Alternatives to Teleprompters for YouTube Videos

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I’ll go into more detail about each of these alternatives to using teleprompter hardware to record YouTube videos. Some may require the purchase of an item or two, but you won’t be spending much money.

Why do alternatives to teleprompters work?

Apart from winging your presentation, all these methods work because you are giving the viewer the impression that you’re looking into the camera’s lens when in fact you are not.

When you use a teleprompter, you’re looking directly into the lens, so the viewer’s perception is that you are looking and engaging directly with them.

However, here’s the trick you’ll use.

If you position the cue card, iPad, or laptop screen as close as possible to the lens, and move far enough away, the difference in your eye-line between looking into the lens and looking at the text will be very small. If you are at least 6-10ft back, the difference is so small that the viewer will not notice any difference at all.

Now I’ve explained why these alternatives work, let’s take a detailed look at each method.

How to read a script without a teleprompter by using Cue Cards

Cue Cards, also known as Note Cards, are nothing new when it comes to helping performers remember their lines in front of the camera. They are cards that either have the speaker’s lines written on them or bullet points that help the speaker remember what they have to say next.

The use of cue cards is known to date back to the 1930s and are still used in film and TV production. They are typically held off-camera for the actor or presenter to read. In video content where the presenter isn’t looking directly into the camera, cue cards are still useful.

So why use cue cards instead of a teleprompter?

Cue cards are much more flexible than teleprompters since they can be placed anywhere on set for the presenter to read. However, teleprompters tend to be fixed in front of the camera.

When using cue cards for YouTube videos an assistant normally holds each card close to the camera lens so that the presenter’s eye line looks close to that of them looking into the camera. The assistant will switch each card for the next one as the presenter completes the text on each cue card.

To create your cue cards, print your script on sheets of paper in two or three-sentence chunks. If the paper is relatively lightweight the cue card assistant will be able to read the script (in reverse) through the paper. This will allow them to anticipate when the pages need to be switched so the presenter to continue reading from one page to the next.

A word of warning. Using cue cards involves printing many pages, so if you have a long script, you’ll use a lot of paper and ink.

Using cue cards with an assistant 

What you will need. 

• 1x Cue card assistant
• Enough printer paper or thin card for the number of cue cards you need
• 1x Roll of Duct tape

So, how do you use cue cards in your YouTube video? Just following these steps.  

Once you’ve recorded all the script import the footage into your video editor. Look for those triple claps in the audio track to locate the good takes, remember the claps are at the end of a good take. You can then cut out all the takes in between the good ones. Then cut together the remaining footage, leaving just enough space to make the gap in your speech sound natural. 

Using cue cards on your own

In this variation of the cue card method for YouTube videos you’ll be working on your own. That will make the process a little more time-consuming since you will have to switch over the cue cards yourself.

However, if you’re feeling nervous in front of the camera this method might work well for you. You’ll be recording the video in short easy to read sections that will be edited together later. It will be a less stressful experience in front of the camera. Therefore, you should find filming to be more enjoyable and that should show in your performance.

What you will need. 

• Enough printer paper or thin card for the number of cue cards you need
• 1x Roll of Scotch tape
• 1x Roll of Duct tape
• 1x Tripod light stand 

The first part of the process is broadly the same as before, but I’ll include the details again. 

How to read a script without a teleprompter by using an iPad or Tablet

Although the cue card method normally involves writing out the script on card or paper, you could try a high-tech alternative. If you compare the photograph in this section against the image in the previous cue card section you’ll realize the only difference is we’ve replaced the cue card with an iPad.

If you have an iPad, Android tablet, or a large phone you can have a teleprompter without having to buy any teleprompter hardware. What you will need to get is a light stand, a tablet tripod adapter, and also download a free (or paid-for) teleprompter app.

This method also has the benefit of not wasting paper and printer ink. So, not only is it more environmentally friendly, but it will also save you money over time.

What you will need. 

• 1x Tablet
• 1x Light stand or tripod
• 1x Tablet tripod adapter
• 1x Teleprompter app

This alternative to using a physical teleprompter makes use of putting a teleprompter app onto an iPad, or Tablet. The iPad is then mounted close to the camera lens, in terms of the presenter’s line of sight.

Typically, the iPad is mounted on a tripod or light stand and placed to the side or above the camera. However, you could also place the iPad just below the camera lens, but when doing do I prefer to raise the camera tripod a little higher than normal.

