Think you’re a public speaker, or would like to be a better one? Then check to see if you make any of these basic mistakes. Recently, I did a 6 Stupid Mistakes Even Great Speakers Can Make and received some fun emails from it, along with some questions. A LOT of which were about audio and sound, so . . . here is round two of Mistakes Even Great Speakers Can Make – the audio edition.

Tap, tap, tap. . . . Is this thing on?

When you‘re at the lectern, just know saying that is nearly as bad as the gut wrenching, horrific sound of that silver bendy thing that holds the microphone at the lectern when you try to adjust it for yourself.

Did you know that microphone feedback scores higher in terms of an irritating sound than fingernails on a chalkboard? This was based on a study by the Acoustics and Audio Engineering Department at the University of Salford, U.K. (The sound of someone vomiting came in at number one. Coincidentally, that‘s how I feel when I show up to an event where the audio sucks.)

In reality, if someone can’t see you, there is still a chance for a meeting or event. If they can’t hear you – the presentation is over. Not for you maybe, but for your audience it is. I have a chapter full of SRDs (Suckification Reduction Devices) related to audio in the book “Boring Meetings Suck”, but here are some tips for being a great speaker.

Speaker Mistake 1: The “I don’t need a Microphone” Speaker Mistake.

You’re an idiot. We see it all the time with non-professional speakers. This is your JOB, you should know better than this. (Yeah, we know you can TALK LOUD). It’s the difference between an audience ‘hearing’ you as a distraction in the background to their texting versus YOU owning the presence in the room and engaging the audience. Use a microphone.

Speaker Mistake 2: You fidget with the mic cord!

Let’s start with mic skills 101. Ever show up and they have a mic that is on a wire? Like in 1985? Not ideal for many of us, but others prefer it. They frequently will have better sound and you don’t have to stress over batteries going dead. The problem? You walk with it, gradually picking up a section as you stroll to avoid tripping over it. If you’re not careful, you end up looking like this no-faced person. Standing there with a handful of cable and looking like an amateur.

Leave the playing with the microphone cable moves to the rockstars that have the choreography down to a science.

Speaker Mistake 3: NOT requesting or using new batteries

Enough of the “But I have half charge left on this one” whining. Batteries are cheap. Careers are expensive. Put in new ones! End of story.

Speaker Mistake 4: You don’t know how to run a sound board
Keep it Basic baby. You don’t need to be an audio engineer, but you do need to know what to do when you are in an environment where you DON’T have a ‘sound guy’ around you. This typically will happen in a breakout session or even hotel ballroom. What you need to know or do:

• Find the house phone and call the AV team. At least you are on the list to get help if you need it. You can always send them away later.
• Sound boards look so complicated with endless amounts of dials. But really, it’s one row of dials for each microphone (or input). The more dials, the more microphones or devices it can handle. Channel one is on the left and includes all the dials in that column. The slider (or dial) at the bottom is the volume (level) for that microphone. With any luck, maybe there is a label at the bottom of each: handheld 1, pc input, lapel 2 etc.
• Find what you’re using and slide the level up and down to test your mic volume. START low and gradually slide up. Then go out to the back of room and listen from there.
• Still can’t hear anything. Check the “Mute” button just above the volume slider. Or, the “Master volume” which typically is on the lower right and may have two sliders for left/right channel.
• YES, there is so much more you can learn, but at least know this basic move.

Speaker Mistake 5: You don’t know how to hold a microphone. Fidgeting with a wireless handheld can be equally as awful. How about those people who take the microphone and hold it at their waist? We don’t hear them, but hear what they had for lunch. The “Audio guy” compensates by maxing the level. The moment you bring it back to your mouth, you are BOOMing off the walls. So you compensate and put it back by your stomach. Or, those who gesture with the hand holding the mic. You point the mic to one end of the room to point to someone and then to other to reference something else. Good use of body movement, but your audible dialogue goes in . . . and out . . . in . . . and out again. Probably something you never thought of huh? Gesture with your free hand, not the microphone!

Also, hold it at a slight angle (so the audience can see your face) and keep it close to your mouth (1-2 inches).  Here’s my friend Jill with a quick YouTube clip

Hope these help you become a better public speaker or professional speaker. I learn more every time I’m on stage or setting up and I too, make stupid mistakes.  Hopefully we can all learn from each other and better our craft on an on-going basis.

About Jon Petz

Jon Petz is a high energy and funny motivational speaker who speaks as an opening keynote speaker for conferences and conventions around the world. He delivers energy, entertainment and inspiration. Engage your audience with a great motivational speaker. Contact him directly at (614) 456-3072 to discuss your upcoming event!