Fear and Loathing in the Corporate World

​Last week I had the pleasure of providing Media Training to a group in the offices of one of my corporate clients. Media Training is one of my favourite things to do because it involves two critical elements that are near and dear to my heart: 
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1. Media
2. Public Speaking

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​Yes - that second one - "Public Speaking" - may seem a bit misplaced, but it is in fact a big part of mastering a successful media spot.

Think about it: conducting a media interview as a spokesperson has all of the elements of traditional public speaking, and then some. Not only must you succinctly convey your key messages to your audiences, but you get to do it on a platform (or platforms) that amplify your words to the masses. Digital technology allows your interview segment, whether online, broadcast or otherwise, to be delivered to the far-reaching corners of the Internet and beyond. 

Now, before breaking out into a cold sweat, let's look at the up-side to this reality: It's never been a better time to be a company spokesperson because when you get your messaging right, your words are received by audiences that in previous times, one could only dream of reaching. 

To some, this fact is at the crux of why doing media interviews is perceived as a frightening proposition and to others, it's seen as an opportunity, one that will result in positive outcomes for their company and brand.

In other words, get past the nervousness and the sky's the limit!

But how do you do that?

There are a number of tried and true tactics that can help you through your initial fear of being a public spokesperson, but if I had to choose, these would be the top three:
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1. Know Your Stuff! Knowledge is power and knowing how to convey your messages in an intelligent, clear and relatable way is a real confidence- builder. Be prepared and you'll breeze through your interview like a boss.
2. Know Your Audience - This is a basic tenet of "Communications 101:" To whom are you speaking? When you know how your target audience thinks and reacts, and how they want to be spoken to, you'll be better able to connect with them in a way that will successfully get your message across.
3. Keep It Simple - The most effective and resonant messages are often the most simple. What are you trying to say about your product or service? Breaking it down to its most simple, basic terms will not only give you confidence to deliver your message, but will make your offering relatable and interesting to your target audience.

​Of course these are just some of the best practices to consider when you're speaking to the media or are doing a public presentation or talk. Want to know more? Contact me for details.

Until next time,

Sam

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September 2016