When someone invites me to be the lecturer at their conference, they usually get a list of questions from me first. Questions that help me prepare myself for the lecture and to create the unique experience for the audience.
At first, these questions cause panic and fear among the organizers, but they soon realize these questions can help them prepare themselves better for the organization of the conference.
Knowing whether a microphone will be available for my presentation is crucial. It’s not just about whether I’ll use it but also about the type of microphone provided. A handheld mic, a handsfree “Britney” mic, or a podium microphone? Each option has its own benefits and challenges, and a skilled presenter knows how to make the most of any situation. But let’s not forget that microphone hygiene matters too. (Yes, we’ll talk about that!)
Questions I like to ask:
If the conference organizers asks if you want to use a microphone, what should you do? Well, I ask them a couple of questions first, like:
- Will a wireless microphone be available?
- If so, will it be handheld, handsfree, or clip-on (the one clipped to clothing)?
- Can I choose which microphone to use?
- If not, what is the standard option for all presenters?
- How is the sound system set up in the room?
- Will I have time to test the microphone before my presentation?
- Who will provide me a mic and where? Will that person help me install it?
- Is there a backup microphone available?
- What happens if the microphone stops working mid-presentation or its batteries lose power? Who will bring me a replacement?
- Is a microphone even necessary?
- Depending on the room size and acoustics, a microphone might not be needed if the presenter is skilled enough to be heard clearly even in the back rows.
Why do I ask this?
I often adapt my clothing to the microphone I’ll be using. If I know I’ll have a microphone with a transmitter, I make sure to wear pants with a belt to attach the transmitter and leave my shirt untucked, so the microphone cable can connect to the transmitter without pulling on my clothes.
If the microphone is a clip-on and will be attached to my clothes, I choose to wear darker colors, so that microphone is invisible.
The types of microphones commonly found at conferences are:
1. Handheld Microphone (for dynamics):
A handheld microphone enhances voice dynamics and is great for presenters who love to control the tone and volume of their speech. Having spent countless hours on stage and with microphones, I know how to adjust my voice by moving the mic closer to or further from my mouth to emphasize certain expressions or create an effect while whispering.
However, it occupies one hand, while the other holds a clicker, leaving me to choose between gesturing or using the clicker. Gestures are key to my energy on stage.
In the photo on the left, you can see me holding a handheld microphone in one hand and explaining slide details with the other. It may not be obvious, but the clicker is in the same hand as the microphone. It’s possible – it just takes practice!
2. Handsfree Microphone (freedom!):
A handsfree microphone frees up both hands, allowing for larger gestures on stage, which is especially useful in large venues. In larger rooms, the audience needs to see your full arm movements, while in smaller rooms, just your palms may suffice.
In the cover photo, taken on the large stage at the “Conversion” conference, I’m wearing a headworn microphone, holding a clicker in one hand, while my other hand is free for gesturing.
(I don’t even need to mention that I sometimes get so caught up in storytelling and gesticulating on stage or in a classroom that I’ve managed to knock the pointer out of my own hand. So, occasionally “taming” me by giving me a handheld microphone isn’t such a bad idea. 🙂 )
However, a handsfree microphone doesn’t forgive mistakes, as it captures every movement and even records a whisper. If you’re not used to it, it’s easy for the audience to hear unintended sounds, like sighs or hum, especially before you’ve even stepped on stage!
Handsfree microphones are smaller than standard ones and often come with a transmitter, which needs to be placed in a pocket or clipped onto clothing. I usually wear a belt for this purpose, as it’s easier to attach the transmitter to a belt than to put it in a pants pocket, where it might accidentally turn off when sitting. Clipping it to a belt at the back makes the transmitter easily accessible, especially for turning it on or off.
In the photo on the right, also taken at the “Konverzija” conference, you can see the back of a speaker wearing a handsfree microphone. As I mentioned earlier, I intentionally wore my shirt untucked and added a belt to my pants so that the microphone transmitter could be placed in my back pocket. It’s important to ensure that the microphone cable runs behind your back and under your shirt, without pulling on your clothes or being visible.
When setting up a handsfree microphone, it’s crucial to know who will assist you with it, where they will help, and how early before your presentation you need to arrive at the designated spot. Before the microphone is set up, I always unbutton the top two or three buttons of my shirt to make it easier for the technician to thread the cable and transmitter through my clothing and I make sure not to forget to button them up again!
