Join us on January 16th for PowerSpeaking Live! Your Best Self: How to Give and Receive Feedback
REGISTER NOW

​PowerSpeaking Blog: Tips and strategies for crafting presentations!

The Art of Using a Teleprompter

by PowerSpeaking, Inc.     Feb 27, 2019 1:30:54 PM

How often have you seen public figures like politicians and entertainers trip over words, suffer awkward pauses, or make it obvious they’re reading a script while on camera? Yes, even seasoned speakers and presenters can bungle a talk if they’re not in sync with the words scrolling on that teleprompter screen.

There is a fine art to working with teleprompters, whether you’re being taped for a production video or making a live speech. Our Vice President of Learning and Development, Carrie Beckstrom, learned this lesson well recently, as she stepped in front of a teleprompter for the first time during production of our new program introduction videos. She graciously let us include a couple of quick clips for this blog, to demonstrate a few of the common recording/teleprompter mistakes to look out for.

Teleprompter Outtakes - Blog from PowerSpeaking on Vimeo.

Here are our best tips for making the teleprompter your friend:

Substance

  • Make sure your script is written in a conversational tone. Use crisp, vivid language. Vary the length of your sentences to create an interesting rhythm and emphasize important points. Avoid overly long, complicated sentences.
  • Use language that makes your audience feel like you’re talking with them, not at them.  In other words, speak to them as you would to a friend.
  • Include pauses in the script where you want to give people time to digest what you just said, or when you’re transitioning to another point.

Style

  • Rehearse the script out loud several times prior to filming.
  • Practice where and how you’re going to emphasize specific points.
  • Wear clothing that is not distracting to the audience or problematic for filming. Example: wear solid colors that don’t get lost or clash with the background.
  • Whether you sit or stand, make sure you have a comfortable, solid stance.
  • As with any “speech,” use engaging, effective gestures that illustrate and/or support what you’re saying.

Staging

These tips are more for the people setting up the room, operating the camera, and managing the teleprompter:

  • Make sure the room/space is distraction-free.
  • Set up good, professional lighting.
  • Put the subject in focus and the background slightly out of focus. This effect gives a more professional look.
  • Use a lavaliere microphone for good-quality sound.
  • Make sure the font size of the script on the teleprompter, and the speed at which it scrolls, makes for easy, natural reading.
  • During filming, use a “director board” to keep track of the best cuts.

Two last tips: keep a glass of water nearby; and if you struggle through multiple takes of a passage, take a break. Walk outside, breathe, stretch. You’ll come back to the teleprompter refreshed.

If you’d like more presentation/speaking skills training, check out our upcoming classes, below, or visit www.powerspeaking.com.


On the journey with you . . .

The PowerSpeaking Team

 
March 12 & 13, 2019, Redwood City, CA
May 7 & 8, 2019, Redwood City, CA
July 16 & 17, 2019, Redwood City, CA
 
March 14, 2019, Redwood City, CA
May 9, 2019, Redwood City, CA
July 18, 2019, Redwood City, CA
 
April 8 & 9, 2019, Redwood City, CA
June 4 & 5, 2019, Redwood City, CA
 
April 10 & 11, 2019, Redwood City, CA
June 19 & 20, 2019, Redwood City, CA
       

To register, click here.

 
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Join Us in Conversation . . .

ps-live-logo

Your Best Self: How to Give and Receive Feedback

Thursday, January 16, 2025, 9-10:00 a.m. PT/12-1:00 p.m. ET/5-6:00 p.m. BST

We all need to give and receive honest, constructive, timely feedback to create strong, productive working relationships, drive business success, and grow in our careers. Join us as our expert panelists and host Carrie Beckstrom, CEO, share insights and practical advice on how to make feedback a power strength.

Register Now

Matt Holcomb

Matt Holcomb

HR Executive & Consulting Practitioner

Kay Malcolm

Kay Malcolm

Vice President, Database Product Management at Oracle

About the Author

PowerSpeaking, Inc.

Topics: Style, Delivery Style, Presentation Skills, Presentation Preparation, Tips for Using a Teleprompter, Public Speaking, Effective Presenting, Staging, Teleprompter

Don’t Miss Out on Insights!

Subscribe to PowerSpeaking Insights to get our blog, best-practice tips, special offers, and more sent directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE

Subscribe to PowerSpeaking Insights

PS Live Blog Sidebar CTA-jan-2025

 

Recent Posts

Popular Posts