Media ready: Building your toolkit for effective communications
Media training is a vital component of modern communications strategies, helping leaders navigate the landscape of media interactions confidently. While a traditional in-studio interview on local morning news may not be as common as it once was, media training remains as crucial as ever to prepare for formal and informal speaking opportunities, podcasts, testimonies and social media best practices as well as television, radio and print interviews. It equips you with the skills to effectively convey your messages, maintain a positive public image, and handle just about any scenario gracefully. In a world where every word can be scrutinized and shared widely, media training is always a good idea.
WHAT IS MEDIA TRAINING?
At T&C, each media training we conduct is tailored to our client’s specific needs. It can involve mock interviews, guidance on responding to different lines of questioning and how to control the message while projecting a positive image. We share how to build lasting relationships with media contacts, and how to make sure your organization’s media process is efficient and responsive. Training often includes developing talking points, how to speak in sound bites and on-camera coaching. You’ll learn basic dos and don’ts, media jargon and strategies for crafting a message that resonates with your audiences.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
In today’s era of rapid information spread and global connectivity, public sentiment can shift in a second, and that is only exemplified by phenomena like cancel culture. Media training extends far beyond scripted responses — it cultivates your capacity to think fast, handle challenging questions, and exude composure and confidence — all pivotal for upholding credibility and avoiding missteps that could lead to reputational damage.
Scrutiny continues to increase with an hourly news cycle compared to the daily cycle of years past. Today, organizations must be prepared to respond with immediacy and authenticity because. Being transparent fosters confidence in you and your organization.
Media training is a proactive investment for navigating the media landscape. Once you’re already crisis mode, it is too late for truly meaningful media training – you will simply be too busy responding to the crisis.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Media training isn’t just for crisis response either. All of these tools help when you need to share positive news, too! Whether promoting a product or brand, discussing industry insights, announcing changes to a company, or addressing a crisis, media training can help keep your message cohesive, coherent and engaging.
OUR T&C TIPS:
- Know your platform and tailor accordingly. Are you going on TV, radio, or filming a video for social media? Is it being recorded or will it be broadcasted live? Knowing how your audience will receive your message can help you tailor your delivery.
- Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the better you will internalize your key messages, which will allow you to weave them into the answer to nearly any media question.
- If you don’t tell your story, someone else will. Even if the news is tough, it’s better if it comes from you than someone else. Saying nothing only leaves space for others to speculate.
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