How to Look Natural Using a Teleprompter

Photo by Steve Lord

Connecting with your audience through video is crucial for brands today. As marketing officers or corporate heads, you understand that a genuine delivery can transform a standard video into a compelling story that resonates deeply. Teleprompters help deliver polished messages, but if your eyes visibly dart side to side or the delivery feels robotic, viewers will notice, breaking that crucial audience connection. Research indicates that nearly 20% of viewers abandon a video within the first 10 seconds. Meanwhile, 65% of consumers trust a brand more after watching its explainer video. Psychologically, audiences forge stronger connections with content that feels human and relatable, tapping into emotional engagement that boosts retention. Studies reveal viewers retain 95% of messages from credible videos compared to just 10% from text, but only when the delivery signals sincerity. This guide explores practical techniques to wield a teleprompter naturally, ensuring your brand videos feel authentic and engaging.

Why Looking Natural Matters for Brands

For brands, video content transcends mere information. It fosters trust and sparks meaningful connections. A natural presentation draws viewers in, enhancing engagement and message recall. Conversely, a rigid delivery can erode credibility, portraying your brand as aloof or contrived. From production experiences, we observe how natural performances elevate routine scripts into resonant narratives that yield tangible outcomes. This resonates with what audiences demand in 2025. Genuine, relatable content that integrates smoothly into their hectic routines.

Consider your recent video endeavour. Did the presenter forge a bond through the screen, or did it resemble a recitation? Emphasising natural delivery helps brands sidestep pitfalls and produce standout videos. Crucially, avoid the tell-tale scanning eyes that signal reading, as this disrupts the conversational illusion and undermines authenticity.

Common Challenges with Teleprompters

Before diving into solutions, let’s explore the common hurdles that often arise. Teleprompters provide accuracy, yet they pose obstacles to natural expression. Here are key issues brands encounter. These challenges often stem from unfamiliarity with the tool, leading to tension that shows on screen and weakens the overall message. Brands may find that without proper handling, videos lose their intended warmth, resulting in lower viewer retention and diminished impact on audience trust. To counter this, focus on relaxation methods to ease the presenter into a comfortable state before recording. Keep an eye out for the following:

1. The robot effect, where monotone voice and stiff posture render deliveries mechanical.

2. Over-dependence on scripts, curbing spontaneity and individual style.

3. Visible eye movement, such as darting glances that betray reading and break viewer immersion.

4. Pacing mismatches, leading to rushed or dragged segments that feel unnatural.

5. Technical glitches, like improper setup causing distractions during recording.

To help the person relax, encourage deep breathing exercises before starting. Take slow, controlled breaths to calm nerves and steady your voice. Practise mindfulness techniques, such as visualising a successful delivery or focusing on a quiet space free from distractions. A gentle facial relaxation, like releasing tension in your jaw and shoulders, paired with a subtle smile, can also promote a more at ease presence. These steps build comfort, making it easier to overcome the hurdles and deliver with genuine ease.

Essential Tips for Natural Delivery

Achieving a natural appearance begins with thorough preparation and carries through to recording, blending structured practise with intuitive adjustments for truly authentic outcomes. These proven strategies empower your performance, drawing from established video production techniques that prioritise fluidity and connection. By investing time in these approaches, you not only refine technical skills but also cultivate a mindset that allows for genuine expression, turning potential stiffness into engaging storytelling that captivates corporate audiences. Additionally, a speaker can enhance their voice techniques by visualizing their voice as a cinematic tool, such as imagining your tone shaping the narrative to enhance authenticity while reading from the prompter.

1. Script Writing for Conversational Flow:

   Craft scripts that echo natural dialogue to make your words flow effortlessly. Start by dictating ideas aloud to capture a fluid, spoken tone, then polish them into concise sentences that avoid jargon. Choose straightforward, relatable words that align perfectly with your brand voice, ensuring the content feels approachable. Integrate personal elements, such as brief stories or rhetorical queries, to captivate viewers and add warmth. Finally, read the script aloud multiple times to spot and refine any clumsy phrases, creating a foundation for seamless delivery.

2. Practise Techniques to Build Confidence:

   Rehearse extensively to fully absorb the material, turning it from words on a page into second nature. Begin by reading the script without the teleprompter to internalise key points, then gradually incorporate the tool step by step for familiarity. Record your practise runs and critique them objectively to sharpen your on-camera presence and identify areas for improvement. Vary your speed for added dynamism, accelerating for moments of enthusiasm and decelerating for points that need emphasis. Where possible, employ outlines rather than full scripts to encourage organic phrasing and reduce reliance on exact wording.

3. Delivery Skills for Engaging Performances:

   Sustain eye contact by aligning the text near the lens, creating the illusion of direct conversation with viewers. Introduce subtle smiles to soften your tone and ease facial features, making you appear more approachable and relaxed. Diversify intonations to keep things lively, insert natural pauses for respiration to mimic everyday speech, and apply mild gestures to underscore important points without overdoing it. If it feels right, stand during delivery for added vitality and energy. Perform vocal warmups, such as tongue twisters or simple scales, to eliminate fillers like ums and enhance overall clarity and poise.

4. Setup and Positioning for Seamless Results:

   Place the teleprompter at eye level and carefully calibrate the distance to minimise any noticeable eye shifts that could give away reading. Customise the speed, font size, and lighting to suit your comfort, ensuring readability without strain. Position the device farther away to lessen visible scanning, as wider angles help conceal subtle movements. Test all setups thoroughly before the real take. Videographers play a key role here, monitoring for unnatural cues like excessive side glances during trials to make real-time adjustments.

When to Use Teleprompters in Brand Videos

Teleprompters excel in structured scenarios like tutorials or announcements where precision is key. However, you should assess the speaker's confidence, the volume of content, and time constraints before deciding. If the presenter is eloquent and comfortable, skip the teleprompter for an unscripted, heartfelt delivery that feels more authentic, such as a CEO sharing market updates straight from the heart. For extensive content or tight schedules, teleprompters ensure efficiency and accuracy, keeping you on track without mistakes. Always consider the video’s purpose to make the right call, blending scripted precision with improvisation for a fresh, engaging result. Striking this balance is crucial, and often, the available time will be the deciding factor in choosing the best approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I avoid looking like I’m reading from a teleprompter?

   Position the teleprompter at eye level near the lens to maintain natural eye contact. Practise extensively to internalise the script, using outlines to allow conversational phrasing.

2. Why does my delivery sound robotic on a teleprompter?
   A robotic tone often comes from over-reliance on the script or lack of vocal variety. Vary your pace, add pauses, and use subtle gestures to mimic natural speech.

3. When should I skip using a teleprompter?
   If you’re confident and eloquent, opt for unscripted delivery for heartfelt content like CEO updates. Teleprompters work best for precise, structured videos with tight timelines.

4. How do I relax before using a teleprompter?
   Walk through the process with your team and ensure ample time for setup and practise. This reduces pressure and helps you feel at ease during recording.

5. Can videographers help improve my teleprompter performance?
   Yes, videographers can monitor for unnatural cues like eye darting during test runs, adjusting setup or coaching you to enhance authenticity.

Ready to implement these teleprompter tips in your brand video? Reach out to Devilboy Productions for customised solutions that capture your true voice. Head to our contact page to begin.