Here’s a presentation tip that might just change everything: write your slides at the very end. Not at the beginning. Not halfway through. Only once you know what you’re going to say.
Too often, people start with slides. They fill them with text, graphs, animations—and then build their talk around them. But that puts your visuals in control of your message, rather than the other way around. Strong presentation skills mean you lead the message. Your slides support you, not the other way round.
Start by working out what you want to say. What are your key messages? What do you want your audience to think, feel, and do? Once that’s clear, only then decide if you need slides. And if you do, ask yourself what they’re there to do. Do they help clarify? Do they simplify something? Do they add emotion?
If the answer is no, ditch them. Not every presentation needs slides. In fact, sometimes they get in the way. Audiences are there to listen to you, not to read.
Writing your slides last also helps you stay present. It stops you reading from the screen. It keeps you connected to your audience. And that’s when great presenting happens—when you’re talking with people, not pointing at a slide deck.
So next time you’re getting ready to present, leave the slides till last. Or better yet, try going without.
For more information about our training programmes visit:
https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training
When you think of “presentation skills,” what comes to mind? For many, it’s something formal, stiff, or worse—boring. But presenting doesn’t have to be corporate and dry. In fact, the best presentations are often the most enjoyable - for both you and your audience.
Having fun isn’t just allowed. It’s essential. When you enjoy what you’re doing, your energy is infectious. You’re more relaxed, more natural, and far more engaging. People don’t want to be lectured to. They want to feel like they’re having a conversation. And if you’re having fun, they’ll come along for the ride.
Presentation skills are about storytelling, humour, and personality. You don’t need to put on a performance or be someone you’re not. But you do need to let some of the real you show. Bring warmth, show enthusiasm, and don’t be afraid to laugh - even at yourself.
Many organisations still hang onto an outdated idea of what “professional” looks like. But things have moved on. Presentations that connect are often more informal, more conversational, and more real. It’s about speaking with - not at - your audience.
So next time you’re planning a presentation, ask yourself: how can I make this more enjoyable? Because when you’re having a good time, your audience will too. For more information about our training programmes visit: https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training
Presenting complex material can feel like a real challenge. Whether you’re delivering data-heavy insights, technical content, or strategic updates, your job is to make it all feel accessible. That’s where strong presentation skills come into play.
One of the most powerful tools is pace. The temptation is to rush through tricky information to get it over with. But slow down. Allow your audience time to absorb what you’re saying. Speak clearly, pause to let things land, and give them the space to follow along.
Another vital skill is managing the information. Don’t try to say everything all at once. Chunk your content. Focus on the main message and build from there. Break it into sections that logically lead from one to the next.
Drip feeding facts and figures is far more effective than overloading people with stats in one go. Use one clear example, then explain what it means. Add a stat to back it up. Then move on. That rhythm keeps your audience engaged, not overwhelmed.
And finally, the golden rule of great presenting - speak to a real person. Don’t let the complexity of your subject matter strip away your natural communication style. Imagine one person sitting across from you and speak to them directly. Use everyday language. Make eye contact. Smile. When you speak like a human, your audience will connect with you - even when the topic is tough.
What’s the one thing you want your audience to talk about afterwards? That’s your watercooler moment – the idea, phrase or moment in your talk that’s so powerful, people remember it long after they’ve left the room.
In public speaking, being memorable is a skill. You might deliver a perfectly structured presentation, but if it doesn’t stick in people’s minds, it won’t lead to real impact. At The Presenter Studio, we help clients create standout moments that people quote, reference and share – the moments that make a talk truly worth talking about.
A watercooler moment could be a brilliant analogy, a striking visual, a bold statistic, or a moment of unexpected vulnerability. It could be something funny, something moving, or something smartly provocative. But whatever it is, it needs to be intentional. It shouldn’t feel gimmicky – it should reinforce your message in a powerful, emotional, or surprising way.
For example, maybe you’re talking about the speed of change in your industry. Rather than saying it’s “fast,” you could show a time-lapse video of how quickly consumer trends shift in a month. Maybe you’re presenting a new product – instead of listing features, tell the story of the one customer whose life was completely changed by it. Maybe you open with a question no one expects. Or close with a quote that ties everything together.
