Why Lecterns Give Stature & Confidence to Public Speakers
- 6 Mar 2019
Why Lecterns Give Stature and Confidence to Public Speakers
A vital tool for all different kinds of speakers, the lectern has been around for quite some time and isn’t making any plans to leave any time soon. Lecterns are frequently used by lecturers, motivational speakers, preachers and presenters alike. Other professionals like lawyers and judges use lecterns in courtrooms all over the world. So what do all these people have in common, aside from their taste in furniture?
Well, they all know how to speak confidently and convincingly, and they use their lecterns to support that skill.
One of the major factors you’ll need to consider when giving a speech, talk or presentation is whether you want to make use of the lectern. It can be a great way to bring a sense of presence to your argument, but you need to know how to use it right.
A Note on Terminology
A lectern is a slanted stand that holds your microphone and allows you to prop up your notes hands- free. Many people use the terms lectern and podium interchangeably, but a podium is something completely different. A podium is the platform you stand on while speaking behind a lectern.
Speaking behind a lectern comes with many hidden advantages. The lectern acts as a natural focus point for your audience, allowing you to keep their attention and letting them know where they can expect the speaker to stand while they’re waiting for you to begin. They also give the speaker a point of stability to hang onto, keeping them balanced while hiding any water bottles, laptops, photos, technology controls and notes you don’t necessarily want everyone to see.
Our Best-Selling Lectern
Our best-selling lectern is the V Counter Lectern Display Stand – a professional and fashionable lectern which can double as a display counter. This product is incredibly robust and long-lasting, but is also fully portable so you can move it from event to event. It’s available in both standard and deluxe options, both of which are designed and made in the UK. The standard design comes with an open back for easy access to anything stored inside, while the deluxe option comes with an added shelf and lockable door for additional security.
Other great features include:
- Added cable management.
- Available in black, silver and white wood effect finishes.
- An optional fascia kit is available which can be customised to display your company’s branding.
- Sides available in silver or white.
- Tops are available in two shape options; Keystone and Oval.
You can read more about this here.
Showing that the Speaker Is Worthy of Attention
A lectern is ideal for any type of reading or speech. Many people who are new to the world of public speaking will fret that using one will appear pretentious as they’re meant to be used by priests and experts only, but this doesn’t need to be the case!
Lecterns are used to draw attention to speakers who have something to say. If you’ve been asked to give a presentation, speech or talk, and have worked hard to create your speech, then you are the exact type of person who should be using that lectern. The lectern fulfils two roles here: indicating to the crowd that they should be listening to the person speaking, and assuring the speaker that they are worthy of that attention.
When it comes down to it, most of us aren’t natural public speakers. It takes time to learn the skill, and some of us never fully get rid of the nerves. All the same, whatever your pay grade, it’s likely you’ll have to give a talk or speech at some point or another – whether that’s taking the lectern in front of the general public, or just giving a pep talk to your office co-workers.
When it comes to public speaking, props can really come in handy. For example, many speakers will make use of a PowerPoint presentation. A lectern may seem like a minor detail when it comes to planning a speech, but it will be the point from which you deliver all of your arguments, and the point to which you return for every breath or sip of water. They can make you feel empowered in a circumstance that can make a lot of people feel pretty powerless. They let you anchor yourself at the head of a sea of people, and stop you from getting lost.
From light and portable designs to solid, more robust pieces, there are so many different types of lecterns to choose from now. Whether you’re speaking in-house or at a local event, running a workshop, training session or conference, there’s bound to be a design perfect for you.
And once you have your lectern organised, you’ll be ready to think about other key aspects of strong public speaking. You can consider things like…
- Practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the better you will get.
- Learn to relax. A chilled attitude will make your whole speech flow much more easily.
- Engage your audience. Talk to the crowd, not at them.
- Check your body language. Use your hands and face!
- Stories make a difference. Think about any anecdotes you have that are relevant to this speech.
Read more: 6 Great Tips That Will Make You a Stronger Public Speaker
If you found this article interesting, you may also enjoy…
- Choosing the Right Lectern for Your Venue
- A good lectern is important for public speaking and presentations
- How to Save Money on Lecterns
- 3 Significant Factors to Consider For Buying the Right Lectern
- The History of the Lectern
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