Important tip for female presenters:
Always check the type of microphone offered at the conference. If you’re given a handsfree microphone, choose an outfit that can accommodate the transmitter or through which the microphone cable can be threaded. Tight-fitting dresses are generally unsuitable for the stage for many reasons, one of which is the difficulty of hiding or managing a microphone transmitter.
Handsfree microphones typically come in two types:
a) Headworn microphone (“Britney mic”, a microphone that Britney Spears used on many performances), visible on the cover photo, ideal for large venues and often used at conferences. It offers good dynamics for sound systems, recordings, or live streaming.
b) Clip-on microphone, which attaches to clothing near the chest or collar. Its cable must be threaded through your outfit, and you need to be mindful of its position to avoid hitting it with your hands or clothing. It’s also a good idea to choose dark-colored clothing for the upper body to make the typically black microphone less conspicuous.
As you can see from the photo on the right side, taken 2022. at Superweek conference, it is not that bad to choose the dark clothes for your upper body in order to make that microphone (which is usually black) and its cable less visible.
3. Podium Microphone (static, boring):
A podium microphone, the one that stands on the booth/lectern is perfect for presenters who prefer to stand still or those with stage fright who need the stability of a podium. It’s also ideal for keeping the presenter in one spot, such as for TV recording or teleprompter use, which is why politicians often favor it. While it allows you to control voice dynamics, it’s not ideal for presenters who like to move around the stage and maintain eye contact with different sections of the audience. Technicians also like it because they don’t have to replace it for every speaker, unlike handsfree microphones, of which there always need to be at least two.
However, this type of microphone is not ideal for speakers who like to move around the stage and maintain eye contact with different parts of the audience.
In the photo on the left, you can see me at a smaller conference room during the Marketing Analytics Summit in London. I didn’t want to be “tied” to the lectern with its fixed microphone, so I decided to use the entire stage and speak like actors in a theater: projecting from the diaphragm and opening my mouth wider.
It’s as if you’re trying to explain something to a friend through a tram window while they’re standing outside at the stop.
Podcast vs. Stage: Key Differences
Podcast microphones are often designed to capture sound from the entire room, usually in controlled, quiet environments. On stage, this is not an option (unless it is a handsfree Britney-mic). Stage microphones need to be closer to the mouth to avoid picking up unwanted background noise and to prevent feedback. Dynamic microphones are more commonly used on stage, especially in noisier environments or for handheld mics.
Microphone Hygiene (yes, it matters!)
Nobody wants to use a microphone that’s clearly survived more conferences than all the presenters combined.
If you’re an organizer:
- Provide disinfectant wipes with every microphone.
- Ensure microphone covers are regularly replaced.
- Educate presenters on proper microphone use to keep them clean and functional.
How to use a microphone on stage
- Don’t blow into the microphone! Test the sound by speaking a few normal words.
- Don’t touch the top of the microphone with your hands! It can cause noise and increase feedback risk.
- Hold a handheld microphone below chin level, close to your mouth. This reduces the chances of “popping” sounds and prevents lipstick marks on the mic.
- Watch out for the head movements! If you turn your head towards the slide to explain something and forget about the mic in the other hand, your audience will hear nothing from you.
- Position a handsfree microphone so it doesn’t touch your face. If it does, it may create unwanted noise.
- Avoid clip-on microphones touching your clothes. Rustling sounds can ruin the audience’s experience.
My Approach:
- Testing Equipment Beforehand: I always test the microphone before presenting. If I don’t get the chance, I speak as though explaining something to a friend on a noisy street.
- Adapting to the Room Style: A large room calls for a handsfree microphone, while smaller rooms often allow me to use a handheld mic for added control.
- Listening to Recordings of Myself: Although I hate hearing my own voice (and everyone hates their own voice), this helps me understand how I sound with different microphones.
Practical Tips for Presenters:
- Learn to handle various types of microphones.
- Test the sound before your presentation.
- Listen to recordings of your talks.
- Improvise – if the microphone fails, the audience will forgive you if you remain confident.
(mic drop)
Take a look at other questions for conference organizers, which help me prepare myself for the audience.
Also, if you want me to help you organize your event or to hire some great speakers, do no hesitate to contact me 🙂