How to Work with a Teleprompter Operator

The relationship between speaker and teleprompter operator is a partnership. When it works well, the technology becomes invisible and your message shines. Here's how to build that seamless collaboration.

Before the Event

• Send scripts early—even drafts help operators prepare
• Note pronunciation challenges—names, technical terms, foreign words
• Share your experience level—operators adjust their approach accordingly
• Communicate preferences—font size, scroll style, text position

During Rehearsal

• Speak up about speed—too fast? too slow? say so immediately
• Practice problem sections—identify and rehearse tricky passages
• Establish signals—how will you communicate during the live event?
• Build rapport—you're a team working toward the same goal

During Performance

• Trust your operator—they're watching you constantly
• Pause naturally—good operators stop scrolling when you pause
• If lost, stay calm—operators can help you find your place
• Keep going through mistakes—the audience doesn't have the script

What Great Operators Do

Professional operators anticipate your needs: speeding up through easy sections, slowing for emphasis, stopping for ad-libs, and recovering smoothly from the unexpected. They're reading you as much as you're reading the prompter.