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Gareth Davies

Gareth Davies

Slides can be helpful. But they’re often misused. Too much text. Too many transitions. Too many moments where the presenter turns to the screen and forgets about the people in front of them.

At Presenter Studio, we encourage presenters to see slides for what they are – a visual support, not a script to hide behind. The moment you speak to the screen instead of your audience, you’ve lost the room.

Start by reducing the amount of text. A single headline. A striking image. A few key figures or quotes. That’s all you need. If you fill the slide with dense paragraphs, people will read ahead and stop listening to you.

Next, keep your focus on the audience. Speak from your own knowledge and experience. Let the slide reinforce your message, not carry it. You should never feel like the screen is doing the heavy lifting. You are the presentation.

Finally, ask yourself if you even need slides. Not every idea needs a visual. Sometimes the most powerful moment comes when you tell a story without anything on screen. When the attention is entirely on your voice and your message.

Using slides well is about restraint, clarity, and confidence. If you want to improve your delivery and visual communication, take a look at our training at

A smile can do more than ease your nerves. It can help you connect. It can build trust. And it can make your message land with far more impact.

At Presenter Studio, we’ve seen time and again how a genuine smile transforms the energy in the room. It makes the speaker more approachable. It puts the audience at ease. And it shifts the whole tone of a presentation.

Smiling tells your audience you’re comfortable. That you’re open. That you’re confident in what you’re saying. It also signals warmth, which makes people more likely to listen and respond to you.

And the effects aren’t just outward. Smiling helps you as the presenter. It calms your nervous system. It slows your breathing. It reminds your brain that you’re in control.

The next time you present, think of it as a two-way connection. Look people in the eye. Acknowledge the room. Smile when it feels natural and let that energy guide you. It’s not about being overly cheerful. It’s about being real, present, and human.

If you want to feel more relaxed and confident in front of an audience, our business presentation training will give you tools you can trust. Explore the full course at:  https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training

Friday, 13 June 2025 07:58

How to Write a Presentation That Works

Writing a presentation doesn’t have to feel like a mountain to climb. The key is to build it in layers. First comes the structure. Then the script. Then a set of notes or cue cards to help you deliver it naturally.

At Presenter Studio, we help professionals write presentations that don’t just land the message, but bring personality and confidence to the room. Here’s a simple way to think about the process.

Start by mapping out a timed running order. This gives your presentation shape. Think about what the talk is for, what you want the audience to take away, and how you want them to feel at the end. Then break the time down into sections – an introduction to set the scene, your main points or ideas, and a closing message to leave them with impact.

Next, write a script. But not just any script. Write the way you speak. Avoid long, dense paragraphs. Instead, think about how you’d explain the content if you were chatting to someone over coffee. Be conversational, warm, and clear. Add in little moments of story or personality. A short anecdote. A challenge you overcame. These are the things that help people connect.

Then, once you’re happy with your script, reduce it back down. Create cue cards or notes with simple headlines or trigger words. This helps you stay on track while freeing you up to speak naturally and look up from your notes. You’re not trying to memorise the talk word-for-word. You’re giving yourself the tools to stay present.

This approach helps you sound more confident, more human, and far more engaging. For more presentation help and training, visit our full course at Presenter Studio: https://www.presenterstudio.com

In a world full of content, what really cuts through is authenticity. That’s especially true in public speaking. People don’t remember every word you say—they remember how you made them feel. Being real, human and honest is what truly connects.

At The Presenter Studio, we’ve produced some of the UK’s biggest presenters. And we’ve learnt that the best communicators aren’t the most polished—they’re the most relatable. They’re confident in their message, but they’re also grounded in who they are.

So how do you speak authentically? First, use your own words. Avoid jargon or scripted lines that don’t sound like you. Speak the way you speak in real life—with a bit more clarity and purpose.

Next, share something personal. You don’t need to tell your life story. But a well-placed anecdote or insight can help you build a connection with your audience.

Finally, remember that authenticity doesn’t mean winging it. It means preparing well enough that you feel relaxed and in control—so your personality can shine through.

If you want to develop a natural, confident speaking style that still delivers impact, our bespoke coaching is here to help. Find out more at https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

Thursday, 12 June 2025 09:43

How to Overcome Nerves Before a Big Talk

Even the most confident professionals feel nervous before public speaking. The good news is, nerves are normal—and they can even help sharpen your performance. But when nerves take over, they can affect your delivery. That’s where training and preparation come in.

