Presenting from a Broadcast Studio for the first time can be a little daunting – the lights, cameras, lack of audience feedback – it can definitely take a few events before you feel completely comfortable.
However, with the right advice, and a little effort, you too can present seamless studio webinars.
Here’s some tips to make sure you’re fully prepared for your next event.
1. Arrive early
We recommend arriving at the Redback studios 45 minutes before your event begins. It will give you time to familiarise yourself with your surroundings, get microphones up, and have a technical run through.
2. Dress for success
The camera can pick up a lot! Here’s some non-negotiable rules:
- Avoid stripes and busy patterns, stick to block colours
- If using a green screen as a backdrop, avoid wearing green – it has happened
- If using black drapes as a backdrop, avoid wearing too much black
- Avoid heavy jewellry and pay attention to buttons and cuff-links if seated on a panel desk
3. Take notice of your posture
Once you start presenting you will become comfortable, but don’t get too comfortable!
Pay attention to your posture and avoid slouching or hunching over in front of the camera, especially if you’re seated on lounge chairs.
4. Pay attention to your online audience
Treat the camera like it’s another person in the room.
As a general rule, look between both cameras and when you start a sentence, look at the camera for the first 5-10 seconds, before turning to your co-presenters.
Remember to keep it natural, blink when you need to and vary your facial expressions.
5. Be engaging, and be yourself!
What kind of presenter are you? If you talk with your hands, don’t stop doing it just because you’re presenting. Natural gestures will make for a more engaging presentation. However, too much movement with your hands can create a pixelated effect.
Try to limit actions to the area between your waist and your shoulders as this is what the camera can see.
And remember to smile!
6. Tell stories and use conversational language
Use anecdotes and compelling facts to involve your audience and take them on your journey. It’s a great way to make your presentation fun, entertaining
Speaking in a conversational tone and removing any jargon or acronyms will also engage your online audience. Use clear and simple language, and if you really need to use a term that’s not clear, or highly technical, explain the meaning.
7. Avoid dead air
Dead air, or radio silence is a definite no-no for online events. Your audience may think something is wrong with their internet connection and 10 seconds of silence in a webinar can feel like minutes!
When presenting from the studio, try not to focus on any technical elements. Your Delivery Technician is there to handle all of that and will also communicate to your audience should anything occur.
8. Act like the camera is always on
As soon as your Delivery Technician seats you in the studio, always behave like you are on air. We’ve all seen those blooper reels of presenters playing with their pens or saying things they shouldn’t; and while this is very uncommon, it’s best to stay on the safe side.
General rule of thumb, don’t say anything you wouldn’t like your audience to hear.
9. Avoid reading from a script
Scripted content will always look scripted — and you’ll miss out on the engagement, energy and spontaneity that you can achieve in the studio.
Notes should be used as a prompt, especially if you’re interviewing a panel of speakers. This will ensure the conversation is organic and free-flowing.
10. Mistakes happen – we’re all human
It’s important to break through the technology barrier and engage your online audience. So if you make a mistake, it’s best to own it and move on.
Correct yourself, start again, and depending on your audience, you might even want to make a brief joke about it to humanise the situation.
Above all, relax and have fun with presenting from a studio.