Teleprompters are more accessible now than they’ve ever been. They can be as readily available and inexpensive as the nearest IPAD. But how do you know if using a Teleprompter is the right choice for your next presentation or appearance? Here are some things to consider when deciding if and when a Teleprompter is the right tool for you.

1.) Teleprompters only supply the sizzle, not the steak.
If you’re thinking a teleprompter will help save you time and preparation for your speech or presentation, don’t bother. Teleprompters are designed as a prompt on the content you already know. If you don’t have time to work on your content and on delivering that content, a teleprompter isn’t going to help you.

2.) Practice (Until You Can Let Go of Perfection)
No one knows what you were supposed to say, but stumbling over written words will give them a good idea about the difference. If you’re using your teleprompter the way a professional actor might, word for word, your performance is going to suffer. Practice until the prompter actually is a PROMPT, and not a literal script for you. (In fact, using bullets instead of whole sentences on a teleprompter will force you to do that.)

3.) Connection, not perfection is the point.
The teleprompter was invented by an actor. You’re not acting. For you, the point of a teleprompter is to allow you to connect with your audience instead of focusing on memorization. That means eye contact, voice inflection and body language are as important when using a teleprompter as in any other kind of verbal connection. If you’re standing in one spot READING to an audience, that connection will be lost.

4.) Your content needs to still be written for the ear, even when you’re reading.
Don’t forget that your audience is listening to you, not reading along. That means everything you’re delivering needs to be understood the first time. Your teleprompter script should be written the way you will be delivering it: shorter, more direct sentences, without words and phrases that need further explanation.
If you can’t ad lib around what you’ve written, re-write it.

Teleprompters have their place in formal, high profile speeches and appearances, and at industry conferences and presentations. They can help free you up from worry over the content, and allow you to be in the moment to make connections with your audience. Like all tools in your toolkit, it’s a matter of using the right one in any given circumstance and having the experience to use that tool to your advantage.