You probably felt that they were not really interested in you - as a result they lack credibility and sincerity. This is why maintaining eye contact with an audience is critical to effective communication.
A presenter should never turn away from the audience to look at the screen. A much better solution is to have a vision fold-back monitor that enables them to look towards the audience while still seeing what is on screen. This is what television presenters use as a matter of course.
You can choose lecterns that have an inset monitor or you can simply have a discrete monitor or two set in front of the stage. For larger events you can even have video screens placed at the back of the room facing the stage. All of these set-ups are designed to assist the presenter in communicating confidently, professionally and sincerely with the audience at all times.
Vision fold-back monitors can help achieve a number of outcomes, namely:
1. Helping the presenter engage the audience with a credible and sincere presentation
2. Maximising audience involvement thereby optimising impact and message uptake
3. Creating future audience goodwill that ensures they come to your next event in a positive frame of mind.
Some events entail presentations that need to be read from a script - word for word. We all know the importance of eye contact in ensuring effective communication so how can a presenter look directly out to the audience whilst reading a detailed speech?
An inexpensive yet effective way to maintain eye-contact with an audience whilst reading from a pre-prepared script is to use an autocue or teleprompt system. These systems use reflective glass panels, placed either side of the lectern, to display a scrolling and continuous prompt of the script. Because the panels are made of glass they are virtually invisible to the audience.
Autocue allows the presenter to look directly and confidently out to the audience whilst seeing and reading a ‘heads-up’ view of their speech. It is easy to use and ensures you always project an image of confidence and trust at your events.
For this reason, autocue is used regularly at major political addresses, annual general meetings, and any other events where a long and/or detailed speech needs to be delivered.
Sean Grech is a business development manager with Haycom Sydney. For a free weekly source of proven strategies and tips to optimise your brand image and deliver event success subscribe online at www.haycomstaging.com.au.
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