Having a good presenter showreel can be the difference between getting seen for a job or not.  

Throughout our long careers as TV Producers we have found, and continue to do so, new talent from seeing people online.  It's important to remember that everyone is now quite easy to find and also that TV Producers look for every reason NOT to give you a job.  It's a very risk averse industry as no one wants a flop on their hands, BUT at the same time our industry thrives on new talent - the opportunites are there but you need to play the game, and know the game you are playing. 

What producers want to see and know is 3 key key things - who are you, what makes you different and how are you going to bring their show to life - and this is all down to your personality and this is what needs to be showcased in your showreel.  And your personality needs to work with the type of show you are wanting to present and also the channel - are you BBC talent?  ITV talent?  Channel 4 talent?  These are all things you should know - it's not enough to be generic - unless that is your USP.  

When you work on mainstream TV you are expected to hit the ground running, and you only really get one chance.  If you are not good enough, the truth is it's unlikely you will be used again.  

The presenter is often the most important part of a show, but you often don't get a lot of help or producing on the day.  

So your showreel needs to put producers at ease.  As producers we all need to fight for the person we want to present a show - and if your showreels shows some weak points, or is not personality led it's VERY easy for you to go straight into the NO pile! 

At the end of our fast track presenter training course we play our clients examples of showreels from other tv presenter training courses that are out there, and we ask them 'if this person emailed you their showreel would you meet them?'.  The majority of people often say 'yes'.  But once we explain what the purpose of a showreel is, and what it needs to do they soon realise that the answer is 'no'.  

Less is always more in TV.  If you can get a good showreel done do, if not don't as a strong photo can sometimes get you seen (we once put someone on a primetime Saturday night show who is now a HUGE BBC name from a photo alone!)...

Good luck!