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Gareth Davies

Gareth Davies

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

It’s one of the most common habits we see in business presentations: the speaker walks on stage, clears their throat, and plants themselves firmly behind the lectern. While it may feel safe and authoritative, staying behind a lectern can be a barrier – both physically and emotionally – between you and your audience.

The lectern acts as a comfort zone. It holds your notes, props up your laptop, and gives your hands something to do. But from a performance point of view, it can also lock you in place and restrict your ability to connect. Presenting is about more than delivering words – it’s about creating energy in the room, using body language with intention, and showing up as a confident, engaging communicator.

At The Presenter Studio, we encourage clients to treat the stage or presentation space as theirs to own. That doesn't mean pacing aimlessly or over-gesturing. It means using movement deliberately – stepping forward to make a point, pausing to let something land, using your body to underscore your message. These techniques don't just make your delivery more engaging; they help you come across as more authentic and in control.

Breaking that ‘third wall’ with your audience – making eye contact, walking towards them, using natural gestures – turns your presentation from a performance into a conversation. It’s about replacing the old-school lecture format with a more inclusive, modern style of presenting.

So next time you feel tempted to stay hidden behind the lectern, take a step out. You’ll not only feel more energised, but you’ll also make a stronger impact. To learn how to use your physical presence effectively, take a look at The Presenter Studio’s training for business professionals:  https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

Every business has a unique identity – a tone of voice, a visual style, a set of values that customers come to recognise and trust. That identity is carefully curated across websites, social media, packaging, and even customer service. Yet when it comes to presentations, it’s surprising how often that tone disappears.

Whether you're presenting at a conference, pitching to investors, or speaking to your team, your delivery should feel like a seamless extension of your brand. A bold, disruptive startup shouldn’t sound like a stiff corporate monologue. And a heritage luxury brand shouldn't feel overly casual or off-the-cuff. Your presentation style should mirror the personality and purpose of your business – otherwise, you risk confusion or even mistrust from your audience.

At The Presenter Studio, we work with businesses to help them present in a way that is not just clear and confident, but also on-brand. That means thinking about how the tone of voice, choice of language, visuals, and even your physical presence align with your company's wider identity.

Before your next presentation, ask yourself a few honest questions: Does this sound like us? Would this presentation feel at home on our website or in a client meeting? Is the tone helping or hindering the message we want to deliver?

A good presentation doesn't just inform – it reinforces your brand in the minds of your audience. To explore how we can help you match your message with your identity, visit The Presenter Studio's business presenter training page here: https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

So many people come to us saying they’ve been on a presentation skills course before—but nothing really changed. That’s often because traditional training focuses on surface-level fixes. At The Presenter Studio, we dig deeper.

We understand that presentation anxiety, poor structure or a lack of clarity often come from a disconnect between what you want to say and how you’re trying to say it. Our courses address both sides of the equation: what you’re presenting and how you’re performing it.

We start by helping you find your natural communication style. Then we work on building tools around that style so your presentations feel authentic, not rehearsed. Our clients range from CEOs to first-time speakers, and we shape each session to match individual needs. With us, you’re not just learning how to stand in front of a room—you’re learning how to own it.

From storytelling techniques to handling difficult questions, our courses equip you with the confidence and strategies to succeed. And the feedback speaks for itself—people leave our training sessions with not just skills, but a whole new mindset.

More info at: https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

Choosing the right presentation skills course can be tricky. Many promise big results, but few deliver on real impact. At The Presenter Studio, we’ve designed our courses around how people really learn—through doing, through feedback and through expert guidance that fits your unique voice.

Our training combines storytelling, body language, vocal techniques and content structuring. But what sets us apart is how personalised it is. We don’t offer cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, we work with who you are and where you want to go. Whether you need to lead internal meetings or deliver keynote speeches, our sessions are tailored to your real-world needs.