Watercooler moments aren’t about showing off. They’re about resonance. They give your audience something to hold onto – something they can pass on, remember, and emotionally engage with.
When we coach speakers at The Presenter Studio, we build these moments in from the very start of planning – not as an afterthought, but as a core part of the talk’s structure.
Want to create a presentation that people don’t just hear – but talk about? Visit The Presenter Studio to learn more: https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training
A confident speaker is a prepared speaker. Yet so many people still go into important talks having barely practised. They may have reviewed their slides, jotted down some notes, or run through it quietly in their head – but that’s not the same as standing up and delivering it out loud.
One of the most effective ways to rehearse is with a trusted colleague. Someone who knows the business context, understands the audience, and is able to give you constructive feedback. At The Presenter Studio, we always say: rehearse as if it’s the real thing. Because when the pressure is on, muscle memory matters.
Practising with a colleague helps you in several ways. First, it gets you used to speaking your thoughts in real time – ironing out clunky phrases or moments where you stumble. It also helps you build timing. You'll discover if you’re rushing or dragging. And most importantly, you’ll hear how it sounds when you actually say it.
But don’t just run through your talk – ask for feedback. Ask them what they remember. Where they lost interest. Whether your message was clear. You don’t want surface-level reassurance – you want useful insight.
This kind of practice also helps calm your nerves. Speaking in front of one person is a powerful stepping stone to speaking in front of fifty. It’s like working your way up through performance reps – so that by the time you’re on stage, you feel more in control and less like you’re improvising.
At The Presenter Studio, we simulate real-life presenting environments and teach practical rehearsal techniques that can be used alone or with others. From internal meetings to keynote speeches, we make sure you're never winging it.
If you want to turn nerves into clarity and hesitation into confidence, check out our full public speaking training here: https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training
In public speaking, being seen as warm and relatable is just as important as being informative. Audiences don’t just want facts – they want to feel something. They want to feel connected to you. And the most successful speakers know how to strike that perfect balance between authority and approachability.
At The Presenter Studio, we train our clients to lead with warmth – because it builds trust. And trust makes your message more memorable, persuasive and impactful.
So how do you come across as warm? It’s not about being overly smiley or rehearsed. It’s about creating a sense of genuine connection. First up: smile when it feels right. A natural smile at the start of your talk goes a long way in lowering the temperature in the room and inviting people in.
Next, make eye contact. Not with the back wall. Not with your slides. But with your audience. Move your gaze across the room. Look at individual people – hold their attention for a moment, then move on. This gives everyone a sense that you’re speaking with them, not just at them.
Language matters too. Speak conversationally. Avoid jargon. Imagine explaining your ideas to someone over a coffee, not reading them out of a report. Let your personality come through in the way you talk. It doesn’t dilute your professionalism – it enhances your credibility.
What you wear and how your slides look can also add or take away warmth. Choose clothing that feels authentic to you and appropriate to the environment – not overly formal, but still polished. When it comes to slides, go for visual simplicity and storytelling, not pages of text. Slides should support your presence, not compete with it.
Public speaking is an opportunity to show not just what you know, but who you are. And when your audience likes you, they’ll listen more closely.
To develop your own warm, authentic speaking style, explore our coaching at The Presenter Studio: https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training
In media appearances, how you look matters – not just in terms of style, but in terms of story. Your clothes send a message. They say something before you’ve even opened your mouth. So what are they saying about your brand?
At The Presenter Studio, one of the first things we ask clients is: Does what you’re wearing reflect the tone and feel of your business? For example, if you’re a relaxed, creative founder, a stiff suit might make you look out of step with your brand identity. Equally, if you’re representing a high-end corporate firm, a casual t-shirt might feel off-brand or unprepared.
Your appearance should support – not contradict – your message. It’s not about fashion. It’s about consistency. Colour, texture, formality, accessories – all these elements help create a visual impression that needs to align with how you want to be perceived.
And it’s not just about the brand. It’s about you, too. You need to feel comfortable and confident. Clothes that feel unfamiliar or awkward will impact how you move, how you sit, how you speak. The best on-camera looks are those that make you feel like the best version of yourself.
