but you'll be the one the public dislikes if you respond in a vicious way.

3. Pause to address a co-worker who's passing notes, repeatedly shaking her head or whispering to your boss as you lead a meeting. Say something like, "I'd be happy to discuss your ideas in depth after the meeting," then continue your discussion. Remember that the way she's acting will have more of a negative impact on her reputation than yours.

4. Invite the person onstage if you're speaking in an informal setting. Asking a rude person to deliver a joke will either satisfy his need for attention or make him too shy to interrupt you anymore. Unless you've done something offensive, the audience will typically side with you over the heckler.

5. Say that you have a lot of ground to cover in a short amount of time and that you'll be available after the speech for one-on-one discussions if someone is constantly interrupting you to ask sincere questions.

6. Put moderators or security on alert if you know you'll be discussing a controversial topic that will attract hecklers. This way they'll be ready to deal with disruptive audience members and ask them to leave as soon as they start trouble.