Whether you’re a public speaker, educator, or content creator, you need to convey your ideas, engage an audience, and establish connections. It can be hard to memorize a script for speeches, presentations, or videos, and deliver it fluently. Using a teleprompter app offers a solution. It can help you to deliver your speeches with confidence, natural flair, and clarity. Here are some useful teleprompter tips to improve your speeches.
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What is a teleprompter?
A teleprompter displays the script of your speech on a screen in front of a camera lens. This means you can read the text and connect with your audience at the same time. How do teleprompters work? They use a reflective surface and monitor to project the text in a way that’s visible to you but not to the camera.
Today you can use teleprompter apps where you can adjust the speed at which the text scrolls and make use of many other useful features. Using a teleprompter app means you access your script from anywhere as long as you have a compatible device and an internet connection. When you use a teleprompter you don’t need to consult written notes or memorize your speech. You can focus on maintaining eye contact with your audience and using the right body language to establish a connection.
Practice your scrolling speed
It takes practice to achieve the right scrolling speed. Familiarize yourself with the settings on the teleprompter and how to adjust the scrolling speed. Practice before you give your actual speech so you can adjust the speed to suit your natural speaking rhythm.
User-friendly teleprompter apps will allow you to easily adjust your scrolling speed. If you’re looking for a teleprompting app for your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, you have many choices. The best teleprompter app for you will have features that suit your presentation style, type of content, and customization needs. For example, apart from being able to customize your scrolling speed, you should be able to easily import and edit your scripts. A useful feature is to be able to use voice commands to start and stop scrolling. You will also need to check that a teleprompter is compatible with your equipment.
Format your script
Delivering a good speech begins with your script. The way you format it will impact your delivery.
- It’s best to use simple words and short sentences. This helps you to maintain a natural speaking pace and recover quickly if you lose your place.
- Use a large enough font and clear spacing so your script is easy to read. The size of the font will affect how many words appear on a line. Too many on a line and your side-to-side eye movement may be distracting to the audience.
- Marking up your script can help you to remember where to take pauses, where to add emphasis, etc. For example, you can make key phrases bold or use different colors for emphasis. It’s important for your inflection and the pitch of your voice to vary throughout your speech.
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Balance your eye contact
If you rely too much on the teleprompter, your speech is likely to feel stilted. You will need to practice shifting your gaze from the teleprompter to different sections of the audience. However, if you shift your gaze too much you can come across as untrustworthy. Maintaining a steady gaze and creating just the right balance of eye contact can go a long way to engaging with the audience.
Use body language to add dynamism
Teleprompter apps usually position the script directly below or above the camera which means you can maintain natural body posture. When you use a teleprompter, you don’t have to hold physical notes. This means you can use hand movements to emphasize certain points. Expressive gestures can add to the dynamism of your speech.
Practice regularly to overcome teleprompter anxiety
Regular practice will help you address your anxiety and enable you to focus more on your message than on the presence of the teleprompter. You need to see it as a tool to enhance your speech rather than a hindrance or a crutch.
When you record yourself and watch the recording you can identify mistakes you may be making and correct them. You can start customizing settings to suit your preferences and speaking style. Getting feedback from mentors or peers with experience in using a teleprompter can also be very helpful.
Conclusion
Using a teleprompter for speeches eliminates your reliance on your memory or physical notes. It gives you the convenience of being able to practice your speeches and improve your delivery. You can focus on how you present your speech using eye contact and body language to engage with your audience and convey your message with confidence.
