Fortunately, the majority of your audience members will kind and respectful during your presentation.  But, every once in a while, you may encounter someone who will go out of their way to disrupt your session and distract you as you’re speaking.  Whether it’s someone acting in a confrontational or argumentative manner, joking during the delivery of serious content, or holding side conversations with other attendees, coming face to face with a heckler is sure to rattle even the most seasoned presenter.

Here are 5 proven ways to effectively deal with a heckler.

1. Prepare in Advance

The best way to combat a heckler is to beat him to the punch.  Review your presentation content, and try to anticipate the kinds of trick questions someone could ask, or the snide comments or jokes a person may have the opportunity to make.  Be sure to have a comeback or response ready – their inability to throw you off your game will hopefully be enough to silence them.

2. Keep Your Temper in Check

While the natural reaction will be to get angry or upset, do your best to stay calm and composed.  Seeing you lose your cool is exactly what the heckler wants, and if you do so, it may encourage him to keep at it.

3. Never Let Them Smell Fear

If a heckler detects even the slightest bit of nervousness, his behavior will certainly continue.  By remaining confident at all times, you’re demonstrating that you can’t be shaken, and letting him know that he’s wasting his time. In fact, some experts have even suggested moving to a position either behind or next to the heckler as you’re speaking, to send a clear message that you will not be intimidated.

4.  Take a Break

If the heckler gets out of control, a short break – 10 or 15 minutes at most – may be in order.  This will give your audience a reprieve from an uncomfortable situation, and allow you to collect your thoughts.  You might even want to speak to the offender privately, and ask him to please be more respectful of both you, and the other audience members.  You can even offer to continue the discussion or debate with him at a later, more appropriate time.

5.  Ask Them to Leave

This, of course, should be used as a last resort.  But, when it becomes clear that the heckler won’t stop being disruptive, in spite of your best efforts, he will need to be removed from the audience so the presentation can continue uninterrupted.

Do you have other ideas on how to deal with hecklers or ornery audience members? Share them in the comments below. Want more valuable tips on effective presentation creation and delivery?  Review our archive of presentation tips and check back every week for new posts.