You’ve set up the background in your recording studio/office/environment, you’ve got a solid script to work with, and now you’re reading to get started.
Before you hit record: Take a few minutes to practice the script aloud, warm up your voice, rehearse and test record.
Work from the script or outline
Reading from a script, or an outline, is like sliding down a luge track: You’ve got guardrails to keep you on track all the way to the finish. The script ensures you don’t miss any key points, or wander too far off in the weeds explaining something, and deliver an informative, concise lecture.
Format the script in a Word document and break up multi-sentence paragraphs with multiple line breaks. This makes it easier to focus on the line you’re reading out loud.
Consider using an online teleprompter, to which you upload a script. There are several free versions.
- Position the script at the center-top of the screen, so your eyes remain level with the camera as you read.
- Scale the Word doc so it is about 4 inches in height. Using your mouse to scroll as you read. Scrolling prevents means your eyes don’t tip down and away from the webcam.
- If you’re working from hand-written notes, tape the page to the screen near the web cam.
- Post-It notes work well to create a simple outline, taped to the screen.
- If you’re using PowerPoint presenter view, scale the notes so they are near the top of your monitor (and your eyes are as level with the webcam as possible!
Warm up
Reading aloud to the end of long sentences and paragraphs takes breath energy.
Warm-up exercises make your voice stronger.
- Take 10 deep, full breaths, exhaling fully.
- Take a brisk walk around the block, or up a flight of stairs.
- Stay hydrated: Liquid keeps your vocal cords and throat feeling good.
Keep a bottle close and pause the recording any time your throat feels dry.
Rehearse
Don’t jump in cold. The key to a smooth delivery is familiarizing yourself with the script by reading it aloud (remember, it’s different than reading in your head!).
On the first rehearsal you’ll stumble over words, or phrasing, or deliver less-than-sharp lines. Reading over these stumbles in practice let’s you adjust your delivery until it smooths out.
Rehearsal reads are also a good time edit the script and make it work better for your read. Clean up wording, or troublesome sections — and experiment with intonation and inflection, varied pacing, and pauses for emphasis.
In the end, be you
Your audience will notice your passion and be drawn in by your wisdom. A recording is much more engaging listening to someone who is clearly interested in the subject matter.
Make it conversational: Visualize talking to a student or colleague. Don’t “act,” on camera, just speak conversationally.
Use non-verbal communication: Facial expressions and gestures convey meaning.
- Smile! A powerful non-verbal cue to welcome and engage your audience
- Nod or tilt your head,
- Raise your eyebrow
- Squint
- Use hand gestures to emphasize key points
Let’s be honest: This recording won’t be nominated for an Oscar award, but your thoughtful preparation will help you produce a great recording. Perfect is the enemy of good: It just has to be good.
Smile, again. You can never too many times to welcome your audience.
Test record
Make sure you sound exactly the way you want to, by test recording, and then adjusting (30 seconds is enough).
Record a short section of the script (30 seconds is usually enough time) to make sure the recording looks and sounds the way it should before you go to the trouble of recording the full script.
- Does the background look neutral, and relatively simple so its not distracting?
- How are you positioned in the frame? (Some head space above your head, positioned the right distance from the camera, neutral background, etc.)
- Is there enough light on your face?
- Is your voice clear and consistent?
Updated 10/16/26