Lights, camera, and pressure; presenting for a studio broadcast is no small feat. Whether it’s a product launch, corporate announcement, corporate town hall, or panel discussion, even seasoned presenters can feel the heat once the camera starts rolling and there’s no room for error. But don’t worry; we at Ten Events have your back.
These broadcasts are not just syncing a talking head and a PowerPoint Slide, but it’s also a live event where your audience is the camera. This can be challenging for some, especially for presenters who feed off the energy of the live crowd. Because now between the audience and the presenter is a digital screen, so your presenters must deliver their message clearly while maintaining the energy needed to keep viewers engaged.
In essence, the studio broadcast is more of a performance than anything else as it requires practice, timing, and a deep understanding of the audience. It’s a format that when executed well, can leave a lasting impression and elevate your product or brand to new heights. By following our ten essential tips, your presenters will feel relaxed, be well-prepared, and exceed expectations. Our goal is to ensure your broadcast is polished, professional, and elevated from your previous events.
1. Know Your Audience
Before your presenter even steps into the studio, they need to know who they are speaking to. Is the made up of industry professionals, potential clients, or the internal team? Understanding who they are, as well as their interests and why they are attending will allow the presenter to tailor the message. This is the difference between delivering a generic presentation and one that truly resonates.
Knowing the audience also helps figure out what is the right tone and language for the presenter to use. For example, a more technical audience might appreciate more in-depth analysis of your product. While a broader audience might need a simpler explanation. It’s all about making sure the content is relevant but also engaging to those who are watching.
2. Keep It Clear and Concise
Every word matters in a studio broadcast and how you deliver it. That’s why it’s crucial for your presenters to keep their messages clear and concise. Long-winded explanations can quickly lose your audience’s attention, while too much jargon might confuse them. The goal is to communicate key points without overwhelming viewers.
When writing the script, focus on the main takeaways. What do you want the audience to remember? Prioritize those points and eliminate any lines that does not directly support the points. This approach keeps the broadcast on track and impactful.
3. Dress for Success
Just as important as what your presenter says is what they wear. The right outfit not only conveys professionalism but also boosts confidence. On the flip side, the wrong attire can be distracting and might cause your audience to lose focus during the broadcast. Encourage your presenters to choose clothing that complements the broadcast setting—solid colors work best, while busy patterns or thin stripes should be avoided as they can cause issues on camera.
Consider branding as well. For events like product launches or company town halls, having presenters wear branded attire can subtly reinforce your brand and create a cohesive visual experience for the audience.
4. Engage with the Camera
Earlier, I mentioned, the camera lens is the audience's eyes, and your presenters need to treat it as such. Engaging with the camera means maintaining eye contact, expressing emotion, and delivering the presentation as if they’re speaking directly to each viewer in a one-on-one conversation. This creates a genuine connection with the distant audience, making them feel like part of the conversation.
Presenters should think of the camera as a person. This approach helps avoid a “robotic” delivery that can sometimes happen in a studio setting. It also makes the experience more natural for the presenter, especially if they’re used to addressing large audiences. A warm, personable approach, like having a conversation with the camera, helps the broadcast feel more relatable and engaging.
5. Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse
It’s a saying everyone knows, “Practice makes perfect.” Even the most experienced presenters benefit from rehearsals. This time is not just to memorize lines, as we can use a teleprompter, but to get comfortable under the bright studio lights. Rehearsals also allow them to master the flow of the broadcast, ensuring smooth transitions and precise timing.
Rehearsals are also crucial for identifying potential issues before they become major ones. Maybe you need to tweak the speed of the teleprompter, or perhaps the presenter feels more at ease with just the slides rather than a script. Addressing these concerns during rehearsal ensures everything runs smoothly on the big day.
6. Use Engagement Tools and Visuals Wisely
Rehearsals are also a great time for presenters to get comfortable with any visual aids or engagement tools. These tools can enhance the presentation and keep the audience interested. When using visuals or tools like polls and quizzes, make sure they’re clear and relevant, they should support the points being made, not distract from them.
From a design perspective, avoid cluttered slides. A bit of white space goes a long way, and keeping slides simple helps the audience focus on the message.
7. Be Ready for Technical Issues
Technical glitches happen, and your presenters need to be ready for them. Before the broadcast, go over what to do if something goes wrong, like if the mic cuts out, a slide doesn’t advance, or the camera freezes. Staying calm and having a backup plan keeps the broadcast running smoothly, even when things don’t go as planned.
It’s also smart to have technical support on hand during the broadcast. At Ten Events, we have our production team on standby for every broadcast, so if something does go wrong, we can fix it quickly without missing a beat.
8. Maintain a Steady Pace
Pacing is crucial for helping the audience absorb the key points. If a presenter talks too fast, they might overwhelm the viewers. If they talk too slowly, the audience could lose interest. Encourage presenters to practice their pacing ahead of time. This helps them deliver the content at a speed that’s easy for the audience to follow.
Pauses are also important. Adding a pause at key points gives the audience time to digest what’s been said before moving on. This makes the presentation more engaging and helps reinforce key messages.
9. Collaborate with Co-Presenters
Having more than one presenter can really boost the broadcast’s engagement. Multiple presenters bring energy and variety, making the content more dynamic. But to make this work, it’s important that the presenters rehearse together before going live. This helps ensure smooth transitions and avoids overlap.
Joint rehearsals build rapport between presenters and help them work out any kinks. This collaborative prep makes for a smoother, more engaging broadcast that keeps the audience interested from start to finish.
10. Finish Strong with a Clear Call to Action
How you end your broadcast is just as important as how you start it. A strong conclusion leaves a lasting impression and gives the audience clear next steps. Whether it’s visiting a website, signing up for more information, or giving feedback, a clear call to action ensures the broadcast has a purpose beyond just delivering information.
Encourage your presenters to summarize the key points of the broadcast and clearly state what the audience should do next. This not only reinforces the message but also keeps the engagement going after the broadcast ends.
