Virtual teleprompter is a must-have tool for content creators, presenters, and professionals who finds it difficult to deliver speeches or presentations confidently. Whether you are filming a video for YouTube, delivering a webinar or speaking at any virtual event – with the help of teleprompter, it is easier to stay on point without memorizing those long scripts. But like all tools, if it were not used properly results can be unprofessional.
1. Reading Instead of Presenting
The biggest mistake you can make with virtual teleprompters is sounding like a robot or worse, rehearsed. This problem arises when a user reads out the script as it is and not interacts with its audience.
How to avoid it: Know the content of your script before you record or go live. This helps you to sound natural, and keeps the discussion live instead of reading. Using body language and looking into the camera to communicate with viewers will makes you look authentic, friendly, or whatever your style is.
2. Improper Teleprompter Speed
Your movement speed is really important in order to deliver your message smoothly. Selecting too high a speed on the teleprompter may lead to rushing through your script, while going either very slow can have you pausing at awkward moments and well off into space without any flow. So, read your script multiple times and adjust the speed of scrolling accordingly.
3. Distance between Your Camera and the Teleprompter
A common issue is the virtual teleprompter being too far from camera. You can tell this and that you are reading off a screen because your eyes dart from the script to the camera. Your presentation might miss a personal touch and this lack of eyes on before humans can make your audience to lose interest easily.
How to avoid this: Put the teleprompter as close to your lens (or whatever you would like your eye line, or one step off) and try not to move them around too much.
4. Improper Script Formatting
The formatting of your script can greatly determine how easy or hard you find reading it. Text that is too tiny will rack up the number of words per moment beyond your disposal, but if you have lines spaced also closely or paragraphs are overly long, then there is an opportunity to start stumbling over words due to missing lines or word location.
How to avoid it: Paste one sentence or phrase into available text area for each line then use a large and legible font that is easy to glance through. If necessary, place emphasizes on key points, such as bold, italics, underline, etc.
5. Neglecting to Test the Setup
Testing the setup is often omitted by users before going on air for a live presentation or recording. Little things like a misaligned teleprompter, type of lighting or how well your audio sounds can diminish the quality perceived from anyone. Be careful though: if you know the tech already, running a test can save some unpleasant surprises.
How to avoid this: always test first before going live or recording! Make sure the teleprompter is functioning normally and displayed at an appropriate speed that allows you to read it comfortably. Make sure your lighting, audio and camera setting are all perfect for the best viewing experience
It is certain that if you misuse a virtual teleprompter, it will make your speeches and presentations worse. These are five common mistakes, but by doing each of them correctly (reading vs presenting — teleprompter speed — placement on the lens and setup check) can go a long way to providing you with delivering that seamless performance. Practice, and practice, adjust and prepare yourself for your virtual presentations.