Business Communication. Sharpen your communication skills.

This presentation skills short course offers practical training for anyone who needs to present effectively in front of a camera – be it for social media, online media, or live or recorded video. Whether you are a newcomer to on-screen presentation or a more seasoned performer seeking to build your confidence, this course will equip you with the tools and skills you need to enhance your digital presentation skills.

We’ll consider what works and what doesn’t, how to structure and deliver your message with style, impact and confidence, and how to overcome your nerves. We’ll discuss different social media platforms and audiences, and consider why and when to use short-form video content.

This course will empower you to:

• find your authentic voice and style
• connect with an audience you can’t see
• engage, persuade, inform and influence online and video audiences
• plan, draft and deliver effective content, with key messages and calls to action
• understand technical considerations e.g. cameras, lighting, staging and background.

This course is suitable for first-time video presenters and people who want to develop their on-screen presence and stand out. We’ll consider presenting to audiences in a range of different contexts including social media platforms, online webinars and tutorials, pre-recorded video clips, and hybrid scenarios.

Aims

This course aims to help you:

• grow your confidence presenting on screen
• find a style and delivery mode that is authentic to you
• understand the needs of different audiences, and what they want from your video or virtual presentation
• plan, draft and deliver effective content
• consider styling, staging and technical requirements
• practice presenting in front of a camera and respond to direction.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• feel confident in front of a camera and develop strategies to manage nerves
• plan, prepare, and deliver effective content for video presentations including key messages and calls to action
• maximise your on-screen presence
• overcome challenges and respond to difficult questions or unexpected situations
• review your work, and receive and respond to feedback.

Content

The course will empower you using the following framework:

Know your audience + perfect preparation + practice your performance = a powerful on-screen presentation

The first part of the course will focus on knowing your audience. We’ll consider:

• Who is the audience?
• What social media platform are they on, and why?
• What do they want from your presentation?
• Why are you the best person to give this presentation?
• Finding your authentic voice and style
• Building your confidence

The second part of the course will delve into perfect preparation. This will include:

• planning and structuring the key building blocks of your presentation including developing key messages and calls to action
• using personal anecdotes, case studies and storytelling techniques to illustrate your message
• Handling the Q&A
• considering your personal appearance, including styling, wardrobe and staging
• planning your technical requirements, including camera, lighting, mics, background etc.

The third part of the course will focus on practising your performance. We’ll practice:

• refining your presentation
• presenting in front of the camera
• communicating succinctly, confidently and effectively  
• troubleshooting unexpected problems.

Intended audience

This course is suitable for a range of participants including first-time presenters and those who want to enhance their on-screen presentation skills. We’ll consider presenting to audiences in a range of different contexts including social media platforms, online webinars and tutorials, pre-recorded video clips, and hybrid scenarios. The course is also ideal for people seeking to become better ‘performers’ in the mainstream media. Participants are encouraged to come to class with a specific on-screen presentation opportunity in mind, to be workshopped and discussed during the day.

Prerequisites

None

Delivery style

This digital presentation skills course is an interactive workshop which includes facilitator training, in-class exercises, and workshop-style activities. We will practice in front of the camera, review our performance, and receive feedback and direction.

Delivery mode

Face-to-face, presenter-taught workshop using your own device

Materials

All course materials are provided electronically using Dropbox. Printing services are not provided. Please bring laptop or iPad, and pen and paper.