TV Presenter Bloopers

London, UK

A classic from the late great BBC tv presenter Robin Day:

How To Dress To Impress

London, UK

What you say as a speaker or presenter is key but so is the way you look. You may have seen other posts on this subject last year by media coach Alan Stevens. He once again, outlines the importance of "looking right" in his latest weekly e-zine. His main assertion is that your message must be congruent with how you look. In other words, dress to impress. If you're uncertain what to do try a top image consultant to start with. Once you know what's the right colour, shape and style of clothes visit a leading bespoke tailor.

LOOK THE PART

As I travel the world, I watch TV interviews, sometimes in a language I don't fully understand. However, I can often tell whether the interviewee is coming across well simply by checking their appearance. While your words are of great importance (don't believe that popular misconception that words are only 7% of meaning), appearance is importance too.

In addition to how you are perceived by others, your appearance can affect how you feel. In order to deliver a confident performance, you need to feel good about yourself, and only you can be the judge of that. Even if others tell you that you look fine, you will know whether you are happy with your appearance.

Somewhat surprisingly, your appearance is important on radio too. For the reason just mentioned, if you are feeling good about yourself, you will perform better. Not only that, but the way that you look will affect how radio interviewers treat you. If you are speaking on behalf of a professional body, such as a group of lawyers, you will not be taken so seriously if you arrive at the studios wearing jeans and a t-shirt. On the other hand, if you are an eco-warrior, a three piece pinstripe suit may be inappropriate.

Take as much care over your appearance as your message, and make sure that they work in harmony.

Jonathan Ross On Leicester Square Television

London, UK

The LSQ "fan-cam" was at the BAFTA'S and caught up with presenter Jonathan Ross and his wife Jane.

Promoting the Presenter Centre

London, UK

Last year, I posted this link about the Presenter Centre which is run by Colin Cobb of Presenter Promotions. The Presenter Centre is an ideal way for getting up-and-coming presenters known on the Internet.
Amongst the talent on show at the Presenter Centre is my co-presenter at Leicester Square Television, Claire Bueno. Both of us have benefited by being members of the Presenter Centre and Presenter Promotions

Doing A Piece To Camera

London, UK

You'll see this sort of thing on television most days. Whether a news item or presenting a documentary-style piece, rehearsing one's lines can be tricky to get right first time. Here's me caught on camera last year in Central London:

The Return of Jonathan Ross

London, UK

Can't believe this story from Digital Spy.

Presenting Russell Brand

London, UK

Last night, I was asked once again, "why do you have Russell Brand on your showreel"? My reply, "why not"?

Just because Russell has resigned from his BBC Radio 2 show doesn't mean he'll never return to host a radio show or present on the BBC. Russell Brand is a brilliant comedian and he'll soon bounce back from the "Wozzagate" affair.

Presenting to Win

London, UK

Alan Stevens, the mediacoach has a number of free articles available. This is one of them. If you are a presenter or like presenting you'll find Alan's article very useful.

Presenting to win

Your whole body is trembling with fear - but a stiff drink won’t help. Your voice has almost disappeared – but you don’t need a doctor. Your mind has gone completely blank – but you haven’t developed amnesia. The real reason? - you’re just about to make a presentation.

One of the certainties of corporate life is that you will be asked to make presentations, and the outcome could have far-reaching effects. Perhaps this is why many people show symptoms of blind panic when the dread day dawns. However, being given the opportunity to sell an idea, promote a business, or close a sale is something that you should jump at – so what’s the answer?

Very few of us are natural presenters. As Mark Twain used to say “It takes three weeks to prepare a good ad-lib speech”. Fortunately, learning how to become a competent speaker takes a lot less time than that, so find yourself a good trainer, and follow some simple rules.

The first consideration is your audience. You will be judged a success if they leave feeling that their time spent listening to you was worthwhile. Find out as much as you can about them; how many will be there? what are their interests? what went down well before? Imagine yourself in their shoes – what would you like to hear?

Your subject matter may have been pre-determined, but you’ll often be given a free hand. Give it a persuasive title – not “A survey of Anglo-German business readiness”, but “Companies from Germany that want your business”. Now consider the structure of your talk – it’s as important as the content. It’s a cliché, but the “business sandwich” (Tell them what’s coming, tell them about it, tell them what you told them) really works – so stick to it.

