All About Teleprompters for Video Podcasting (Including Tips!)
Our studio teleprompter.
We use a teleprompter in our studio to help video podcasters read long scripts while maintaining eye contact with the camera. It’s great when it works, but like so much the tech we use for podcasting, how it’s used makes all the difference.
Jump directly to our prompter technique tips at the bottom of the page, or read on for everything you need to know about teleprompters and podcasting.
What is a Teleprompter?
Teleprompters come in many shapes and sizes, but they all have three basic jobs:
Display a script
Place the script over the camera
(or near it, as in some examples below)Moving the script as you speak
(either at a constant speed or dynamically using speech recognition)
Traditional teleprompters (like the one in our studio) have a screen below the camera that shines the script up onto “beam splitting” glass. This allows you to see the script while the camera sees you through the glass.
Teleprompters all have the same goal: keeping your eyes up looking at the camera (at your audience) rather than looking down at your notes or forcing you to memorize a lengthy script.
When used correctly the audience sees you looking them in the eye and speaking directly to them.
Teleprompters for Video Podcasting
You may be thinking: “podcasting is about authentic conversations - not reading off scripts!” and you’re not wrong.
That’s why we never recommend that our clients script entire podcasts.
We do recommend scripting certain elements though - specifically the intro, outro, and teaser.
Why? Because these elements of the show often need to convey a tremendous amount of very specific information very quickly.
Your podcast intro needs to be short and to the point so that it works as a smooth on-ramp to the conversation to come – rather than a 6-minute speed bump that makes viewers reconsider watching at all.
So you need to be quick but also remember to introduce yourself, the show, your guest, the sponsor, and point people to the website etc…
Teleprompters help deliver your script quickly and precisely without a lot of memorization.
Our Studio Teleprompter
The teleprompter in our studio (photo above) is a traditional beam splitting type that puts the text directly in front of the camera lens. We use an app called PromptSmart that lets us control it manually (using mouse and keyboard or buttons on our Stream Deck); via a pre-set scroll speed, or using the VoiceTrack feature that advances the script automatically as you speak.
If you’re looking for something similar for home use, we recommend the Elgato Prompter:
The Elgato Prompter
Home & Mobile Prompter Solutions
If you want to try using a teleprompter for free on your laptop, tablet, or phone - there are options available, but they come with a significant drawback: the script is only near the camera - not right on top of it.
Humans are evolved to have a really good sense of when people are looking right at us or just above, below, or to the side. Phone apps like BigVu and PromptSmart Mobile; or this web-based Free Voice Activated Teleprompter get you 90% of the way there, but it turns out that last 10% is a pretty big deal as you can see in this sample footage:
Eye-Contact On Demand
Can we talk about tech in 2024 without talking about AI? No we cannot.
Descript and other companies are using AI to fill in that last 10% gap between looking directly at the camera and looking a little below. Descript’s aptly named “eye contact” feature (currently in beta) analyzes your video and magically rotates your eyeballs to be looking at the camera.
In our tests it worked surprisingly well in some cases, and not at all in others, and sometimes produced a creepy “uncanny valley” effect.
Here it is working quite well on the laptop teleprompter footage example above:
And here it is working not particularly well on a desktop setup where the camera and the script were further apart (this seems be one of the keys to getting good results).
When it works as expected, it’s quite impressive - but still no replacement for a good performance with a proper teleprompter - at least not yet.
Tips for Using a Teleprompter Effectively
Teleprompters are an amazing tool but they require good technique to produce good results. Here are our top tips for looking natural when reading from a teleprompter:
Write a “readable” script. Keep your sentences (and your whole script if possible) short and punchy. Practice reading the script to test how it flows. If you’re stumbling in certain places, rewrite that section. As a general rule, if you wouldn’t say it in conversation, reword it.
Practice with the script. Few people can “live read” a script they’ve never seen before and make it sound natural. Practice with your script before turning on the cameras. You don’t need to have it memorized, but you should be familiar with the content and rhythm.
Practice with the prompter. Reading from a teleprompter is a skill that takes practice. Give yourself time to get familiar with the technology and dial in the settings for your speaking cadence and personal preferences (some people prefer a set smooth scrolling speed vs. advancing the script line by line as they speak.) If you’re in our studio remember that you’re not “live” and it may take several takes to achieve results you’re happy with - and that’s ok!
Remember to “perform”. Reading from a teleprompter isn’t just reading - it’s a performance! Don’t just read - keeping your energy up, using expressive body language, and pausing appropriately will help your audience forget you’re reading from a script. Remember, you’re speaking to people, not a camera.
Set your own pace. The teleprompter should adjust to your pace - not the other way around. Practicing (see above) will help you determine if the script is moving too quickly or too slowly.
Eye contact - but not too much. It’s natural to want to keep your eyes glued to the teleprompter, but make a conscious effort to look away occasionally. This makes your delivery feel more authentic and engaging.
Use natural pauses. Don’t be afraid to pause naturally as you read. Pauses can emphasize important points, give your audience time to absorb information, and make your delivery feel more conversational.
Vary Your Tone and Volume. Monotone delivery can quickly lose your audience’s attention. Vary your tone and volume to emphasize key points and keep your delivery dynamic and engaging.
Stay relaxed - breathe. Nervousness can make your delivery sound stiff and unnatural. Take a few deep breaths before you start, and try to stay relaxed throughout your performance. A calm demeanor helps convey confidence. We can always do a sixth, seventh, or eighth take to make sure it’s perfect!
Thanks for diving into the world of teleprompters with us! With the right technique they can transform your video podcasting experience, making it more engaging and professional.