Stepping Into the Presenter’s Shoes: What I Learned When I Became the One on Camera

As part of my role at WorkCast, I help presenters prepare for their online events, guiding them through tech checks, rehearsals, and confidence-building so they feel ready to deliver a smooth live session.
And honestly? Many of them make it look effortless - calm, natural, and completely in control.

But recently, during an internal video project, I was the one in front of the camera… script in hand… lights pointed at me… and suddenly I realised:

👉 Presenting in a live or recorded online event is harder than it looks.

That experience gave me a whole new appreciation for every presenter I support — and reminded me how essential preparation truly is.

Below are the presenting tips that helped me (and that I share with WorkCast presenters every day). Whether you're hosting a webinar, running a virtual event, or preparing for an internal broadcast, these simple steps make a huge difference.

1. Practise Out Loud Before Your Event

Reading silently isn’t the same as speaking.
When you practise out loud, you catch awkward phrasing, improve pacing, and find your natural rhythm - all key for confident online delivery.

2. Focus on Key Points, Not a Word-for-Word Script

Trying to memorise every word increases pressure and makes you sound robotic.
Knowing your core talking points instead helps you sound conversational, confident, and human.

3. If You Stumble, Keep Going - It’s Normal

I tell presenters this daily:
A stumble doesn’t ruin your delivery. It makes you sound authentic.
Audiences don’t expect a flawless broadcast - they expect clarity and confidence.

4. Test Your Tech Early

Nothing calms nerves like knowing your setup works. Before you go live, check:

• Camera positioning

• Microphone levels

• Lighting

• Screen share permissions

A few minutes of prep prevents last-second stress.

5. Use Pauses to Stay in Control

Pausing to breathe, regroup, or emphasise a point is powerful.
It helps you stay grounded and allows your message to land clearly with your audience.

6. Remember: It Always Feels Scarier Than It Looks

Most presenters feel nervous - even experienced ones.
But what the audience sees is a composed speaker delivering valuable insight.
You’re almost always doing far better than you think.

Why This Experience Matters

Stepping from support role to presenter gave me real empathy for the people I work with every day.
It reinforced why guidance, rehearsals, and the right platform (hello, WorkCast!) make a huge difference for anyone presenting online.

Whether you’re hosting a webinar, presenting at a live virtual event, or recording internal content, preparation and mindset are everything.

What’s Your Best Presenting Tip?

If you regularly present or run online events, I’d love to hear from you:
What’s the most helpful presenting advice you’ve ever received?