How to Use a Teleprompter on Zoom and Video Calls
Reading notes on Zoom means looking away from the camera. A teleprompter fixes that. Two setup methods and tips for corporate calls.
The biggest problem with reading notes on Zoom is eye contact. The moment you glance at your notes — on paper, a second monitor, or a sticky note — your eyes leave the camera and your audience notices. A teleprompter keeps your script scrolling right next to (or behind) the lens, so you look engaged even while reading every word.
Two Setup Methods
Method 1: Web Teleprompter on a Second Monitor
This is the easiest approach if you have an external monitor or a laptop plus a separate webcam.
- Open the GoTeleprompter web tool in a browser window.
- Move the browser window to the monitor where your webcam sits. Position the teleprompter text as close to the camera lens as possible.
- Set font size to 30+ pt so you can read from arm's distance without squinting.
- Set speed to 120–130 WPM — Zoom calls benefit from a more deliberate pace than recorded video.
- Open Zoom on your other screen (or on the same screen in a split view). Start the scroll just before you begin speaking.
Method 2: Phone App Next to the Webcam
If you only have one screen, tape or mount your phone directly next to your laptop webcam. Load your script in GoTeleprompter (in prompter mode — no recording needed), set the scroll speed, and read from the phone while Zoom uses your laptop camera.
The phone screen is small enough that your eyes barely move, making this nearly invisible to your audience.
Recommended Settings for Zoom
| Setting | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| WPM | 120–135 | Meetings are slower-paced than video; deliberate = professional |
| Font size | 30–40 pt | Readable at arm's length without leaning forward |
| Line spacing | 1.8–2x | Prevents losing your place when glancing between notes and camera |
| Margins | Wide (narrow reading column) | Keeps text near the center of the screen, closer to the webcam lens |
Corporate Use Cases
- Investor updates. Quarterly results delivered smoothly, on time, and without "um" fillers.
- All-hands presentations. Company-wide messages land better when the speaker sounds confident and prepared.
- Sales pitches. Hit every value proposition in the right order without fumbling.
- Training sessions. Consistent delivery across multiple sessions — new hires in January get the same quality as those in June.
- Webinars. A 45-minute webinar with a teleprompter stays focused. Without one, tangents eat 30% of your time.
Tips for Natural Zoom Delivery
- Pause the scroll during Q&A. When someone asks a question, tap to pause. Resume when you are back on script.
- Don't read everything. Use the teleprompter for prepared sections (intro, key messages, close) and speak freely during discussion segments.
- Practice once before the call. A single dry run in the web teleprompter catches awkward phrasing before your audience hears it.
For detailed advice on reading naturally with any teleprompter, see our natural delivery guide.
Ready to record? GoTeleprompter is free on iPhone and iPad.
The free web teleprompter