Media Interviews: Tips to ensure your message is being delivered

Here is the scenario:
Your phone rings and it is the local newspaper looking for more information on a new product just launched by your company. 20 minutes later after you have hung up the phone you realize you forgot to mention the name of the new product and (gasp) forgot the name of the newspaper that called you. Whoops.

Preparing for your interview can take very little time, but those 30 seconds of preparation will make the difference in the delivery of your key message to the media.

How do you prepare for a media interview?
Here are a few tips and tricks from a Media Coach.

1) Who are you talking to?
Before starting an interview, be sure to get the name of the interviewer and who they are working for. If the person is calling from another city, get their location. Write down the information and keep it in front of you so you don't accidentally thank the wrong person, the wrong media outlet or say the wrong city. Very embarrassing.

2) The clock is ticking
Media outlets are always on a tight deadline. Therefore it is important to show up on time for a scheduled interview, or if they give you 3 minutes to explain your product you should stick to the time allotted. It is always a great idea to ask the interviewer ahead of time how much time they will give you. Respect their time and it will go a long way in ensuring a return visit from the media the next time.

3) Know what you are talking about
What is the product you have just introduced and how will it effect the lives of the consumers? The most effective presentations will avoid technical words or phrases that are not familiar to the general public. Stick to the facts and use real words that people will remember.

4) Speak in short sentences
Media outlets are always looking for the most effective sound byte that best describes the story or situation. In most cases it is a bold statement that is shorter than 15 seconds. Prepare your presentation using short responses - each providing valuable information and promotion about your product.

5) Show off your product
It seems obvious, but if you have just launched a brand new product you had better show it off to the media. You would be surprised how many people forget to put their new product in the spotlight. This could be the unveiling of a new logo, new vehicle, new staff member, etc. Show them off to the media.

6) Big finish
Remembering that you only have 15 seconds or less to make an impact, how will consumers find more information about you? This is where you have to decide to give your phone number, email address or web address. Pick the strongest ONE and stick with ONE. If you are crafty, you will find ways to include mentions of your website, blog, or social media sites within the body of the interview.

If you can master these techniques you will become much more effective in the delivery of your message to the media.

-Darren

Get Media Coaching trips emailed directly to you. Sign up to my FREE email newsletter.

Hey media, Look over here! Tips to building Media Relations

12,000 fire victims receive warm Christmas dinner.

That grabbed your attention.

A strong headline is necessary to grab the attention of the media and the public, but you first have to grab the attention of the media to help you reach the public.

Building strong Media Relations
1) Who are you
It is very important to first know who you are, the product you offer and who is your target audience. From here, create a media strategy that will enable you to reach your consumer.

2) Know your Media options
Take a look at all the media organizations in your community, or if you are a national company, look at all your global media options. What media operations connect with your target audience? Take your time and do your research on this one. Media trends are rapidly changing and you need to be on top of these changes to effectively engage your audience.

3) Media contacts
In addition to knowing who to contact to place an advertising order with your local media outlets, it is also important to get to know who is in charge of content. News Directors, News Editors, Program Directors; these are all people you should reach out and network with. You can usually find their contact information on their company website or try a simple phone call to the main switchboard. Politely explain who you are and who you are trying to reach.

4) Offer something unique
Armed with your list of media contacts, give them a reason to contact you or become interested in your company and your product. Are you a specialist that could provide useful comment and content for their media operation? This is something that is unique to them and provides you with an opportunity to build a stronger relationship with your local media.

5) Leave them wanting more
If your company is launching a brand new product or service during a splashy media blitz, launch with your well planned statements, graphs, pictures and presentations. The key; less is more. Leave the media wanting more. To ensure the media has as much background and information about your launch, it is also wise to present them with printed documentation to support your company, product and/or services. Be sure each 'media kit' also includes a contact name and information along with a web site address.

6) Do not give up
Building a strong relationship with media is just like real life relationship building - it takes time. Be patient. Do not be offended if you have not received a returned phone call or email immediately after you first make contact with your media list. Have you seen the Kevin Costner movie "Field of Dreams"? Remember the famous line; If you build it, they will come. If you have something they (the media) can use, they will contact you.

To receive more tips and consultation on how to use the media more effectively, please contact me directly.

-Darren

Effective presentation techniques

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to become a more confident and effective public speaker, you will quickly learn it will take a lot of practise and persistence.

Not everyone was born to be a smooth-talking, confident and engaging public speaker. Phew. That should make you feel more at ease. However your roles may have changed and you now find yourself having to make presentations to the media, share holders or other interest groups. Are you prepared?

Effective public speaking is an art that can be learned. You must first take stock of your strengths and weaknesses.
Comfort Level:
Do you get nervous at the thought of standing up in front of others? Or, are you comfortable giving presentations?

Voice Tone:
Do you speak too fast or have a monotone delivery? Or, are you able to control your voice to make it the most effective during a presentation?

Presentation:
Do you stumble with a script that is written and prepared? Or, are you able to make a presentation as if you had rehearsed the script for days?

Audience Engagement:
Does your audience seem to lose interest after only a few lines of your presentation? Or are you able to draw your audience into your presentation and keep them engaged?

When it comes to audience engagement, use these words of advice from Author and Public Speaking Coach, Alan Stevens:
1) Insight. Your audience expects you to be well-informed on your topic. You need to be general enough to get your ideas across, but show that you have an insight that no-one else has come up with.

2) Analogies/Parallels. You need to be able to demonstrate how a current situation relates to one that has gone before. This makes it much easier for your audience to understand.

3) Evidence. It's no good making statements that you can't justify. You need to provide examples to support your argument, rather than to make your argument.

4) Endorsement. This is like calling an expert witness in a court case. If you can cite (other) acknowledged experts who agree with you, it makes your case much stronger.

5) Humour. This is not (definitely not) joke-telling. Leave that to the stand-up comedians. Your humour should be natural and in context with the speech.

And finally, a few tips that will help you feel more at ease with your next public speaking engagement.
- Prepare a script and rehearse it many times. Practise in front of objective but supportive friends or family members. Allow for a few minor edits along the way, but at least you will be prepared. Try to stick with the script as much as you can.
- Someone else prepared your script. These are the most tricky because the person writing the script is not familiar with your delivery. So take the time to personalize the script (within reason) and be sure the font is big enough so you can read it.
- Arrive early to your presentation. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the room and your surroundings. Even if there are only a few people in the room, test the sound system to be sure everything is working.
- Eye contact. It is very important to make eye contact with as many people in the room as you can. If you are too nervous, look to people you recognize in the crowd. This should make you more comfortable.
- Water is your best friend. Keep a glass of room temperature water close by. You will find other liquids like soda and fruit juices will create a lot of phlegm while coffee and tea can dry out your vocal chords. Just remember, too much water might cause the need to make a quick trip to the washroom just before your presentation.
- Control your nerves. Before making your presentation take a few deep breaths and slowly exhale.
- Slow down and focus on key words. If you find that you talk too rapidly, you must make a conscious effort to slow down. Take the time to stop on key words or phrases in your presentation. Allow the audience a moment to evaluate the point you are making.
- Open and close with your strongest statement. You need to earn their interest at the beginning and you need to leave your audience with something to remember at the end.
- Video tape or record your presentation. This one usually hurts to watch but if you want to become more effective in your presentations, you need to be able to critique your own performance. All the top presenters do.

Good luck and happy presenting in the New Year.

-Darren

To view Alan Stevens blog click here.

To receive my helpful email newsletter click here.