Displaying items by tag: public speaking

Public speaking can be one of the most daunting challenges in a professional setting, but it’s also one of the most rewarding skills you can develop. Whether you're addressing a boardroom, pitching a client, or delivering a keynote, your ability to present with confidence can define how your message is received.

At Presenter Studio, we believe that everyone has the potential to be a compelling speaker. The key lies in preparation, practice, and understanding how to connect with your audience.

The first step in mastering presentation skills is structure. A clear and logical structure helps your audience follow your message and increases your own confidence.

Begin with a strong opening to grab attention, follow with well-organized points, and end with a memorable conclusion.

Equally important is how you deliver your message. Your voice, body language, and eye contact all contribute to how your audience perceives you. Practicing vocal variety, maintaining an open posture, and making genuine eye contact can help you come across as more confident and engaging.

Storytelling is another powerful tool. Stories create emotional connections, making your message more relatable and memorable. Think about moments from your own experiences that support your message, and practice telling them naturally.

Finally, dealing with nerves is a big part of becoming a strong presenter. It’s normal to feel anxious, but preparation and practice go a long way. Breathing techniques, visualisation, and rehearsing with trusted colleagues or friends can help ease anxiety.

To take your skills further, our tailored presentation skills courses offer professional coaching designed to help you excel in any speaking scenario.

To find out more about how we can help you visit www.presenterstudio.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Public speaking can feel daunting, especially if you’ve never stepped onto a stage or addressed a crowd before. 

The good news? You don’t need prior experience to become a confident and compelling speaker. With dedication, practice, and a few clever strategies, anyone can master the art of holding an audience’s attention. 

Below, The Presenter Studio team shares some tips to help you on your journey to becoming a great public speaker, even if you’re starting from scratch.

Start off small 

If the idea of speaking in front of a large group makes your palms sweat, don’t worry, you don’t have to dive straight into a keynote address. Begin with small, low-pressure settings. 

Chat with a few friends or family members and ask for their feedback. Join a local club or group, like a book club or community meet-up, where you can share your thoughts in a relaxed environment. These baby steps will help you get comfortable with expressing yourself out loud, laying the groundwork for bigger audiences later.

Develop a structure 

Good public speaking isn’t about winging it, but about structure. 

Even without experience, you can craft a solid talk by following a simple formula: an engaging opening, a clear middle with key points, and a memorable close. 

Start with a story, question, or surprising fact to hook your listeners. Then, organise your main ideas into three digestible points. People tend to remember things in threes. 

Wrap up with a call to action or a thought-provoking takeaway. Practice this framework with everyday topics, like explaining a recipe or sharing a film review, to build your skills.

Learn from the pros 

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. 

Watch TED Talks, stand-up comedy, or even local speakers at events to see what works. Pay attention to how they use pauses, vary their tone, and connect with the audience. 

You’re not copying their style, think of it as gathering inspiration. 

Note what grabs your attention and try mimicking those techniques in your own practice sessions. Over time, you’ll find your own voice while borrowing from the best.

Practice 

There’s no shortcut here: practice is your golden ticket. 

Record yourself speaking on your phone and play it back. It might feel awkward at first, but you’ll spot areas to improve, like cutting out “ums” or slowing your pace. 

Try rehearsing in front of a mirror to work on your posture and gestures. 

If you’re feeling brave, ask a trusted friend to listen and give honest feedback. The more you practice, the more natural it’ll feel when the real moment arrives.

Consider a course 

If you’re serious about accelerating your progress, Public Speaking Courses can be a game-changer. These structured programmes offer expert guidance, practical exercises, and sometimes even a supportive group to practice with.

Look for local workshops or online options that suit your schedule and budget. While not essential, they’re a brilliant way to gain confidence and polish your skills with professional input.

Deal with nerves 

Everyone gets nervous, it’s human. 

The trick is to channel that energy into enthusiasm.

Before you speak, take slow, deep breaths to steady yourself. Visualise success: picture the audience smiling and clapping. Focus on your message, not your fear.

A handy tip? Find a friendly face in the crowd and imagine you’re just talking to them. With time, those butterflies will feel more like excitement than dread.

Connect with your audience 

A great speaker doesn’t just talk at people, they talk to them. 