I have had success with inexpensive plastic tablet adapters like the IPOW iPad tripod mount. However, prefer the Ulanzi aluminum cold shoe tablet adapter, which feels much sturdier. The base combines a ¼”-20 tripod thread and Arca-Swiss style quick release plate, increasing the mounting options. It also includes a cold shoe mounting point on the top edge. This is for accessories like a mini shotgun mic. The Ulanzi mount can hold any tablet from an iPad mini4 up to a 12.9” iPad Pro, with an opening width of 131mm to 253mm.

To use this teleprompter alternative, here’s what to do.

When I don’t have a physical teleprompter available the iPad method is my preferred substitute. It’s simple to set up and the results usually work very well. Another bonus is that if you start with the iPad method when you can afford the teleprompter hardware you can add the iPad to the hardware as your display.

How to read a script without a teleprompter by using a laptop 

This is a variation of the tablet method that uses a laptop to display several lines of text for you to read. 

What you will need. 

• 1x Laptop
• 1x Remote control PowerPoint clicker
• 1x Laptop tripod stand or a table and pile of books
• 1x Word processor or presentation software 

Put your script on a laptop and mount the laptop in a way that puts the screen just below the camera lens. This may involve a proper laptop stand or a small table and a pile of books. Alternatively, you could put your laptop behind the camera and raise it up so that the screen, and your script, appear just above the camera. 

To save getting up to advance the script you can use a Bluetooth mouse to scroll the script forwards. 

Although you can display your script in a word processor you may find it easier to create presentation slides that are the equivalent of cue cards using software like PowerPoint or Google Slides. To advance the virtual cue cards use a Bluetooth mouse, although I found that using a wireless presentation clicker is easier and cheaper. 

Even though you are not using a teleprompter, you should try to adopt the appropriate presentation tips I have outlined in my article How to read a script while looking into the camera.

Once you’ve transferred the video file to your computer for editing, look for the spikes in the audio track to locate the end of each good take. You can then delete the takes in between and edit your keepers together.

Winging your video delivery without a teleprompter

Some YouTubers are so compelling when they speak on camera. They make it seem as if they can easily entertain, inspire, and speak directly to their viewers. That’s one of the reasons why they acquire thousands or even millions of subscribers, people find they like watching.

You’ve already figured out that although their performance seems so effortless, it’s not easy to do.

That might be the case, but don’t think that some people appear comfortable and easy in front of the camera solely because it comes naturally to them. I believe the ability to wing it on camera is a skill that can be learned.

It’s not about trying to be yourself and hoping that will make everything in your video turn out fine.

To successfully wing it in your video you need to hook your audience.

But how do you do that?

Consider who is your audience and then either open with an interesting or controversial statement or lead with a great anecdote that everyone can relate to. People love stories, especially if they can imagine themselves in it.

Once you’re ready to record I’m sure you’ll find your hook or anecdote easy to recall, but how do you remember the rest of your presentation?

You should prepare a list of sub-topics that logically run from one to the other. That list will not only keep you on track but will also remind you of what you need to say.

Write the list down and attach the notes beside the camera. You’ll be able to read them, and your occasional glances away from the camera will look natural as if you’re thinking about what you’re going to say next. Previously I’ve said you should maintain eye contact with your audience, but don’t overdo it. You don’t want your attempt at maintaining teleprompter eye contact to become a creepy stare.

You have your list to keep you moving forward and on track. Now incorporate examples to illustrate your key points and keep your audience engaged and entertained. For maximum effect demonstrate what you’re talking about with props or b-roll video clips.

Think of it as a show and tell presentation at elementary school. Not only will your audience appreciate it, but you’ll also find it easier to speak naturally because you’re interacting with something.

Finally, practice and hone your delivery. If possible, practice in front of a small group of family, friends, or colleagues. You’ll get a feel of what works and what needs improving.

In summary, think of an opening that will make your viewers take notice. Make a list of sub-topics of what you want to cover. Include props or b-roll that you can talk about. And practice.

Your delivery will appear as if you’re winging it, but both you and I will know the secret to you speaking engagingly off-the-cuff is preparation.

Summary

There you go, you now have four or five methods you can use as alternatives to teleprompters for YouTube videos. They include cheap and cheerful cue cards, which you could even write out with a marker pen, to more sophisticated solutions using your iPad or tablet. The reason they work is that you can trick the viewer into thinking you are looking at them by looking into the camera’s lens, whereas you’re looking slightly off to one side (or above or below).

These solutions are cheaper than buying quality teleprompter hardware and avoid some of the restrictions of a teleprompter. For instance, teleprompters are fixed in front of the camera, but the alternatives can easily be placed anywhere on the set. A handy feature to have when recording interviews.

Good luck with your video project. If you found this article useful, please consider sharing it because that would help me out.