You might be in a large audience, asking a question of the speaker. You might be interviewed on stage or serving on a panel. You might be taking part in a video of spontaneous responses. Or you might lose all inhibition at the karaoke bar. In any case, you should know how to hold a hand microphone.
I learned this last week from Bill Stephens, a professional video producer, when I was participating in the Semifinals for Toastmasters International's World Championship of Public Speaking in Orlando, Florida. Bill has produced the recordings of Toastmasters International conventions for decades. He is an expert in making people look good.
Do not hold the microphone tightly in your fist, as some people will do when they are nervous. Hold it lightly in the middle of the mic with your fingertips in the front and your thumb behind. (Pick up the pen or pencil on your desk and practice right now.)
Hold the microphone just beneath your chin, so anyone taking your photo will capture you and not the microphone. Do not eat the microphone mouthpiece. Your mouth does not have to be on the mouthpiece for it to pick up your voice. And besides, you don't know where that mouthpiece has been, do you? (I always see contestants doing that on American Idol and I think, "Gross. Who has to use that microphone next? Are they going to wash that off?)
Sidenote: I came in 2nd in my Semifinal - whoo-hoo! But it was not just about the contest, I met a lot of great people from around the world. Toastmasters is a fantastic organization for learning the art of public speaking, but also for networking and developing leadership qualities.
The Etiquette Tip of the Week may be forwarded to others who really, really need it, pinned to billboards, taped to the water cooler, blogged, Twittered or used to fill that last little hole in your newsletter. Giving credit to the Culture and Manners Institute at http://www.cultureandmanners.com/ is the polite thing to do.
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