How would you feel if you could remember your speech? Well, you can! And you don’t need a good memory. Instead of days and weeks of memorization, you can use a teleprompter.
But it’s not simply about reading the words. There are some skills to using a teleprompter.
1. Write a good script. When speaking in-person, you’ll want to use bullet points. For a teleprompter write out a word-for-word script.
2. Mark up your script. Highlight key words with quotes for emphasis and use a comma or forward slash to indicate a pause.
3. Read the script out loud several times to make sure it flows and that it’s written for the ear.
We write differently than we speak. As you say the lines, you’ll find ways to make it sound conversational
4. Practice with a director who will follow your rhythm and will speed up and slow down as needed.
5. Use gestures. Keep your hands above the waist and gesture naturally. You’ll look stiff with hands at your side.
6. Smile at the beginning and smile at the end. You’ll know the end is coming because it will be color coded. Usually the script will be in white and the final message will be in yellow.
7. Expect to do several takes. Nobody delivers a presentation without a few flubs. You may have to do a second take which means you’ll do the entire presentation over. Other times you may do a rollback. The director goes back to the place where you stumbled and you continue from there.
8. Make sure the font is large enough so you don’t have to scan back and forth with your eyes.
9. Push your energy. Video is an energy drain. You need to be more enthusiastic and energetic than in person.
10. Choose the right wardrobe. Certain colors will televise better than other hues. The first choice are jewel tones-turquoise, royal blue, fuchsia or bright, clear colors. Don’t wear white. It will reflect too much light.
Finally, if you want to use a teleprompter without the expense of a studio, you can download apps to your phone. One such app is BigVu. It will take the stress out of memorizing your talk.
You don’t have to be a professional broadcaster to look good on camera. Practice using a teleprompter and you’ll give a knockout presentation.
To learn how to Speak Confidently and Effectively check out my LinkedIn learning course. It ranked #5 on the Top 20 Most Popular courses.
To learn techniques to overcome fear of speaking, read chapter 3 of Knockout Presentations.
To work with me contact DiResta Communications, Inc.