You’re about to speak to a large group of people and you’re excited! You take the stage, get behind the mic, and wait for a hush to settle over the crowd. But what if they keep on talking and don’t notice you’re about to begin your speech? Here are three ways you can get people to stop yapping.
The Elementary School Method
This one’s weirdly effective. I’ve seen it work to quiet down people of all ages, from toddlers to mature adults. Here’s what you do:
- Take center stage, leaving your microphone behind.
- In a voice loud enough to be heard a couple rows back, say “Clap your hands once if you can hear my voice.” Then clap your hands.
- You may have to repeat this a couple of times, but pretty soon people in the front will hear you and do the clap.
- When that happens, say a little bit louder so people in the back can hear you, say “Clap twice if you can hear my voice.” Then clap two times. At this point, much of the audience will clap along with you.
- When this happens, go over to the mic, thank the audience, and begin your talk.
The Persistence Method
There is but one step. Start talking into the microphone in your normal tone of voice. Eventually, people will get the hint and quiet down. I’ve seen it work, but it can take a while.
The Direct Approach
- Take center stage, bringing your microphone with you.
- Hold both hands in the air then push them down in the “settle down” gesture.
- Say in a loud, upbeat voice, “I love the energy in this room! It’s great that you’re all networking! I’m about to get started, so you can get back to your conversations later on.”
- Start your speech.
How do you do it?
These are ways I’ve seen speakers take control over rowdy rooms. But surely there are other ways you’ve done or witnessed to get people to settle down. If you’ve done it differently or know of other methods, put them into the comments below!