| Imagine you are an elite athlete, at the peak of your | | | | can set and forget. |
| fitness and paid a quarter of a million dollars a year | | | | 4. Work Out The Best Microphone For The Situation |
| by the top premiership-winning team. | | | | - Impact, Freedom and Mobility |
| You have played the game of your career against | | | | A lapel microphone is very small and uses a clip to |
| your hometown rival in one of the biggest matches | | | | attach to clothing of the presenter. |
| of the year. | | | | If you want to move around and away from the |
| You're exhausted, elated and asked to come to the | | | | podium it takes the place of a more static-position |
| podium to accept the medal for best player in the | | | | microphone. |
| match. | | | | The lapel microphone is plugged into a console which |
| With a live, nationwide television audience watching, | | | | is attached to your belt and can amplify your voice |
| including hundreds of thousands of children to whom | | | | without you having to hold onto it. |
| you are a role model and hero ... you utter the | | | | They are often wireless and linked back to the main |
| following words in your acceptance speech ..."let's | | | | PA system. |
| have a f...ing good year". | | | | This is my preferred style of microphone. |
| This was midfielder Michael Braun from the West | | | | As you get more experienced you learn to ignore |
| Coast Eagles who was fined 5,000 dollars for | | | | the microphone and even use the tilt and angle of |
| swearing in public after being awarded the Ross | | | | your head to vary your volume, tone and timbre into |
| Glendinning Medal after the western derby in Perth | | | | the microphone. |
| recently. | | | | One trap for people. If you are using a lapel |
| This one remark uttered in the adrenalin rush of | | | | microphone, make sure you have turned it off |
| sport has done irreversible damage to the brand and | | | | before you go to the toilet. |
| reputation of both the West Coast Eagles Football | | | | I've heard of speakers relieving themselves only to |
| Club and the Australian Football League (AFL). | | | | find out the whole audience heard everything |
| This is why the AFL Commission met with the Eagles | | | | because their lapel microphone was still on and |
| to deal with issues relating to off-field player | | | | broadcasting to the whole auditorium! |
| behaviour. | | | | The headset microphone is a variation but I've found |
| The Eagles have been put on notice that if they | | | | headsets a little cumbersome and intrusive to work |
| appear before the Commission again they will be | | | | with. |
| subject to the full force of the 1.6 rule of conduct | | | | 5. Work Out The Best Microphone For The Situation |
| unbecoming which can lead to a fine, suspension, loss | | | | - Impact, Impact and Impact |
| of draft picks or premiership points. | | | | There is no doubt a hand held microphone gives you |
| So what is the point of sharing this story with you, | | | | the greatest vocal range and control. |
| especially if you have no idea what AFL is, who the | | | | This is why it is so popular with entertainers and |
| Eagles are and who Michael Braun is? | | | | performers. |
| Well, it demonstrates the importance of choosing | | | | As a professional public speaker I find I like to use all |
| your words carefully when giving a speech. | | | | my body for kinaesthetic speaking and find holding a |
| It reminded me of the golden rules of microphone | | | | hand-held microphone gets in the way of my body |
| technique. | | | | movement. |
| Here are ten tips on microphone technique to | | | | 6. Be Familiar With The "On and Off" Switch |
| maximise your message, and not ruin your reputation, | | | | Even seasoned professionals can get caught out and |
| when giving a speech. | | | | it reflects badly on you as a presenter. |
| 1. Never Swear In Front Of A Microphone | | | | Spend time becoming familiar with the on and off |
| I learnt this golden rule whilst a broadcaster at the | | | | switch. I've lost count the number of times a speaker |
| Australian Broadcasting Corporation. | | | | looks unprofessional when on stage they say "how |
| Never ever swear in front of a microphone because | | | | do you turn this thing on" or some variation. |
| you never know when it is on! | | | | 7. Watch For Feedback |
| This mistake can cost you money, such as $5,000 | | | | Feedback is really annoying for the audience. |
| but your personal or professional reputation is | | | | Walk around the stage and room checking for |
| priceless. | | | | feedback spots and adjust accordingly. |
| Remember you can never take it back so it is better | | | | 8. Use The Clenched Fist Rule |
| to be disciplined in the first place. | | | | Again, I learnt this at the ABC with legendary |
| 2. Use A Microphone If More Than 30 People | | | | broadcaster and speech coach Arch McKirdy. |
| The human voice is a delicate instrument. | | | | He taught me the best way to position the |
| Treat it with respect. Do not strain it because you | | | | microphone in relation to your mouth and lips is to |
| can do long term and irreversible damage. | | | | make a clenched fist and this is the optimal distance |
| Always ask for and use a microphone if there are | | | | the microphone should be from your mouth. |
| more than 30 people in the audience. | | | | 9. Speak Directly Into The Microphone |
| Explain to the organisers what type of microphone | | | | Broadcasters hate to be "off mike" because the |
| you want well before you speak. | | | | sound quality is poor. |
| I usually have a set of AV requirements that I send | | | | Always speak directly into a microphone. Use a |
| to a conference organiser at least six weeks before | | | | windsock if external noise or to avoid popping with |
| I present. This includes my preferred type of | | | | the letter "p". |
| microphone, lighting and how I want the stage set | | | | 10. Always Do A Sound Check |
| up. | | | | Do a sound check before you present. |
| 3. Work Out The Best Microphone For The Situation | | | | Check the whole stage for feedback spots. |
| - Impact, Peace of Mind and Hassle Free | | | | Treat the professional sound crew with respect, |
| A podium microphone is going to give you maximum | | | | introduce yourself and explain clearly what you want |
| impact for a Presidential style presentation where | | | | to do and rehearse especially for a complex |
| you use the podium as an anchor point. | | | | presentation. |
| The benefits of using a podium microphone are | | | | Thank them afterwards. Once you are ready to go |
| peace of mind and a hassle free speech because you | | | | on turn the microphone on. |