In our media training at The Presenter Studio, we offer advice not just on performance, but on styling – what works on camera, what to avoid, and how to find the sweet spot between your brand and your personality. Whether it’s a big studio interview or a social media video, we help you look the part and own the room.
To find out more about how we can prepare you for success in the spotlight, head to: https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/media-training
One of the biggest mistakes people make in interviews – whether on TV, radio or online – is trying to say too much. In an effort to be thorough, they waffle. They lose focus. And ultimately, their main point gets lost in a sea of words.
That’s why a cornerstone of great media training at The Presenter Studio is helping clients identify and deliver their key messages. What do you want your audience to remember? What is the one thing you'd say if you only had 20 seconds?
The media doesn’t give you long. A live radio interview might last five minutes, a TV clip might be just 30 seconds. So your job is to edit yourself – to go in prepared with sharp, relevant, and memorable points.
Think of it like packing for a short trip: only take what you absolutely need. The rest is just extra weight. Great communicators don’t ramble – they distil.
To get started, write down three things you want your audience to remember. Then practise saying each one in a single sentence. That’s your foundation. From there, you can add supporting examples, stats or stories if time allows – but you’ve already done the hard part.
Our media training sessions at The Presenter Studio are designed to sharpen your message and help you deliver it with clarity and confidence. We simulate real media environments, offer tailored feedback, and help you learn to stay on track under pressure.
To make your message cut through, visit our media training page and see how we can help: https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/media-training
Facing a camera can feel unnatural. There's no eye contact, no nodding head, no visible reaction – just a black lens staring back at you. It's no wonder many people freeze, overthink their delivery, or come across as wooden on screen. But here’s one of the most effective – and surprisingly simple – techniques we teach at The Presenter Studio: treat the camera as if it were a real person.
Imagine the camera is your best client, your most engaged colleague, or your most supportive friend. The goal is to create a genuine connection. When you shift your mindset away from ‘broadcasting’ and toward ‘communicating’, your tone naturally becomes warmer, your delivery more relaxed, and your performance more authentic.
Why does this matter? Because viewers can instantly tell when something feels rehearsed or robotic. The magic of great on-camera presence lies in making the audience feel like you’re speaking directly to them, not just delivering a message. Eye-line, tone, and intention all improve when you stop seeing the lens as a threat and start seeing it as a human.
At The Presenter Studio, our clients often find that this one mental shift unlocks a whole new level of confidence. We use practical exercises and personalised coaching to help them come across as natural and connected – even when the red light is on.
If you’d like to feel more at ease on camera and learn techniques used by top broadcasters and business leaders, explore our media training services at: https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/media-training
Long presentations are tough – for you and your audience. Trying to memorise or deliver a lengthy, uninterrupted talk can feel daunting and flat. And from the audience’s perspective, it’s hard to stay engaged when the information keeps flowing without any natural breaks or moments to reset.
That’s why at The Presenter Studio, we teach clients to think of their presentations in short, focused sections. Like chapters in a book or scenes in a film, each section should carry its own clear idea, pace, and purpose. This approach not only helps structure your content more effectively, it also makes it far easier to remember and deliver.
Shorter sections give your audience room to breathe. They create rhythm. They give you the chance to reset the energy and refocus attention. A well-structured presentation should feel like a journey – with clear stepping stones rather than one long, unbroken road.
When planning your next talk, begin by breaking your topic into 3 to 5 key parts. Each part should have a clear takeaway, and ideally a shift in tone, a story, or a change in visual to keep things fresh. This structure also helps you practise more effectively – allowing you to rehearse in manageable chunks rather than trying to memorise everything in one go.
Snappy doesn’t mean superficial. You can still go deep, but in a way that’s more digestible and compelling. In today’s world of short attention spans and rapid-fire information, this format is not just nice to have – it’s essential.
To learn how to plan and structure your next presentation like a pro, explore The Presenter Studio’s expert training at: https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training
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This can be booked as a pre-training session with the Fast Track Presenter Training Programme.
Often how you look can be the reason to give you a job – plain and simple. Getting your image correct is a really important part of how you sell your brand.