Tips for Reading from a Teleprompter Naturally

Introduction

• Reading from a teleprompter can make you look robotic and awkward.
• Despite this, it is possible to appear natural.
• Presenter shares tips learned from 18 years of experience with YouTube videos and professional productions.
• Unique tips not commonly found on YouTube.

Script Writing Tips

• Avoid over-scripting initially:
  • Bullet points can make the delivery feel more natural.
• Write conversationally:
  • Ignore proper grammar.
  • Use contractions (e.g., "do not" becomes "don't").
  • Start sentences with conjunctions (e.g., "And").
  • Use simple, everyday language.
• Structure the script for ease:
  • Add frequent paragraph breaks (1-2 sentences per paragraph).

Eye Contact

• Avoid visible eye movements which distract viewers.
• Optimal Setup:
  • Stand about five feet away from the prompter.
  • Balance text size with distance.

Practice Techniques

• Practice reading from the teleprompter beforehand.
• Adjust for challenges:
  • Identify words or structures that cause mistakes (e.g., two-letter words at the end of a line).

Relaxation & Body Language

• Avoid looking too concentrated or stiff.
• Incorporate movement:
  • Relax your body, use hands, and mimic natural conversational gestures.
  • Allow natural eye movement and head motion.

Voice Modulation

• Avoid monotone delivery.
• Use vocal inflection and emphasis.
• Script cues for inflection:
  • Use ellipses ("...") and all caps for emphasis.
  • Include emotional cues in the script.

Additional Resources

• Upcoming live training on scripting and reading from a teleprompter (sign up via link).
• Playlist on setting up the Elgato prompter for optimal use.

Conclusion

• Follow these tips to improve your teleprompter reading skills and appear more natural on camera.