November 12, 2008

I can't hear you...



At my networking event the other night, I noticed two problems that just about every speaker had with the microphone, and I want to pass this along as a quick reminder:

1. When speaking at a fixed microphone, adjust the mic so it's close enough to your mouth. If you're too far away (more than a couple of inches), your voice will not be loud enough. Adjust as you begin speaking, so you can hear it when it's right.

2. When speaking at a fixed microphone, you have to face it. If you turn away, it doesn't turn with you. One of the speakers kept turning his head to look at his colleagues while he spoke. Every time he turned, his voice disappeared.

3. You still have to project your voice, even when using a microphone -- especially if you want to get the attention of a room full of chattering people who would rather network than listen to speakers.

For more microphone tips, download my free handout, "What to Do With That Pesky Microphone."

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5 comments. Please add yours! :

Anonymous said...

I would add a 1b: Make sure you're not too close to the microphone either, it's not edible.

Anonymous said...

Not all speakers are 6ft tall business men. Some of us are short women. Please don't have a microphone FIXED to the podium that we can't reach. If you do, then get us something SAFE to stand on so we can speak into the mic properly and people can see our faces, not the tops of our heads.

Lisa Braithwaite said...

Thanks for your comments, ladies!

Jacki, I wrote about that issue during our election, when McCain was swallowed up by his lectern:
http://coachlisab.blogspot.com/2008/09/another-reason-to-avoid-lectern.html

Kk said...

Gosh the debates must have driven you crazy for so many reasons!

Lisa Braithwaite said...

Yes, KK, they did! I wrote about them a couple of times.

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