Last week I talked about the importance of testing your microphone properly.
This week, let’s look at it from the other side.
Let’s say you have decided NOT to use a microphone in your conference presentation.
Please test this decision beforehand.
I was at an important conference presentation last year.
The speaker stood up and began the presentation.
“I have a loud voice,” he bellowed.
“I am going to dispense with the microphone.”
After a few seconds, someone near the back shouted out.
“I cannot hear you properly.”
“Me neither,” said another.
The presenter thought those audience members were joking.
He was mistaken.
Then the ‘killer blow’ came from a third audience member.
“I think you should use the microphone.
Lots of people nodded in agreement.
Ouch!
The speaker’s confidence disappeared.
Ashen faced, he picked up a microphone and raced through the rest of the presentation.
He never really recovered.
So, make sure you test this carefully before you begin.
Ask someone to sit right at the back as you test out your voice.
Can they hear you easily?
I put full emphasis on the word easily.
If they can barely hear you when the room is empty, it’ll be even harder when it’s full – the audience will absorb some of the sound.
If they can hear you easily, you’re good to go.
If not, use the microphone – from the very start.
Don’t wait until the audience demands it.
By then, it’s too late to sound confident.
Testing your voice takes just a few moments, but it can make a lasting difference.
Projection alone isn’t enough – clarity is what keeps people connected.
When your voice carries with ease, so does your message.
For more simple and informative presentation tips, why not check out the following article on why distance slows connection and how to bridge the gap…
