Media Skills Course

Equip yourself with the skills and confidence to handle all types of media and journalists effectively

If you have to speak to the press or present your organisation to the wider media, this course is for you.

It will equip you with the necessary skills and confidence to handle the media effectively, no matter what the situation.

Course Objectives

• The Demands of Different Media
• Face to Face Interviews
• Being On Camera
• Dreaded Down the Line
• Getting Your Message Across
• Not Just Answering Questions
• Sharing Your Passion
• Speaking with Clarity
• Dealing With Nerves
• Difficult Questions
• How to Prepare
• What to Ask Beforehand
• Understanding Your Rights
• Writing a Press Release
• Crisis Management

Course Contents

Different media have different demands and the day is structured to reflect the specific circumstances, needs and abilities of the participants attending.

We will include many of the exercises listed below, and any additional material that the trainers feel is relevant to the delegates on the day.

Types of Interview

We examine the different types of interview you might face.

Is it a face to face meeting or over the phone?

Is it live or pre-recorded?

On TV and Radio, many interviews are done 'remotely' so you can't see the whites of anyone's eyes.

Being Prepared

How might that impact you?

And how is the interview to be used?

It might be edited to become part of a bigger story, and if so, in what context will you appear?

Interview Formats

Each interview format places different demands on you.

Anticipating them and understanding their impact on your ability to perform well can mean you are not 'wrong-footed' by broadcast technology.

You'd be amazed at how many people agree to an interview without any clear idea of what the story is about, what their part in it is, the timescale and how or when it might happen.

We cover all the basics on what to ask and how to prepare for an interview.

Practice

The best interviewees are usually those who’ve had a bit of practice.

From story outlines you have given us in advance, we will run you through an interview with an increasing degree of toughness if that's what's needed.

You get to do long, short, friendly and hostile.

Remote Interviews

You also get to do face to face and 'remote'.

Typically, you can expect to do three or four interviews during a day’s training.

We use extensive recording for you to revisit after the day so you can evaluate your own performance.

The Story

"I'm glad you asked me that..."

A journalist is interested in getting the story.

You're interested in putting yourself or your organisation across in the best light.

The two are not always the same.

We look at how to get your key messages across and avoid being drawn into saying more than you intended.

Your Message

"I'm coming to that..."

Broadcast media is always tight on time.

Get your punchiest point out within the first 30 seconds.

Practice delivering a succinct message under the pressure of the camera.

Passion

Passion is a compelling ingredient in a good interview.

We look at using conviction as part of your communication.

Handling Nerves

The more confident you feel the more confident you look.

And it's a weird thing that the more you look it, the more confident you feel.

We have exercises around looking and feeling in control and keeping your cool.

Press Releases

How to structure and order the facts in a press release so that it gets noticed and tailoring it for different media.

Crisis Management

We look at how to handle a negative story.

The different tactics on what position to take, giving or declining interviews and issuing statements.

Personal Style

We will help you identify your strengths and qualities.

You'll then receive positive feedback from their fellow participants on your strengths and what they have seen you do that works.

Take Out

Each person will have an opportunity to say:

• What they are taking away from the day
• What specifically they know they will use
• Where they will practise

Participants are given a web link to their videos from the course

Ongoing Support

Two weeks after the course one of your trainers will call to see how you are getting on.

You will have email and telephone access to both of your trainers.

You'll also have access to a course web page containing

• Handouts used during the course
• New supportive material
• Impact Factory PDF documents
• Recommended reading
• Links to our favourite videos