Mediaskills ... for Business
Size doesn't matter - household name plc or back bedroom dot com startup, every business knows the importance of understanding its customers.
When a firm delivers not what the client expects, but more than the client expects, it's well on the way to keeping ahead of the competition.
You also understand the importance of marketing and advertising. But every day journalists from radio, TV and newspapers are desperately seeking the hundreds of new stories that will fill their quota of airtime or newsprint.
If you can learn what journalists are looking for in a story, and how to give them what they need (and in a form they can handle) just at the time they want it the most ...... then you'll find you can build a profile for yourself or your organisation within that "golden space" no advertising agency can offer ... you can become news.
Mediaskills ... for the Big Moment
When you or your organisation is in the public eye, sooner or later you'll get the chance to appear on radio or TV, and any experience is less scary when you've had a bit of practice.
You know what you want to say ... you know more about the product or the project than anyone else, and you're the logical person to share your expertise and enthusiasm with a wider audience. But until you've faced the microphone, it's like venturing into the unknown.
Most people feel better for going through a dummy interview before the one that matters.
Make your mistakes in private, learn what to emphasise and what to avoid, hear yourself back and pick up some friendly presentation tips. Face the negative questions, learn how to stop interviewers backing you into a corner.
You know what you want to say ... you know more about the product or the project than anyone else, and you're the logical person to share your expertise and enthusiasm with a wider audience. But until you've faced the microphone, it's like venturing into the unknown.
Most people feel better for going through a dummy interview before the one that matters.
Make your mistakes in private, learn what to emphasise and what to avoid, hear yourself back and pick up some friendly presentation tips. Face the negative questions, learn how to stop interviewers backing you into a corner.
Mediaskills ... for Your Worst Nightmare
The world has just gone pear-shaped, and the last person you want to face right now is a journalist.
But you can be sure that, just when you really want no publicity, that's exactly what you're going to get. If your first call is from a detective, a fire officer or an injured customer -the second will be from a newsdesk.
Find out why you should never say "no comment". Learn how to turn the negatives into a more balanced account of what's happened. Give the media access to what they need, when they need it, in a form even the laziest hack can't fail to include in their report. Know your rights, and how to complain effectively.
Develop a "bad news" disaster plan. Make sure all your staff at all levels know what to do, just like a fire drill. Keep a sense of perspective. Start planning now.
Get in touch now for details of half-day or full-day introductory courses in "Understanding the Media" - the perfect introduction to media relations for companies, voluntary groups and public sector organisations.
