Where do we start with beginner media training?
Perhaps you’ve found a new role that requires you to speak to journalists or maybe you’ve found yourself in a completely new industry and wondering where to begin.
It’s daunting, and it’s absolutely alright to feel that way. We get it.
In our 35 years of business, we’ve helped thousands of nervous newbies find their feet with media relations – and we’ve picked up plenty of tips along the way.
Here are our three top tips for getting to grips with the world of journalism.
Prepare yourself
Whether it’s day one, or day 100, everyone feels nervous sitting down in front of a journalist.
This is normal and it’s actually a good thing.
Nerves mean we care about the outcome and that’s important so, lean into those feelings and remind yourself it’s just a sign that you care.
The problem is we can get too nervous and a huge help to avoid this is to prepare yourself.
Go in armed with a list of the worst questions you could possibly get and have in your mind how to answer them.
We can cross our fingers the list is goes untouched but you’ll feel better knowing your primed and ready should the question arise.
Deliver your answers to a random audience
One of the biggest mistakes we see people make is assuming the audience has the same knowledge and experience of a subject as they do.
Remember, we are all experts in our own areas so only you know as much as you do about this topic.
An interview with the media is your opportunity to inform the rest of us and to do that we must change our language.
Sit down with a friend or family member and share your answer with them.
If they understand, great! You’ve done your job.
If they’re left confused, chances are your language is still riddled with jargon and overly complicated terms.
Keep going until your message is crystal clear to every audience.
Remember to breathe
It’s a fact that when we are nervous our minds start to race and our heart rate increases.
Thinking logically becomes much more difficult – a huge problem when you’re about to open your thoughts up to public consumption.
Luckily, there’s a way to resolve this problem and it’s as simple as just taking a breath.
Now, the difficult part is remembering to do this under pressure.
We feel if we fail to answer a question immediately or need to pause during a response, we’re being rude or look unsure.
The truth is quite the opposite.
There is a real power in your pause and it shows the greatest of respect to the question and the person behind it.
Get used to taking a moment to gather your thoughts.
Allow your mouth and brain to align and spend that time putting your answer together.
The audience will thank you for it.
Wondering how we can help you or your team prepare themselves for their first media introduction?
Get in touch with us today!
We’d be delighted to take you through our beginner media training course, which we can host in-person or virtually.
Email us today to find out how we can help.
Photos in Presenting Mindsets: How to really think, before you speak by Pink Elephant Communications.
Presenting Mindsets: How to really think, before you speak blog written and edited by Maxine Montgomery.
