What is the most effective way to use a hand-held mic when you are giving a speech or a presentation?
I try to avoid hand-held mics because it shuts down your ability to gesture and you basically close down half of your body language. The other problem with holding a microphone when giving a speech is that, at least to me, your image seems too similar to that of a stand up comedian who have their mics in their hands because they want to access the whole range of their voice for full comedic effect.
So, I don’t recommend that you have a hand-held mic. I recommend you to use a lavalier microphone that just clips on a part of your clothing or maybe one of those showy, Hollywood ones that you attach from your ear to your face, which are fine as long as they don’t attract too much attention.
However, you cannot plan for every single speaking opportunity that you get or you can try to do so but you might not get it. There will be times when you have to use a hand-held mic. In those situations, try and make sure that you get one that is wireless so you don’t have to worry about the wire as you move around. My recommendation is that gesture with your other hand that is not holding the microphone, and occasionally change hands as well.
Just remember that you cannot move the hand that is holding the mic as it will mess with the volume of your voice- that is not an effective thing to do at all.