At The Presenter Studio, we work with clients who have to speak under pressure—live TV, investor meetings, high-stakes interviews. We’ve developed techniques to manage nerves and help you feel in control.

The first step is breathing. Shallow breathing fuels anxiety. Practice slowing your breath and grounding your voice from your stomach. This will also help you speak with more presence.

Visualisation is another helpful tool. Take a few minutes to picture yourself on stage, speaking calmly and clearly. It helps trick your brain into thinking you’ve already done it successfully.

And finally, focus on your audience—not yourself. Nervous speakers often worry how they’re being judged. But your job is to deliver value. Think about what your audience needs to hear and how you can help them.

To work with our team of TV producers turned communication coaches, explore our presentation skills training at:  https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

Thursday, 12 June 2025 09:39

Public Speaking Tips That Actually Work

Public speaking can feel intimidating, even for experienced professionals. But with the right approach, it’s a skill anyone can improve. At The Presenter Studio, we coach people from all walks of life - CEOs, creatives, academics and brand spokespeople—helping them find confidence and clarity in how they speak.

One of the most effective tips is to prepare your structure, not your script. A good presentation has a clear beginning, middle and end, but it shouldn’t sound robotic. Knowing your structure helps you stay on track while still sounding natural and responsive.

Another tip is to slow down. Nerves often make us rush. But speaking more slowly gives your audience time to absorb what you're saying—and gives you time to think. Pausing can be powerful.

A third tip: don’t just speak at people—engage with them. Make eye contact. Ask questions. React to the room. Public speaking should feel like a conversation, not a lecture.

At The Presenter Studio, we believe that great public speaking is about being yourself—just your best, most confident version. Find out how we can help you improve at:  https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

Thursday, 12 June 2025 09:12

Presenting isn't about being Perfect

Presenting isn't about being perfect. 

Presenting is about being you.  

Every presentation is a chance to communicate your brand. But often, people fail to consider how their style, language and delivery reflect who they are and what they stand for.

At The Presenter Studio, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter training. We tailor everything to you. That’s because we know that every brand, business and presenter is different. Whether you’re a startup founder speaking at an event, a senior leader running a boardroom meeting, or a charity ambassador doing press interviews, your presenting style should feel on-brand and on-message.

From our experience producing hundreds of hours of broadcast television, we understand how to craft a personal style that’s authentic, confident and credible. We bring that expertise into the business world—helping people present in a way that feels natural to them, but also aligned with their brand’s voice and values.

We work with some of the biggest names in business and media, delivering high-level presentation coaching that gets results.

If you want to represent your brand better in how you speak, pitch and present, visit:  https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

Presenting isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how you say it. At The Presenter Studio, we work with CEOs, entrepreneurs and teams across industries to improve how they present. And we’ve seen three common mistakes that crop up time and time again.

The first mistake is information overload. It’s tempting to try and say everything. But when a presentation is too full of facts, it becomes hard to follow. We help our clients strip things back to a clear, compelling message that lands with impact.

The second mistake is lack of structure. A good presentation needs a clear beginning, middle and end. Without it, your audience can lose track. Our training focuses on building story-led structures that flow naturally and hold attention.

And the third? Hiding your personality. Too many people think they have to ‘perform’ in a certain way. But the most effective presenters are themselves. We help you present with confidence, warmth and authenticity, using our background in TV to coach real, human connection.

Want to avoid these mistakes and transform your presenting? Learn more at:  https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

Storytelling is at the heart of every memorable presentation. No matter how data-driven or formal the content, if it lacks story, it often lacks impact.

At The Presenter Studio, we’ve spent over 20 years working in television—producing content for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and beyond. We know what keeps audiences engaged. And what we’ve learnt is that storytelling isn’t just for TV. It’s the most powerful tool you can use when delivering a presentation—whether to your team, investors, or clients.

A great story creates an emotional connection. It brings your message to life. People don’t just remember facts—they remember how you made them feel. A well-told story can simplify complex ideas, make people care, and inspire action.

In our presentation skills and storytelling training, we help professionals unlock their voice and find structure and clarity in how they present. We’ll show you how to build a presentation with a clear narrative arc, how to use real-life examples to illustrate your points, and how to deliver with authenticity.

If you're looking to transform how you connect with an audience, explore our bespoke training at:  https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

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