Handling hecklers – Speeches and Debates
Remember who your audience is and focus on getting them to take your side.
Then breathe slowly, don’t panic or jump in, just smile and let the heckler talk. Don’t compete with them for attention or try and shout them down – give them the stage. Letting them blow out gives you the time to think – don’t stress, your time to respond will come. The longer you wait the more time you have and the more likely the heckler is to trip up. Also the audience will be waiting for you to respond – you will get your chance. Release your response in the heckler’s talked-out silence.
Successfully handling hecklers can change the tempo and direction of a speech or debate in your favour.
Watch this amusing example of how a heckler gets it totally wrong. He heckles, then asks for a microphone. The brave and self-assured comedian gets him a mike and invites the heckler on to the stage. And gives him an opportunity to speak…. every heckler’s dream surely – what could possibly go wrong?
Enjoy!
