By Andy Field – FieldVision Productions ©2004 

TV Police shows offer the best media training advice. “Everything you say can …and will be used against you".  When told that, most suspects simply remain silent. 

You don’t have that luxury…and as a corporate executive or newsmaker you don’t want to arrive at that media interview and just “wing it.” You don’t have to. Expert media training will coach you in delivering clear concise messages that newspapers and broadcast media will quote. 

There’s no magic to media training – just simple easy to learn and practice techniques.

FICTION: You must be a “natural” to appear on camera…I’m just not good at it. 

FACT: Some of the most effective spokesmen aren’t “naturals.”   In fact their honest, unvarnished passion is far more effective than a slick programmed spokesperson. Good interviewing and presentation skills are learned and practiced. Coaching sessions provide the tools you need to learn what’s necessary to turn a reporters “inquisition” into a showcase to tell your company’s story.   

FICTION: I don’t have the right look to appear on camera. 

FACT: Everyone has the right look. Good media coaching explains how to look your best on camera or before an audience. How to wear the right colors and jewelry, using your hands, face and entire body to get your message heard. The color that best compliments your face is royal blue. Watch a political press conference –notice the blue backdrop behind the candidate? Did the government get a deal on blue drapes or is there a little more planning than you thought going into to these press appearances? A good coach will help identify how to best use how you look, your voice and gestures to drive your message home.

FICTION: I can’t afford the time to prepare.

FACT: You can’t afford to NOT prepare. Would you enter a sales prospects office and just hope for the best? No good salesman meets a prospective client and just hopes he’ll think up a great presentation on the spot. Yet executives think they need little or no preparation when they are about to meet the media. Is a multi-million deal worth a day or two of your time for practice? Your multi-million dollar company, your career, your professional reputation could rest on that media appearance. Make the most of it by enlisting an expert coach to help insure success. 

FICTION:  Media Training is too expensive.

FACT: Media Training is a bargain compared to the lawyers and public relations executives you’ll need to hire for damage control after a poor interview. The nation’s best trainers can charge up to $5,000.00 or more for a full day one on one session. If your interview convinces just one client they should do business with you, you’ve made a great investment. If your great delivery avoids government regulation or lawsuits, that investment is priceless. 

FICTION: I’ve done interviews the same way for years and we get OK press coverage. 

FACT: Why settle for OK coverage when media training can increase the odds that coverage will be spectacular. It’s critical to know you don’t have to answer a reporters question…but you can give an answer that highlights the message you want to deliver.   Developing good relations with the media is essential. A good media trainer will explain effective strategies. You’ll learn how to eliminate bad speaking habits – how to talk in quotable “sound bites” And you’ll never give another interview without every question asked and answered before you shake the reporters hand.

Media training is nothing more offering a plan that lets YOU control an interview or media appearance. Turning unwanted questions into answers that highlight the message you want to deliver. 

If the If the President of the United States has time for media training – your company spokesmen certain can find a few hours for it too. 

Don’t avoid media appearances – be ready for them.   They can provide millions in free publicity. You are the expert and the message. Learning the most effect techniques helps guarantee that message gets through.

One famous politician was known for preparing so well that he once joked with reporters. “Does anyone have any questions …for my answers?” 

Media Training will help you find and feel the same confidence. 

Media Training is learning how tell your companies story in the most compelling and interesting way. It's learning how to take control of an interview and transform contentious questions into positive on message answers. 

A typical coaching session runs either a half or full day – students are often amazed at how quickly they turn a so-so appearance into a sharp compelling delivery in just a few hours. The techniques work.    

The coach will lead you either one or one or with a group through several on camera trial runs. They will help refine the three key points you want to make and explain how to turn them into lively, compelling sound bites. You’ll learn how to use your face hands and body to put an exclamation point at the end of each quote….and how to handle controversy with a smile.

60 Minutes knocking on your door? You’ll learn how to deal with the toughest reporters, what questions to ask before they put you in the spotlight. How to prepare for the most persistent interview. When to say yes to an interview request…and when to pass. 

The skills you learn for a television interview trickle down to every part of your corporate life. When you know how to do TV, you’ll be better on the radio, in print and in front of the largest presentation audiences. You will actually look forward to practicing your new skills everywhere. They will make you a better spokesman and salesperson. 

If an audience can’t see your vision, they won’t buy it. Good media training gives you the paint brushes, the pallet and canvas to create your message masterpiece.