Media Training

With the number of business channels and programs increasing – news services are looking for more and more content…

Media scrutiny is no longer reserved for politicians, actors and media personalities – Now heads of companies and their key staff are in the firing line.

The media is coming

“It’s not a matter of IF, it’s a matter of WHEN!” 
The Hon. Brendon Grylls – Minister for Development; Land W.A.

Managing Your Message

It’s time to bulletproof yourself, your employees and your company by managing your message effectively. By failing to be prepared for media scrutiny you run the risk of damage to your reputation and that of your company. We’ve all seen the fallout of bad media performances and a fumbling defense – don’t be a statistic.

When the crisis happens it’s too late for media training… So when you or your employees are called on to speak to the media it’s critical you all know how to avoid the pitfalls so you can deal with the media confidently and effectively. You need a strategy –and you and your key employees need to be camera/media ready.

Equally, you need to be prepared to be able to make the most of any positive opportunities to promote your business through the media.

Speaking to the media, even in times of crisis can provide a valuable opportunity to get your message across.. So, are you ready?

It’s time to learn how to communicate your messages effectively to the media, your business partners, shareholders, key stakeholders and your employees…

Managing Your Message is here to give you and your staff the skills and techniques to handle the media deftly, make the most of any media exposure and refine your key messages..

Sometimes it’s best to fly under the radar but if the media smells a story you need to manage your message, proactively get on the front foot and, as they say in U.S. politics, “own the story”.


There are two strategies that should drive your message to the media.

1. The Proactive Strategy – where we work with you to devise a strategy to get media coverage for your brand and look for ways to build your brand in the media. (Where appropriate.)

2. The Reactive Strategy – where you are prepared to handle the possible media cannonballs that could land on your doorstep. That means you need to be camera/media ready.

The best strategy is to always be on the front foot. So, how can you do that?
Well, Managing Your Message is here to help.

Media Training and Presentations Skills workshops

At Managing Your Message we can tailor a media training or presentations skills course for you and your employees to make sure you are all ready to face the media with confidence.

We’re here to help you manage your message effectively – whether it’s dealing with an adversarial media or simply promoting your business or product.

Media Training Workshop – Why “No Comment Won’t Cut it!

In the event of a crisis – being media trained and camera-ready is essential. Most reporters will have done their homework – have you done yours?

  • In this course you’ll learn how to tackle the tough questions and deliver your message effectively:
  • You’ll be given an understanding of how the media works
  • How to handle tough interviews
  • How to stay ‘on message’
  • How to build your media strategy
  • Body language techniques – to ensure a polished and credible performance
  • Presentation skills
  • You’ll be given real life video examples/case studies of what doesn’t work and what does
  • And you’ll be given plenty of on camera rehearsal through mock interviews and press conferences to give you hands-on, practical experience in handling the media.

  

WHY “NO COMMENT” WON’T CUT IT – COURSE DETAILS – 4 half-day sessions

1ST HALF DAY

Filming of ‘raw’ recruits

Assessment of trainees’ abilities

  • Their vulnerabilities, their thoughts on the media, their experiences.
  • Their assessment of their media skills – questionnaire.
  • How they think the media world works.
  • Their possible reasons for going on camera/talking to the media.

Understanding the media

  • How the media works!
  • The motivations of journalists/producers/editors
  • Why preparation is so important

Getting on the front foot and proactively managing your message

  • How to avoid misquotes
  • What does “Off the record” mean?
  • Dealing with journalists
  • Developing relationships with relevant media/journos

Your motivations for talking to the media / going on camera

  • Handling crises
  • Commenting on events in your industry
  • Giving expert advice
  • Corporate video presentations
  • In-house video presentations
  • Corporate DVDs/videos

Your objectives

  • What is your message?
  • Who is your audience?
  • How do you want your company to be perceived?
  • How do you want to be perceived?

Building your media strategy

  • Preparation of key messages
  • Consider all the possibilities – topics that might crop up including ‘rumours’
  • New media – how to use social networking/social media as part of your company’s media strategy
  • Using the media to get your positive stories out there
  • Developing a ‘managed perception’ of your company – DVD, expert advice etc.

2ND HALF DAY

What makes a good interviewee/presenter?

Presentation skills

Engagement

  • Projecting warmth, credibility, reliability, believability, authority.

Nerves

  • Why do we feel nervous?
  • Tips to reduce nerves – breathing, relaxation techniques, visualisation
  • Slip ups – how to deal with them

Delivery

  • Body Language
  • Eyes/facial expression
  • Closed body language
  • Open body language
  • Gestures
  • Posture
  • Personal presentation – wardrobe etc

Voice

  • Pace
  • Rhythm
  • Tone

Mindset

  • What your mindset is about going on camera
  • How to develop the right mindset

Assessment of previous day’s filming

Filming of mock interview