For presentations, a TelePrompTer is the
delivery tool of choice. But even the most polished speaker can
make mistakes. Arlington Heights, Ill.-based event management
outfit Ramsborg Group Ltd. (www.ramsborg.com) offers these tips for
avoiding glitches at the podium.
Check the height. Make sure the screen is
placed at eye level, so you don’t need to slouch or gaze upward to
read.
Roll the tape. Concentrate on reading the first
one-third of the screen, and have the technician scroll slowly down
to allow time for pausing.
Be natural. To avoid appearing as if you are
reading straight off the prompter, try to use expressive hand
gestures, punctuate sentences and look back and forth across the
audience.
Watch it. Videotape yourself in action, so you
can see what the audience sees. This can be an invaluable tool for
rehearsing and making improvements in your presentation style.