Using microphones in conference presentations

Claire Hartnell from CJ Garden Services based in Chandlers Ford is also a BNI Hampshire Area Director Consultant and emailed us last week. She’s already “Tamed” her monkeys with us last year when she attended our course at The Village hotel in Bournemouth, Dorset. She emailed to say that in a few weeks she’s giving her first conference presentation to 200 people – well done Claire Simply Amazing!! She was asking for advice on using the microphone for the first time so we’ve written a blog to help her and other first time mic users.

How do I use a microphone to enhance my presentation?

How often have you heard someone say ‘Can you all hear me ok?’ What first impression does that give you about the presenter? Plus, if you think about it, there is a total lack of logic in the question!
If you have followed the tips in our last blog you will now know how a microphone will help you when presenting to a larger audience and dealt with those annoying Public Speaking Monkeys that were getting in the way of you being heard. Perhaps you know the ones that are saying things like ‘why would they want to hear you’, ‘your content is boring’ or ‘you’re going to mess up again’?
So now you are a confident public speaker, what next? There are different types of microphone and to add to your presentation skills you need to understand how to get the best out of them.

Handheld microphones

• Make sure it always remains in line with your mouth. Until you are used to it, the best way is to imagine it ‘glued’ to the base of (but not underneath) your chin so it moves with your head. If you don’t your voice will fade in and out. As you get more confident, you can hold it slightly away and as you turn your head you will move the microphone to keep it in line.
• Hold it firmly, but naturally, away from the ball of the microphone as this can cause interference (unless you are a secret hip-hop or rap artist?)

Lapel or lavaliere microphone

• This requires advance planning to ensure it can be attached to something you’re wearing, for example a jacket lapel, ideally 8-10 inches from your mouth.
• As with a handheld mic, move your upper body as well as your head so they always stay aligned. Practice this in advance with something pinned to your clothing so you get used to the movement which may not feel normal at the beginning.
• Don’t wear anything that can knock the microphone or create interference eg jewellery, buttons. If you have long hair make sure it is out of the way so it can’t fall across the mic.

Lectern microphone

• Don’t hide behind the lectern – it steals your “energy”. If you can bend or pull it to the side and then stand to the side, standing in the presenter stance as we teach our clients.
  When you are confident using a microphone, your audience will not even notice that it is there!

To find out more about how we can work together so you deliver presentations in a calm and confident way through our award-winning Taming Your Public Speaking Monkeys programme, contact us today for an informal chat.