Interview Laurien Verstraten: What can you learn from a presenter?

  • 19 June 2023
  • [rt_reading_time label="Reading time:" postfix="minutes" postfix_singular="min"]
  • By Speakers Club Coaches

Presenting: it's a profession in its own right. Whether you are in front of a camera or on a stage to present an event, it's not just a matter of stand and go. How do you handle camera work best? What can you do to prepare for a shoot or a other presentation job? And how do you make sure you stay personal as a presenter? We put these questions to presenter and Speakers Club coach Laurien Verstraten. She explains everything you want to know about the ins and outs of presenting and being in front of the camera. Read along? 

What are golden tips when in front of the camera? What do you always keep in mind?

"Always dwell on two things: what is your purpose and who is your target audience? People can very quickly lose their purpose while speaking when they are in front of an audience, but especially when they are in front of the camera. Then they suddenly don't know what to say. Be aware of where you actually want to go with your story. What message do you want to convey? Focus on that and not on: what will those around me think of this? Am I wearing nice clothes? Don't they think I'm saying weird things?  

When we are in front of a camera, we suddenly become over-conscious. People get caught off guard by the camera, suddenly talking like robots and losing themselves. This is why it works well to put someone from your target audience behind the camera in your mind. Visualise who you are talking to. Then you can continue talking as if you were talking to that person and adjust your intonation and facial expressions accordingly. This may take some training, but is definitely learnable. 

In the end, it is always about what you want to convey to your audience. Therefore, always keep in mind what you want your audience to remember. It helps to speak from a fixed structure of introduction - core - conclusion. In your introduction, you say something that triggers people, for instance something that has been in the news recently or something you have experienced yourself. In any case, it should capture the imagination of your audience. By getting personal here, you immediately create a favour factor for yourself. Use the core to support your story with points. In the conclusion, you then summarise and incorporate a Call To Action. Prompt people to think or buy, depending on what you want to achieve." 

How best to prepare?

"There are different ways to do that, depending on what you are presenting and how deep you want to go into something. Does your target audience already know a lot about the subject or is it new to them? If it's an in-depth interview or an hour-long live show or webinar that requires a lot of prior knowledge, I dive in completely. You have preliminary discussions with the client, the director or the person you're interviewing, you make presentation cards, and make sure you know roughly where it's going. What do they think is most important and should be in the item anyway? What is their goal?  

Sometimes you present for a wider audience, so you have to adjust your preparation to that. For instance, I do that for the TV programmes I present on RTL or SBS. Many people watch them who often know nothing about a specific subject or company. That is precisely when I generally prepare myself minimally, because that is when my performance comes across most naturally. In the end, it should always come across as if you think it up on the spot, so too much preparation is not good either. By speaking calmly and staying with the story, you avoid losing the thread and stammering. Is an item not live? Then ask afterwards if all your requirements have now been met or if anything extra needs to be included. Then you can be sure you have covered everything."  

How do you make sure you stay authentic? How do you make it personal?

"When dealing with the subject, look for why you connect with this. It is precisely by being open and being yourself that you can connect. Therefore, look for common ground with the subject. Even if it's just little things, it can make people sympathise with you. In your introduction (or in between), tell something about yourself. By painting a picture of something you have experienced. By imparting something personal, you really connect with your audience.  

I once had to interview someone who was very nervous. Then be especially human: I indicated that it didn't matter if it didn't go well, that I would take care of it. 'We'll just have a conversation together, you just have to answer my questions.' By showing empathy, being able to put yourself in the other person's shoes, you can put your interviewee at ease and the recording will go a lot smoother. This also keeps someone authentic and you get the most natural conversation.  

Now, of course, sometimes you cannot escape an autocue with specific texts. Presenting sometimes also involves a bit of acting, because presenting and acting have a lot in common. Speaking on camera is not the same as talking next to your partner on the sofa or in the pub with your girlfriends. That doesn't work in front of an audience or the camera. Then you have to put on extra, energy! Again, keep someone in mind to whom you are telling your story. Play with the camera: use your hands, facial expressions and intonation. You can use that too to make it more personal." 

What are your tricks when you work? What do you always fall back on? 

"I don't really call it a trick, but I always think from the customer's point of view. What does your customer need? Where can I pick something up? How can I best fulfil it? Be clear, but also cooperative and kind. Think in terms of solutions rather than problems. And above all, stay yourself.  
 
In addition, during a live presentation, make sure you have a few anecdotes ready that you can always share with the audience if you get stuck for a moment. And make presentation cards, with the most important points on them. Make sure you stay in charge. You really are the host of a show or programme. 

Since the pandemic, people are increasingly expected to speak on camera. A few simple tips? Look at the lens instead of yourself in the screen. Make sure the lens is at eye level. Check in advance where the light is best and what background you choose. And be aware of your posture and use of voice.  

We often talk too fast, too soft and too high in front of a camera. So speak quieter and louder than you are used to and end your sentences low. If you end a sentence high, you force yourself to keep talking. You don't knit an end to it. So put a point in time and keep your sentences short. That way, you make it a lot easier on yourself. Except when you ask a question, of course. Then make sure your voice rises at the end of the sentence. Most people do this fine in everyday life, but become over-conscious in front of an audience or the camera. Training will ensure that you also start being at ease in front of the camera or an audience and apply this technique correctly." 

Why do you like working with Speakers Club? What makes this club attractive to you? 

"Speakers Club is a fine and inspiring club to work with. Everyone has a different background and expertise. So you learn a lot from each other. We also enlarge each other's network through the various events, programmes and master classes we lead together. This makes us mutually reinforcing and you really notice that in the atmosphere binnen the club and the way we all work together." 

CAMERA TRAINING?

To help others also stand confidently and relaxed in front of a live audience or camera, Laurien gives camera training. Whether you are in front of a television camera or have to give a business presentation, Laurien can help you by coaching on intonation, body posture, facial expressions and story structure, among other things. 

LAUREN VERSTRATEN

Laurien Verstraten grew up in a musical family and took every opportunity herself to perform with her singing and musical talents. She also loved presenting. After completing her Law studies at the University of Amsterdam, she decided to pursue a more creative path. She studied Music Theatre at the Artez Conservatoire and took various courses and lessons to take her singing, acting and presenting skills to the next level. She has since had roles in well-known Dutch television series such as GTST, Moordvrouw and Brugklas and presented several programmes for both RTL and SBS6, including Campinglife (RTL4) and Ondernemerslounge (RTL7 & RTLZ).   

More about Laurien

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