The wait is over…you’ve been working on your event for over a year. You’ve negotiated with the venue, you’ve gotten the word out to attendees, the speakers have been updated, and everything is going as planned. It’s show time!

Following the introduction, your first presenter gets up on stage and the first words out of her mouth are “Can everyone hear me?  Do I really need a mic?”  She is confident, and since her voice is loud, does she actually need to use the microphone?  A better way to address this question is to ask this question: “If 5 out of 75 attendees have to struggle to hear her presentation, what affect will that have on their conference experience?”  After all, it’s the overall experience that defines the success (or failure) of conventions, conferences, and meetings.

Speakers have a love or hate relationship with microphones.

Some speakers can’t wait to get on the mic, while others resist. Think about why we use microphones – they’re for the audience, not the presenter.  Mics are tools to ensure that everyone in attendance can hear you.  Case in point: After a presentation where the speaker refused to use a microphone, an attendee stopped me and said she could not understand the presenter. Did she miss the message of the presentation? The fact that she told me about her struggle to hear the speaker confirms that she did miss the message.

Microphones are tools to amplify your voice. Following are some speaker PRO tips:

• Familiarize yourself with the microphone – know when it’s on or off.
• If using the mic at ta lectern, place yourself at the proper distance to ensure clear delivery.
• If using a lavaliere, proper placement is important.
• Do a sound check to test how sound fills the room.
• Avoid feedback by not “crowding” the microphone.

In addition to the above tips, here are two videos worth watching. In the video “How to speak into a microphone:  Public Speaking” expert TJ Walker shows some simple tips for good microphone use. The video “How to hold a Microphone” by Jill Schiefelbein gives some additional tips.

Using the microphone correctly is a simple fix that can pay off big. Want to increase your odds in a favorable experience for all attendees? Tell all your presenters to use the microphone so everyone can hear effortlessly. The easier it is for your attendees to absorb the information, the better the experience will be for everyone.