Teleprompter Techniques: Tips for Engaging On-Staff Talent Presentations

stlouisvideocrew ♦ July 23, 2023 ♦ 1 Comment

Are you preparing to film an on-staff talent presentation for your company? Whether it’s a corporate training video, an internal announcement, or a promotional piece, having confident and engaging presenters is crucial to delivering your message effectively. While some individuals have a natural gift for public speaking, many others might need a little extra help to deliver their lines smoothly and professionally. This is where teleprompters come into play!

At St Louis Video Crew, we understand the significance of well-executed on-staff talent presentations. As experienced videographers and producers based in St. Louis, we’ve created hundreds of teleprompter productions for all types of large and small companies in the region. In this article, we’ll explore teleprompter techniques to help your presenters deliver captivating and authentic performances.

What is a Teleprompter?

A teleprompter is a device used to display a script or text to the presenter, allowing them to read their lines while maintaining direct eye contact with the camera or the audience. It typically consists of a computer monitor or screen mounted on a specialized stand in front of the camera. The speed of the text scrolling on the screen can be adjusted to match the presenter’s pace.

Teleprompters are a game-changer for on-staff talent presentations. They eliminate the need for presenters to memorize lengthy scripts, reducing the chances of stumbling over words and ensuring a smoother delivery. With the script scrolling in front of them, presenters can focus on their tone, body language, and connecting with the audience.

Advantages of Using Teleprompters

1. Improved Confidence: Teleprompters provide a safety net for presenters, boosting their confidence and allowing them to concentrate on their delivery without worrying about forgetting lines.
2. Consistent Delivery: With a teleprompter, every presentation will be consistent in tone, pacing, and content, which is especially crucial for conveying important information or maintaining brand identity.
3. Time-Saving: Using a teleprompter can significantly speed up the filming process, as presenters can deliver their lines efficiently and effectively.
4. Natural Eye Contact: Unlike cue cards or off-camera scripts, teleprompters enable presenters to maintain eye contact with the audience or camera, creating a more engaging and trustworthy connection.
5. Script Revisions Made Easy: If there are any last-minute script changes, they can be updated on the teleprompter instantly, ensuring presenters are always up-to-date.

Teleprompter Techniques for Engaging Presentations

1. Practice Makes Perfect

While teleprompters can make the presentation process smoother, practice is still essential. Encourage your presenters to rehearse their lines before the actual filming. This will help them become familiar with the content and feel more comfortable delivering it.

2. Natural Pacing

Advise presenters to maintain a natural and conversational pace while reading from the teleprompter. If the text scrolls too fast, they may feel rushed, leading to a less engaging delivery. On the other hand, if it scrolls too slowly, it may come across as unnatural or hesitant.

3. Use Gestures and Body Language

Reading from a teleprompter doesn’t mean presenters should stand still like statues. Encourage them to use appropriate gestures and body language to enhance their message. Movement helps in conveying emotions and keeps the audience interested.

4. Maintain Eye Contact

Even though the script is on the teleprompter, presenters should remember to maintain eye contact with the camera or the audience. This creates a connection and makes the presentation more relatable.

5. Avoid Over-Reliance on the Teleprompter

While teleprompters are incredibly useful, presenters should avoid being overly dependent on them. Encourage them to glance at the teleprompter to get the next line and then deliver it while looking at the camera or the audience. This will prevent a monotonous and disconnected delivery.

6. Engage with a Mock Audience

To simulate the real presentation environment, have presenters practice with a mock audience. This could be their colleagues or friends who can provide constructive feedback and help them refine their delivery.

7. Embrace Imperfections

Remind your presenters that it’s okay to make mistakes. Teleprompters allow for easy retakes, so there’s no need to stress about getting everything perfect in one go. Encourage them to stay relaxed and composed throughout the process.

Experience the St Louis Video Crew Difference

As a full-service video production company based in St. Louis, St Louis Video Crew is well-versed in all aspects of photography, video, and multimedia production. Our team of experienced videographers and producers knows exactly how to leverage teleprompters to create engaging and professional on-staff talent presentations.

When you partner with St Louis Video Crew, you can trust that your branding and business marketing communications needs will be met with excellence. Whether you require corporate training videos, promotional pieces, internal announcements, or any other video production requirements, we’ve got you covered.

Our state-of-the-art teleprompter equipment, combined with our skilled team, ensures that your presenters will deliver their lines with confidence and authenticity. With our experience in creating teleprompter productions for various companies in the St. Louis region, we understand the nuances of engaging presentations that leave a lasting impact on your audience.

314-913-5626 stlouisvideocrew@gmail.com