Get into Your StoryMaking Stride
You’re already good at what you do. You know your stuff. But when you stand up to present it — to a room, a client, a camera — something gets lost in translation.
It’s not a disaster. People don’t walk out. It might be good even… But afterwards, you know it could have landed harder. Been clearer. Done more work.
That feeling? That’s exactly what Stride is designed to fix. (Already a fan? Jump to the tickets. Prefer a video? Want a PDF flyer?)
What is Stride?
Stride is a one-day, in-person presentation skills intensive for founders, self-employed professionals, and anyone who presents at work and wants to be genuinely, measurably better at it. It’s not a vanity thing… it’s about more funding, more sales, more impact.
Not “better for a training course.” Actually better. The kind of better that changes how people respond to you.
Everything on the day is built on what the research says actually works — not opinion, not habit, not “this is how I do it.” After 24 years as a research scientist, I’ve made it my business to know the difference.
What we cover
We’ll work through the six things that make the biggest difference to whether a presentation lands or falls flat:
Structure — how to build a presentation that flows naturally and sticks in people’s minds so you actually get somewhere!
Slides — how to design visual aids that support you, rather than upstaging you or boring the room
Nerves and confidence — research-backed tactics that work when it matters, not just in the safety of a training room
Audience engagement — how to keep people with you from the first minute to the last, not just the first five
Storytelling — how to use stories tactically, instead of using them like decorations… tools for impact
Delivery — voice, pacing, pauses, and movement that feel like you and (more importantly!) serves your message
Should you stride? Who is it for?
Stride is built around small businesses… founders and self-employed professionals — coaches, consultants, therapists, designers, marketers, freelancers — people who can’t afford to lose a room, or not to have impact.
It’s also right for you if you present regularly at work and you’re done with being average at it.
You don’t need to be a professional speaker. You don’t need to want to be one. You just need to want your presentations to actually do what you need them to do.
What you’ll leave with
By the end of the day you’ll walk into your next meeting, pitch, or webinar with something you probably haven’t had before: impact. Not bravado. Not performance. The ‘no jazz hands’ approach of knowing what you’re doing and why it works.
You’ll deliver clearer, more engaging presentations. You’ll use stories naturally. And you’ll stand out — not as “a great speaker,” but as someone who gets communication in a way most people simply don’t.
You’ll also take away a copy of my book — a £15 value, included in the price.
Bonus: to make sure the learning doesn’t just sit on a shelf, you’ll get a series of nudge emails over the following month to help you put things into practice. Your only homework: within 30 days, drop me an email telling me what you tried and how it went.
The details
One day. Small group — strictly limited to keep it genuinely personal. Newcastle upon Tyne.
Super Early Bird: £225 — open now, closes Friday 1 August
Early Bird: £275 — opens 2 August, closes Friday 5 September
Standard: £385 — opens 6 September
All prices include full refreshments, lunch, and your copy of the book StoryMaking. No VAT to add. No nasty surprises.
Next date: 9th October! (Yes, it’s the day before my birthday. We’re at Haylofts in the very middle of Newcastle upon Tyne. If you walk quickly it’s five minutes from Haymarket Metro station. If you walk very slowly, it’s ten!
Not sure if it’s right for you? Book a quick 15-minute call and we’ll work it out together.
About your trainer
Dr Simon Raybould spent 24 years as a research scientist before becoming one of the UK’s most respected presentation skills trainers. He’s a TEDx speaker, the author of Presentation Genius and StoryMaking, and the creator of the StoryMaking System.
He’s also been an actor, a lighting designer, a playwright, an opera director, and a fire-eater. Make of that what you will.
What it means in practice is that you get the science delivered by someone who actually knows how to hold a room. It’s fun. It’s fast. And it works.
If you’re interested, there’s quite a long interview with me just published on The Real Edit but all you really need to know is, as a friend once said I’m aiming at “impact, not jazz hands”. 🙂
Still on the fence?
If your presentations aren’t doing the work you need them to do, something needs to change. Stride is a day’s investment — in time, in money, in yourself — that pays back every time you present for the rest of your career.
There’s no risk. If you don’t think we’ve delivered, we’ll give you your money back. Simple. Or see the FAQs at the bottom of the page to see if what you need to know is there.
FAQs
FAQs in a series of dropdowns, so the page doesn’t look too messy.
I'm a decent presenter already — is this for me? If you were terrible, this wouldn’t be the right room. Stride is for people who already know their stuff and can present… but feel like it’s not landing as strongly as it should and want to have more impact. That gap — between competent and compelling — is where most opportunities are won (or not!). Are there any discounts? Charities and CIC get a chunky discount! You’ll need to send me a message directly and I’ll give the magic discount-code Will this be relevant to my industry? Almost certainly. The problem Stride solves isn’t industry-specific — it’s psychology-centric: Whether you’re in tech, consulting, finance, or something else, the underlying problems are the same. I don’t want anything overly ‘salesy’ or performative Good. Neither do I. This isn’t about turning you into a different kind of person. It’s about helping you communicate what you already know in a way that actually lands — without scripts, gimmicks, or forced energy. No ra-ra. No jazz-hands. How is this different from other presentation skills training? Most training focuses on: Stride is built on a mix of: That combination means we focus on how people experience your message, not just how you deliver it. I don’t do fluff. I’m allergic to jazz hands! What kind of results do people see? People typically leave with: So if better presentations help you: … it pays for itself very quickly. Do I need to prepare in advance? Absolutely not. All you’d do is prepare something using the skills you’ve got and that just reinforces your old habits! What you should do though, is know clearly what presentations you’re likely to need to make. How do I get to the venue? Haylofts is right in the middle of Newcastle, so it couldn’t be easier! However you travel, I’ll send you step-by-step instructions if you ask me for ’em. What if I change my mind?? If something comes up, let me know straight away. Because everything is planned well in advance we don’t promise you your money back. However, it’s fine for you to send someone in your place, so you can swap, so long as you let us know. The other reason to tell us you’re not coming straight away is that there’s a good chance we’ll know someone you can swap with. If we can do that, you can have a refund.
Book your place on Stride →
