by Gilda Bonanno LLC www.gildabonanno.com
Often, I have seen people refuse to use a microphone when they're
presenting, whether at an office meeting, community event or industry
conference. Yet, using a microphone correctly can make it easier for the
audience to hear you and understand your message - which is the whole point of
your presentation.
Gilda Bonanno's blog www.gildabonanno.blogspot.com
Often, I have seen people refuse to use a microphone when they're
presenting, whether at an office meeting, community event or industry
conference. Yet, using a microphone correctly can make it easier for the
audience to hear you and understand your message - which is the whole point of
your presentation.
Here are the 5 reasons I hear for not using a microphone - and how
you can overcome them.
1. You Don't Think It's Necessary
You may think, "my voice is powerful enough and I don't need
it," but often, that is not the case. Realize that it may be difficult for
the audience to hear you, given the size of the room and the amount of
surrounding noise. Also, according to a 2009 study by the Better Hearing Institute,
the number of Americans with hearing loss has grown to roughly 11 percent of
the U.S. population - and six out of ten of them are below retirement age.
So it is likely that there are people in your audience with some level of
hearing difficulty.
2. You Aren't Used to Hearing Your Own Voice
The more you listen to your own voice, the more comfortable you
will get listening to it. Almost every computer and smartphone has an audio
recorder, so use it to record yourself and play it back, so you can get used
to how you sound.
3. You Don't Realize It Can Protect Your Voice
Most people don't project well without a microphone (unless you
have been trained in singing or acting). So you end up shouting when you try
to project, which can leave you with a sore throat, laryngitis or vocal
cord damage.
4. You Don't Know How to Use a Microphone
This concern is legitimate and can easily be addressed by
practicing with the microphone. Ask the AV staff or a techie friend to help. You
want to find out things such as: where to clip the microphone or how to hold
it; who will control the volume; how to avoid ear-splitting feedback (don't
point the microphone at the speakers) and where to get an extra battery. Then
get in the room ahead of time and practice using it.
5. You Think It's Too Formal
You may think that using a microphone is only for professional
speakers on a stage in front of thousands of people and that it would be
arrogant to use it in a smaller setting. Not at all. Used well, a microphone
can demonstrate that you're a smart and respectful presenter who cares enough
about your audience to use every tool at your disposal to ensure they can hear
and understand your presentation.Gilda Bonanno's blog www.gildabonanno.blogspot.com