Teleprompters are a common tool in the production and news industries, as well as a popular choice for independent creatives. If your job or hobby involves speaking in front of a camera, a teleprompter may be a worthwhile investment. In this article, we’ll detail the pros and cons of using teleprompters to help you decide if a teleprompter is right for you.
Pros
Provides Security
One of the most terrifying parts of public speaking is the experience of forgetting your lines in the midst of a speech. A teleprompter can scroll an entire script before a speaker’s eyes during a presentation, eliminating any chance that they will forget what to say, and thus boosting a speaker’s confidence and security.
Streamlines Filming
Have you ever been recording a video, messed up your lines 30 seconds in, and needed to start all over? Starting a recording over again is time consuming, especially if it happens multiple times. Using a teleprompter during recording streamlines the film process by reminding the speaker of their lines, resulting in less time needed to film.
Promotes Audience Engagement
If you’ll be speaking in front of a live audience, a teleprompter can aid you in engaging with your audience. Rather than fumbling with notecards in your hand, a conveniently located teleprompter will enable you to read the screen and speak toward the audience simultaneously.
Cons
Technical Difficulties
Since teleprompters are a piece of technology, you always run the risk of encountering technical difficulties while using them. Especially if the person using the teleprompter is not familiar with their text, a technical difficulty can create issues.
Can Become a Distraction
If a speaker is too reliant on their teleprompter, it can quickly become a crutch. This type of reliance upon the teleprompter turns the device into a distraction, as the speaker’s attention will be fully on the teleprompter rather than their audience.
Unnatural Delivery
Additionally, overreliance on a teleprompter can cause a speaker’s delivery to seem stilted, overly scripted, and unnatural. Once an audience realizes this, their attention will likely be lost, resulting in a less effective delivery for the speaker.
Once you evaluate the pros and cons of using teleprompters, you’ll be able to decide whether a teleprompter is a good fit for your needs. Before buying one, it’s also helpful to know about how different types of teleprompters work. With the help of this information, you’ll be able to make the best decision to improve your speaking in your hobby or career!
