Using a teleprompter is straightforward, but using one well takes a little practice. This guide walks you through everything from writing your script to delivering it naturally on camera.
Whether you're recording YouTube videos, filming a product demo, or delivering a keynote, a teleprompter lets you maintain eye contact with your audience while reading from a prepared script. No memorisation. No cue cards. No awkward glances off-screen.
Step 1: Write a Script That Sounds Natural
The biggest mistake people make with teleprompters is reading a script that was written for the page, not the screen. Your teleprompter script should sound like you're talking to a friend, not reading an essay.
- Use short sentences. Anything over 20 words is hard to read at speed
- Use contractions. "you're" not "you are," "it's" not "it is"
- Break up paragraphs. Short blocks of 2-3 sentences are easier to track while scrolling
- Add pause markers . Use "..." or a blank line where you want to breathe or emphasise a point
Step 2: Open Your Teleprompter
If you're using a free online teleprompter like LilPrompter, just open it in your browser. No downloads, no accounts, no setup. Paste your script into the text area and you're ready.
If you have multiple sections or takes, use tabs to organise different scripts so you can switch between them without copy-pasting mid-session.
Step 3: Set Your Font Size and Scroll Speed
Font size and scroll speed are the two settings that make or break your teleprompter experience. Get these wrong and you'll either squint at the screen or race through your words.
- Font size: if you're reading from 2-3 feet away, 48px or larger is comfortable. From across the room, go bigger.
- Scroll speed: start slower than you think you need. You can always increase speed once you're comfortable. A good starting point is slightly slower than your natural reading pace.
Step 4: Position Your Screen Near the Camera
This is the step most people skip, and it's the one that matters most. The closer your teleprompter text is to your camera lens, the more natural your eye contact looks to viewers.
- Laptop webcam: run the teleprompter in fullscreen on the same device. The text is already right below the lens.
- External camera: place a second screen or tablet directly below or beside the camera lens.
- Hardware beam-splitter rig . Enable mirror mode in LilPrompter so the text reads correctly when reflected.
Step 5: Do a Practice Run
Before you hit record, read through the entire script once at your chosen speed. This single practice run does three things:
- Catches awkward phrasing . Sentences that looked fine on paper often sound wrong when read aloud
- Calibrates your speed . You'll know immediately if the scroll is too fast or too slow
- Builds muscle memory . Your second read will always be smoother than your first
Step 6: Record
Start your camera recording, then hit play on the teleprompter. Read at a natural pace. Don't worry about keeping up perfectly with the scroll. Let it get slightly ahead of you, take a breath, and catch back up. This creates natural pauses that sound conversational rather than robotic.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Reading too fast. The teleprompter sets the pace, not you. If you're racing, slow the scroll down.
- Using tiny text. If you have to squint, your eyes will dart and your audience will notice
- Skipping the practice run . One read-through eliminates 80% of stumbles
- Placing the screen too far from the camera . Your eyes will obviously shift direction when reading
Start Using a Teleprompter Today
You don't need expensive equipment or complicated software. LilPrompter is a free online teleprompter that works in any browser with adjustable speed, mirror mode, multiple scripts, and a clean dark interface. No signup, no downloads, no ads. Open it and start reading.