5 Common Teleprompter Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Teleprompters have revolutionized how we deliver speeches, presentations, and video content. They allow speakers to maintain eye contact with their audience while delivering carefully crafted messages without the need for memorization. However, many presenters struggle with teleprompter use, making common mistakes that can undermine their effectiveness and credibility. In this article, we'll identify the five most frequent teleprompter errors and provide practical solutions to fix them.

Mistake #1: The "Dead-Eye" Stare

The Problem:

Perhaps the most noticeable teleprompter mistake is what industry professionals call the "dead-eye" stare. This occurs when presenters focus so intently on reading the text that their eyes become fixed and unblinking, creating an unnatural, robotic appearance. The expression lacks the natural animation that occurs during normal conversation, making the speaker appear stiff or even uncomfortable.

Why It Happens:

This mistake typically stems from:

• Anxiety about missing words
• Lack of familiarity with the content
• Too much concentration on reading rather than communicating
• Poor teleprompter positioning that requires straining to see text

The Fix:

To overcome the dead-eye stare:

• Practice conscious blinking – Initially, you may need to deliberately remind yourself to blink naturally while reading.
• Familiarize yourself with the content – When you know your material well, you can glance at the teleprompter rather than staring continuously.
• Use the "look away" technique – Occasionally look slightly away from the teleprompter during natural pauses, just as you would during normal conversation.
• Optimize your setup – Position the teleprompter at a comfortable distance and height to avoid eye strain.
• Record practice sessions – Review your eye movement and facial expressions to identify and correct unnatural patterns.

GoTeleprompter Tip: Use the larger font size option in GoTeleprompter to reduce eye strain and the need for intense focus.

Mistake #2: Inconsistent Reading Speed

The Problem:

Many teleprompter users struggle with maintaining a consistent pace. They either rush through the content to keep up with scroll speed that's too fast, or they experience awkward pauses when the text moves too slowly. This creates an uneven, sometimes jarring delivery that distracts from the message.

Why It Happens:

Speed inconsistencies usually result from:

• Improper teleprompter speed settings
• Anxiety causing accelerated speaking
• Lack of practice with the specific content
• No control over the scrolling mechanism
• Unfamiliarity with natural speaking rhythm when reading

The Fix:

To achieve consistent pacing with a teleprompter:

• Customize the scroll speed – Work with a teleprompter operator or adjust settings yourself to match your natural speaking pace.
• Use remote control options – GoTeleprompter offers remote control capabilities that allow you to subtly adjust speed as needed during your presentation.
• Practice with a timer – Time your practice runs to develop a consistent pace for each section.
• Mark your script – Add visual cues in your script to remind yourself where to slow down or speed up slightly.
• Breathe consciously – Regular breathing helps regulate your speaking pace.

GoTeleprompter Tip: Our speed memory feature saves your preferred scroll rate for different types of content, eliminating the need to recalibrate each time.

Mistake #3: The "Reading Voice" Syndrome

The Problem:

Many presenters unconsciously shift into a monotone "reading voice" when using a teleprompter. Their natural vocal variety, pitch fluctuations, and authentic enthusiasm disappear, replaced by a flat, disengaged tone. This dramatically reduces the impact of their message and disconnects them from the audience.

Why It Happens:

The reading voice syndrome typically occurs because:

• The brain shifts to "reading mode" rather than "speaking mode"
• Focus on word accuracy overshadows delivery quality
• The script uses formal written language instead of conversational tone
• Lack of emotional connection to the material
• Insufficient rehearsal with the teleprompter

The Fix:

To maintain your natural speaking voice:

• Write like you speak – Create scripts using conversational language, contractions, and your natural speech patterns.
• Add delivery notes – Include notations for emphasis, pauses, or emotional shifts directly in your script.
• Practice reading aloud regularly – Develop the skill of reading text while maintaining vocal variety.
• Record and listen – Compare your teleprompter delivery to your natural speaking voice and identify discrepancies.
• Emotionally connect – Before each recording, remind yourself of the purpose and importance of your message.

GoTeleprompter Tip: Use our highlighting feature to mark words or phrases that should receive particular emphasis or emotional delivery.

Mistake #4: Poor Script Formatting

The Problem:

Many teleprompter struggles stem not from delivery technique but from how the script itself is formatted. Long paragraphs, complex sentences, technical jargon, and poor text formatting make reading difficult, leading to stumbles and an unnatural delivery.

Why It Happens:

Poor formatting issues typically arise from:

• Transferring written documents directly to teleprompter without adaptation
• Lack of understanding of teleprompter reading requirements
• Font size or color choices that strain the eyes
• Insufficient line spacing or margins
• No visual distinction between sections or topics

The Fix:

To create teleprompter-friendly scripts:

• Use short paragraphs – Break text into smaller chunks for easier visual processing.
• Simplify sentence structure – Favor direct, straightforward sentences over complex constructions.
• Insert line breaks at natural pauses – Format the text to match how you'll actually deliver it.
• Use a large, clear font – Minimize eye strain with appropriate text size and style.
• Incorporate visual cues – Use bold text, ALL CAPS, or color coding to mark transitions or emphasis points.

GoTeleprompter Tip: Our template feature allows you to save your preferred formatting settings for consistent, easy-to-read scripts every time.

Mistake #5: The "Mechanical Movement" Problem

The Problem:

Many teleprompter users become so focused on reading that they forget to incorporate natural body language and movement. They stand rigidly in place, with minimal facial expressions and gesture unnaturally or not at all. This creates a disconnected, stiff presentation style that undermines credibility and engagement.

Why It Happens:

Mechanical movement typically occurs because:

• Mental focus is entirely consumed by reading
• Anxiety about maintaining eye contact with the camera
• No planned moments for natural movement
• Physical tension from maintaining a fixed position
• Lack of practice integrating movement with teleprompter reading

The Fix:

To incorporate natural movement and expression:

• Script gesture cues – Add notes in your script where specific hand movements or expressions would enhance your message.
• Practice until comfortable – Rehearse until reading becomes second nature, freeing mental bandwidth for expression.
• Record full-body practice sessions – Review your body language and make adjustments.
• Include movement breaks – Plan specific moments to step away from the teleprompter briefly for more dynamic segments.
• Warm up physically – Before recording, do brief exercises to release tension and prepare for natural movement.

GoTeleprompter Tip: Our dual-screen capability allows your script notes (including gesture reminders) to appear on a separate monitor, keeping your main teleprompter text clean and focused.

Conclusion: Mastering the Teleprompter

The teleprompter is a powerful tool that, when used correctly, allows presenters to combine the precision of prepared content with the authenticity of natural delivery. By recognizing and addressing these five common mistakes, you can transform your teleprompter experience from a mechanical reading exercise to a compelling, engaging presentation.

Remember that teleprompter mastery, like any skill, improves with practice. Start by focusing on one area at a time, regularly recording and reviewing your progress. With tools like GoTeleprompter that offer customizable features designed to address these common challenges, you can accelerate your learning curve and quickly elevate your presentation quality.

The difference between amateur and professional teleprompter use isn't just about the equipment—it's about the techniques. Implement these fixes, and you'll join the ranks of polished presenters who make teleprompter use seem effortless and invisible to their audiences.