When you’ve put your talk together (often in the dreaded PowerPoint, of which more later), simplify it by taking out half of the content. Then try to take out half of what’s left. There – that’s better – now you have a good chance of getting your core message across (you do have a core message, don't you?).

Now – rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. The idea is not to learn your script by heart, but to ensure that you don’t look surprised when you turn over the next cue card. If you’re at all nervous, don’t write your notes on A4 sheets of paper – they amplify your trembling fingers both visually and aurally. Use low-tech file cards with a title and no more than four brief points. Punch a hole in the corner and tie them together with string – you might just drop them.

Now, if you must use PowerPoint (and I know many of you do), then use it to help, not confound, your audience. Never, ever, read your slides out – assume that all of your audience can read perfectly well. Keep your slides very simple. Put a blank slide between each section of your talk, so that you have the audience’s full attention. And be prepared to carry on even if the PC or projector fails.

Visit the venue beforehand, and make friends with the technician. If there’s a change of speakers, you’ll need someone you can trust to ensure a smooth transition.

Finally, check everything, and then check it again. At the launch of a new people carrier a few years ago, the vehicle was driven on stage by the CEO with three board directors as passengers. Unfortunately, none of them knew how to open doors fitted with childproof locks. Cue tears of laughter from the assembled hacks. Couldn’t happen to you though, could it?



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"That's A Funky Camera"

London, UK

........said Hollywood "A-lister" Benecio Del Toro at the London Film Festival last night. He was one of several stars who we managed to catch up with on the final weekend of the London Film Festival

The way to get a good response from stars and celebrities on the red-carpet is this:

a. Try and be original with your questions. Don't just ask "tell me about your character"

b. Don't be afraid to be a little bit provocative from time to time.

c. Ask something about their hobbies, likes or dislikes. They are, after all, human beings like you and me.

Here's the LSQ TV footage from last night for you to enjoy:

The Times BFI 52nd London Film Festival

London, UK

Click here to see the latest LSQ TV footage from the Festival.

Leicester Square Television

London, UK

Simon Pegg and the rest of the cast at the Premiere of "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People". Simon appears on the Jonathan Ross Show later this evening on BBC1.

UPDATE

Did you see Simon Pegg on the Jonathan Ross Show? Catch the latest at Simon's website and blog, HERE

Miryam Margolyes - what a coincidence

London, UK

One of the stars I managed to speak to last night at the Premiere of "How to Lose Friends and Influnce People" was actress Miryam Margolyes. This clip is taken from her web site. Enjoy.

How to Win Friends and Influence People

London, UK

When I started out in the world of sales I was handed a copy of Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People".

But tomorrow night in Leicester Square, that literary piece of brilliance meets its nemesis as Leicester Square Television will be there to present for you the UK Premiere of "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" starring Simon Pegg and Kirsten Dunst.

French Farce

London, UK

TF1's Laurence Ferrari runs into a bit of hot bother with Al Pacino & Robert de Niro earlier this week:

Leicester Square Television - Year One

London, UK

November 27th, 2008 marks the first anniversary of Leicester Square Television. So I've decided to highlight some of the best moments.

One of the most popular Premieres was St Trinians, Russell Brand and all. The main LSQ clip (which has had over 23,000 hits) can be found by going to this link and here's the "fan-cam" footage (which has reached over 63,000 hits on You Tube). My co-presenter Claire Bueno was on the red carpet with me on that chilly night.

Presenter News

I hear that presenter Russell Brand (just click on the mini-vid on your left) is teaming up with Britney Spears. Read this

Sell Yourself

London, UK


One way of keeping in touch with your existing and prospective customers is to inform them of what you are doing. Many individual and organisations send mailshots and the quarterly newsletter is always popular isn't it.

Internet expert, Graham Jones, likes e-mail. So do I. Just recently, I sent out a link to my "latest news" page on my main presenter site.

Another TV Presenter Blooper

London, UK

A tv presenter must always do his/her research, otherwise you look stupid. And as for the mic handling - rubbish.

Selling Youself on the 'Phone

London, UK

Later this year, I'll be holding a seminar (details to follow) on telephone cold calling.

One can go to networking events, send out mailshots, rely on existing clients, in my view though, the best way to get new business is by cold-calling. This applies whether you're selling garden furniture, tyres; office equipment, financial data; or looking for clients who need an experienced presenter for their corporate video

Favourites from Leicester Square Television

London, UK

Looking back over a very successful first 9 months at Leicester Square Television, I think my favourite premiere was St Trinians. Enjoy: