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Free Download – Training And Creative Services Brochure

We’ve taken everything you could possibly want to know about Comsteria’s training and creative services and put it all together in one glossy brochure for you to read right now. You’ll discover how we started, who we work with and how we are able to deliver such outstanding results that keep clients delighted. It’s packed with details of what we include in our courses, how they can be tailored and delivered to you and there’s Read more

By Colin Kelly, ago
Editing a podcast. Waveform in Adobe Audition.

Powerful Communication Podcast Roundup

If you haven’t already, join our Powerful Communication community by listening to the Comsteria podcast. Episodes are hosted by Colin Kelly and are specially designed for busy, on the move communications and marketing professionals or business leaders. We publish new episodes around 3 times per week. They’re short, jargon free, highly focussed and based around the following: – News, analysis and opinion on media and communication matters– Skills, tips and advice on media interviews, presentation Read more

By Colin Kelly, ago
Journalist holding a microphone during an interview

Media training tip – never ask for a list of questions

One of the quickest ways to get off to a bad start with a journalist is to make them think you’re inexperienced, weak and needy. Asking for a list of questions in advance of an interview signals all 3. And it gives the journalist a scent of blood which may well encourage them to be tougher on you. But to give your best performance, it’s still very much in your interests to go into the Read more

By Colin Kelly, ago
Notebook with space to write priorities for a media interview

Media training tip – Have an agenda of your own

This is where we start with our media training workshops. The importance of going into an interview knowing what you want to get out of it and, if everything goes your way, having a clear idea of what you want to say. This is essential because you can guarantee the journalist or interviewer will have their own agenda. And if you don’t have one of your own, you’ll be at the mercy of their’s. If Read more

By Colin Kelly, ago
Media training practice.

Media Training Interview Practice

Anyone serious about training will tell you it’s what you do next that truly makes the difference. This is particularly true when it comes to media training. It takes regular practice to embed the new skills you’ve learned in your session with us and to make the most of the tips and tricks we’ll have shared with you. To give your best performance, it all needs to feel natural and second nature. If you’re ‘trying’, Read more

By Colin Kelly, ago

Comsteria’s Summer of Training

This summer, we’re offering a series of ‘open’ courses, delivered via live, interactive 2 hour webinar. These have been designed to give you the ‘essentials’ in a highly relevant and efficient format. In short, it’s about maximum impact for minimum time. Perhaps you’re juggling family care responsibilities, taking advantage of a slightly quieter time to pursue some professional development or need to upskill and tackle an area of weakness, quickly. We’ve chosen some of our Read more

By Colin Kelly, ago
Picture of a football pitch.

A lesson in clarity from Scottish football

When a client is struggling with a tricky issue in our media training or presentation skills courses, we’ll often use the phrase ‘the truth will set you free’. By that we mean that if the audience you’re speaking to simply understood what was going on behind the scenes, they’d likely form a better impression of you. This is based on the principle that most of us, most of the time, are doing good things. And Read more

By Colin Kelly, ago
Woman taking a group photo of colleagues on a smartphone in an office setting

How we helped a team create better workplace photo and video content

From community events and volunteering to day-to-day work, here’s how we helped a team move from snapshots to content that tells real stories. This team were doing really important work. They were out in schools, running careers events, supporting apprenticeships, leading volunteer projects and promoting sustainability initiatives across the organisation. The kind of work that should be shared through strong photo and video content. But when it came to capturing it, they were frustrated. The Read more

By Emma Baker, ago

5 Practical Tips for Comms Teams Filming an Event on Their Phones

Capturing great video at an event doesn’t have to mean big cameras, long lenses and broadcast-level audio. Most comms teams only need two things: a clear plan and a well-used smartphone. You won’t get a clean recording of the keynote speeches without specialist kit, so don’t try. Focus instead on what the phone is brilliant at: capturing the flavour of the day through strong b-roll and short, engaging interviews. Here are five simple, practical tips Read more

By Emma Baker, ago
Colin Kelly delivers a media training workshop. Relaxed and smiling.

What happens in a media training session?

Welcome to Part 1 of our look inside a media training session delivered by Comsteria’s Colin Kelly. All our courses are tailored to you, and we’ll make sure you’re both encouraged and challenged, with the intensity of the experience varying according to your experience and what you need. Our media training courses can be delivered in person or remotely, at your premises, or at a venue sourced by us. Half day or full day sessions Read more

By Colin Kelly, ago
Close-up image of computer screen displaying Descript Video Editor Transcript and Timeline.

Unlocking Pro-Level Editing with Descript

When I started learning video editing nearly 15 years ago, it was anything but easy. I bought Final Cut Pro X for £200, which felt like a huge investment at the time. The software was powerful, but the learning curve was steep. I struggled my way through menus, timelines, and endless tutorials. Sound familiar? It wasn’t until I left teaching and started working in video full-time that I really got the hang of it. Now, Read more

By Emma Baker, ago