Handling an Unruly Audience

1h 5mGeneral2021-10-06

Authors

Deirdre Breakenridge

CEO at Pure Performance Communications

Course details

Learn how to create a better rapport with your audience and handle negative interactions with unruly audience members. PR expert Deirdre Breakenridge helps you recognize the personality "signals" of hecklers in advance and what to do when you are interrupted. She also helps you identify potential champions and enlist their support before you ever step foot on stage. Whether you are speaking to a large or small audience, Deirdre provides tips for keeping your composure and maintaining focus, from the moment you start speaking to answering difficult questions during Q&A.

Learning objectives
Recall the two-step process for understanding your audience.
List the five steps to neutralize the negative.
Summarize the characteristics of the five types of people in an audience.
Recognize the importance of keeping your composure.
Determine the most appropriate action to take if you are unable to answer all the questions at the end of your presentation.

Skills covered

Public SpeakingLimited SeriesProfessional Development

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Conquering your public speaking fears

1. Get to Know Your Audience

02 - Understand your audience s needs and concerns
03 - Neutralize negative audience members
04 - Six ways to capture your audience's attention

2. Identifying the Challenges

05 - Identify five key personalities in your audience
06 - Identify and manage hecklers
07 - Build audience champions

3. Have an Agenda - Stay the Course

08 - Stick to your agenda - Small groups
09 - Stick to your agenda - Large groups
10 - Four tips for keeping your composure

4. Address Concerns and Move Forward

11 - Six tips for addressing tough questions
12 - Set the limits on a Q&A
13 - Command the room

Conclusion

14 - Put your presentation skills to use