This is a classic example of over reliance on the teleprompter by President Obama. He is losing some of his authenticity and it is beginning to show. While many other Presidents used to personally rewrite their speeches, Obama clearly reads whatever is posted on the teleprompter without practicing. That’s too bad. The power of the bully pulpit is the most powerful method a President has to influence. Audiences are beginning to see that Obama uses the teleprompter way too much for his own good.
If you insist on using a teleprompter, here are 5 keys rules to follow:
1. Practice! Using a teleprompter is tricky and speakers who have never used one before find it difficult. If my client insists on its use, then I insist that he or she practice on the teleprompter at least several times.
2. Prepare for the worst. A teleprompter runs on electricity and that’s why every so often they lose power and fail on a speaker. Such happened to President Bill Clinton once during a State of the Union address. No problem though, he had a backup plan. Clinton has read the speech and practiced so many times that he gave the speech from memory.
3. Stick to the script. The speech should be written or typed out and laid in plain sight of the speaker on the podium. The speaker should follow along so that if the teleprompter goes down, he or she can easily pick up right where they left off.
4. Don’t correct a machine. If something goes wrong such as the words coming too fast or slow, don’t openly correct the teleprompter or its operator. The audience will know for sure you are using one and they will not feel the same connection with you. Roll with the punches and keep going.
5. Don’t use one. Really, that’s my professional advice. Speakers who rely on reading a speech lose that special connection with an audience that gives them their energy and charisma. It’s okay to make mistakes, in fact, its much more natural. So write out a good speech ahead of time, practice till you know it inside and out, and give it your best shot. The audience will appreciate that you took the time to work so hard on your remarks.