Make eye contact, smile, and use simple, relatable language. Ask questions or share a quick anecdote to draw listeners in. Even with no experience, you can build rapport by being genuine. People don’t expect perfection; they want to feel your passion and authenticity.

Wrapping up 

Becoming a good public speaker with no experience is entirely possible. It’s less about natural talent and more about persistence and preparation. 

Start small, learn from others, practice relentlessly, and embrace every opportunity to grow. Before you know it, you’ll be the one captivating the room, no experience required. 

Don’t forget that The Presenter Studio offers a range of presentation skills training courses designed to help you develop your voice and unique presentation style. Get in touch to learn more.

Rethink Your Approach to Public Speaking

When it comes to delivering impactful presentations, many people rely heavily on slides. While they can be a helpful tool, slides often do more harm than good, especially when overused or poorly designed. At The Presenter Studio, we emphasize the power of your personal presence and delivery in our public speaking courses, showing you how to connect with your audience without hiding behind a screen.

The Problem with Slides

Slides can easily become a crutch, taking the focus away from the speaker and diluting the power of your message. Instead of engaging with you, the audience’s attention is split between trying to read the slides and listening to what you’re saying. This disconnect makes it harder to create a memorable impact.

In many cases, slides end up being overloaded with text or complex visuals. These distractions can overwhelm your audience, making your presentation harder to follow. Remember, a presentation isn’t about reading bullet points off a screen; it’s about telling a compelling story and connecting with your audience.

Why People Rely on Slides

Slides are often used as a security blanket to guide the presenter or to avoid the challenge of fully engaging with an audience. However, this reliance can result in a presentation that feels impersonal and disconnected. The audience comes to hear you, not read slides.

The Power of a Slide-Free Presentation

Removing slides allows you to focus on what truly matters: your delivery, storytelling, and audience engagement. Without slides, you’re free to move, make eye contact, and interact with your audience in a way that feels natural and authentic.

By ditching slides, you’re also forced to refine your message. This means you can focus on what’s most important, delivering a clear and impactful presentation without the clutter. When done well, this approach is far more memorable than a slideshow.

What We Teach at The Presenter Studio

Our public speaking courses focus on helping you deliver presentations with confidence and personality. We teach you how to craft a compelling message, use your voice effectively, and engage with your audience. You’ll learn that the most powerful visual aid in any presentation is you.

By reducing your reliance on slides, you’ll become a more dynamic and authentic speaker, leaving a lasting impression on your audience.

Read more about our public speaking courses here:  https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

Covid-19 has seen politicians and Government advisors thrust infront of the camera to deliver important messages.   But has Boris Johnson and his team always hit the mark?  

We are experts in communications and have worked with everyone from politicians to journalists to sports stars and Hollywood's finest.  

We'd love to see politicians and their teams communicate in a better way.  And we are here to help. 

We are experts in writing copy, presentation skills and media training.  And we are experts in ensuring that a message has the desired impact on its audience. 

Communications and the media is an exciting place to be.  So if you want to maximise your potential drop us an email today.  

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The Presenter Studio are coming to Dubai in March to run some exlcusive presenter training sessions.  We have a 1 day presenter training programme and a 2 day. The 1 day presenter training course is going to be focussing on presenting on camera and also presentation skills.  The 2 day will cover everything from on camera work, media interviews, presentation skills, where we work with you to develop and hone your personal brand.  So if you are in Dubai and want to come and work with us please drop us a line!  We'd love to hear from you.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Did you watch Francesca Martinez on Question Time?   

Her impassioned answer to Fiona Bruce’s question has gone viral.  So why did her answer engage and touch so many of us?  The reason is it was ‘personal’.  So many debates and speeches lack personal content – we all know people buy people, so where is there so much corporate jargon?  

Francesca’s personal story brings a problem to life.  All of a sudden what she has to say can’t be ignored as we can see and hear from someone who is part of the problem, and this makes it all the more real.  But it wasn’t just what Francesca said on the BBC’s Question Time that connected with people, it was how she said it.  She spoke from the heart.  Her answer was passionate, and passion goes a long way.  If you are passionate about something it’s hard for the viewer not to be too.  

Her passion made her message so much more engaging, and you instantly felt a connection and an understanding of what Francesca was saying.   

We should all learn something from Francesca’s time on Question Time – not only from what she said, but how she made a forgotten problem now a big topical issue – from being personal and passionate.  

Well done Francesca….