You’ll work with TV directors and communication coaches who bring out your best. They’ll help you think like a performer—so you not only inform but also inspire. Every exercise is rooted in performance psychology and media presentation techniques, refined over years of working with high-profile clients.

If you’re looking for a course that respects your individuality and boosts your presence, The Presenter Studio is here to help.

Visit: https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

For many professionals, presenting can be a nerve-wracking part of the job. Whether you're pitching ideas in a boardroom or addressing a virtual team meeting, strong presentation skills can set you apart. But these skills aren’t something you're born with—they're learned, developed and fine-tuned.

That’s where a presentation skills course comes in. At The Presenter Studio, we bring a unique, real-world approach. Unlike generic workshops, our training is created by TV professionals who know what it takes to engage an audience. It's not about being perfect; it's about being authentic, clear and confident.

We focus on practical tools that suit your style. From structuring your content to finding your natural performance, our coaching helps you create presentations that people remember for the right reasons. It’s ideal for professionals at any stage—whether you dread public speaking or want to polish your delivery for high-stakes moments.

When done right, a presentation skills course is more than a one-off workshop—it’s a turning point in how you communicate.

Learn more at: https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

Our own Gareth got the chance to sit down and talk to podcast host Gemma to talk about his career as a TV producer and presenter coach with the presenter studio.

It was so interesting to sit down and talk to Gemma for 30 minutes reflecting back on some career highs and lows but also to share some tips and tricks on navigating an industry which is always never an easy one Gemma was a great host warm friendly and had some great questions of her sleeve to do take a listen the link is in her bio but also I've copied it here below.

You can watch or listen by searching for Gems Journals on your usual platform and also on YouTube links are also below:


https://open.spotify.com/episode/74OFap1GgpS4iAwLoiSp34

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P9lzYo0Kjs

We had a great time running a storytelling presentation skills workshop with the Bank of East Asia. 

There's a lot of chats now about storytelling in presentations and for us it could be chat that sometimes feels a bit intangible, overly flowery and overly corporate…

For us at The Presenter Studio storytelling is all about connection.  It's about connecting with an audience in an authentic way and bringing your content to life rather than talking at or presenting to an audience.

Everything in communications is storytelling.   It's using your content and thinking how can I make this mean something to my audience?  How can I help them remember what it is I'm talking about?  

The session was once again completely tailor made to the team at the Bank of East Asia their needs and the type of presentations they do. 

Thanks for having us. 

The Presenter Studio 

The phrase practice makes perfect is repeated often—but when it comes to presentation skills, not all practice is created equal. Rehearsing your presentation properly is one of the most effective ways to boost your confidence, sharpen your delivery, and connect with your audience.

The key is to move from passive preparation to active rehearsal. Instead of reading through your notes silently, stand up and speak aloud. This engages your voice, body, and mind, helping you internalise your message. You’ll notice where transitions feel clunky or where you stumble over words—insights you’d never get just reading quietly.

Filming yourself can be a powerful, but also can be a little dangerous - as how many of us like watching ourselves back? But watching yourself back shows how you come across. You’ll notice how much you gesture, where you speed up, and whether your tone is engaging. These are the small details that separate average presentations from great ones.  

It also helps to rehearse in front of others. A friend or colleague can give feedback that you may not spot yourself. Ask them to focus on specific areas—like your clarity, tone, or structure. Even running through it in front of just one person can help reduce nerves and increase fluency.

Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for flow. Your goal isn’t to deliver a word-perfect script but to communicate with confidence and purpose. Rehearsal helps you own the message rather than just repeat it.

Finally, rehearse in the space you’ll be presenting in, if possible. Familiarity with the environment, tech setup, and audience layout can help you feel grounded on the day.

With the right rehearsal techniques, you’ll feel more prepared, more authentic, and more in control. Great presenters aren’t born—they’re made, one practice session at a time.

For presentation training that helps you rehearse with impact and purpose, visit
https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

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