When you pitch your deal to a room full of investors, you must ensure that everyone can easily hear you. For that reason, microphones are critically important in large or noisy rooms. To work well, these highly specialized pieces of equipment need to be used properly.
When pitching to investors, the handheld mike is most common, but you may come across a lavalier or a podium mike. The conference call phone is like a microphone, but it doesn’t amplify your voice in the room; it amplifies your voice to those on the phone call.
The key thing to know when using a microphone is that, to project sound properly, you must hold the microphone the right distance away from the source of the sound. Unfortunately, that distance depends on the style of microphone you use. Here are some sound-equipment options for your pitch to investors:
Handheld (wireless or wired): A mike in the traditional shape. The wireless version has batteries and no wire; the wired version has no batteries and is wired to the speaker. Hold this microphone about 6 inches from the source of the sound; 2 inches is too close, and 1 foot is too far.
Lavalier: A small microphone with clip to attach the mike to your clothing, a wire, and a control box small enough to fit in your pocket. It’s great for hands-free use. Center the microphone about 8 inches below your chin.
Conference call phone: Often black or grey, sometimes has a dial pad, and is shaped like a starfish or something you’d see on the starship Enterprise. This device is multi-directional and can usually pick up voices at distances of up to 5 feet away.
Podium microphone: This microphone is attached to the podium. Point it directly at your mouth. You get the best results when the sound source is 7 to 9 inches away from the mike.
Headset: A mike with one wire that extends from ear to ear over the top of your head and another wire that extends the microphone to the mouth. Madonna made these famous in her Vogue era.
Table integrated: Often hard to see, maybe a little bump, a blinking light, or a mesh hole in the table. One is placed in front of each seat.
