According to Speaker Rich Hopkins there are several things you can do when something threatens to distract your audience from your speech:
- Stop - stop it before it starts - get people to turn off their cell phones, etc.
- Ignore - don't pay any attention to it and go on with your speech
- Get close - move onstage to the place where the distraction is occurring - this focuses attention on the persons causing the disturbance and they will usually stop doing what they are doing
Tim Wilson
Professional Speech Coach
Free speaking tips at: http://speakingquicktips.blogspot.com