Public speaking is a common fear among many people. It can be even worse if the camera is live.
Your representative will have to look professional and poised if they are going to speak to media.
It is highly recommended that you prepare your spokesperson by taking a media training class to ensure they can do it. This will make them feel comfortable, familiar with the situation, and give them a better understanding of how to handle a radio or television interview.
What can you do to prepare yourself for a media appearance. This article will cover several strategies you can use to prep your spokesperson and make them feel ready for their big moments in the spotlight.
What Is Media Training and How Does It Work?
Media training courses are a type communications training. They prepare people for interviews and other appearances on radio, TV or print stations.
It equips them to handle a variety of possible problems such as:
- What topics should they cover and how do they stay on-topic?
- If they receive difficult questions, how should they answer them?
- What are some tricks to look professional and pleasant on television?
Many media training programs will include mock interview to get interviewees comfortable with the format.
This is so the spokesperson can be relaxed and give a great impression. They will have been through many interviews and be ready to handle whatever happens by the time the spokesperson appears on the TV screen.
How to prepare your media spokesperson
You must be aware of your talking points when you prepare for a media appearance.
Your key messages must be clear and heard clearly in order for you to make an impactful media appearance. Your spokesperson should keep their message on the subject and not diverge from it. This is an area where training courses are helpful.
Television interviews allow the public to get to know the brand. Therefore, it is vital that your spokesperson seems trustworthy, credible, and likeable.
This means they should not lie to the truth and they should never make up answers to questions.
Doing Your Homework
It is a good idea for spokespersons to prepare for interview questions. A good media training course can help with this.
This can include common questions about the spokesperson’s role in the company as well their credentials for speaking on the topic.
It’s also helpful to think about the particular show they will appear on as well as the presenter. What kind of topics tend to be brought up in this program, and how does the presenter respond to them?
It is also helpful if the representative is able back up their points by using data and research. Thus, it is prudent that you equip them with all of the facts before hand and to make sure they understand them.
Steering The Conversation
Depending on what the interview is about, the host could attempt to alter the subject to something other than what your spokesperson wants. Sometimes, the host may attempt to bring up a controversial topic that you would rather not address.
It is tempting to close the issue and just say “no comment”, but that is not a good tactic. This response seems evasive to most people and implies that a full reply would be bad PR for the company.
It’s far more beneficial to learn strategies to guide the conversation naturally towards a desirable topic.
A media training course will teach you how to do this. One technique is called “bridging” because it allows the speaker and audience to connect the dots between two topics. This could be done by using phrases such:
- “That’s great question. But …” is the key issue.
- “I don’t currently have the information I need to give you, but …” is what I can provide.”
- “I understand your concern, but our research indicates that …”
- “I’d like to look into that, but what I do understand is …”
These bridging factors (and others) allow your spokesperson move smoothly from one potential problem area back onto more familiar territory. They can also give the impression that the interviewer has fully understood their answer.
A personality
Your spokesperson can’t just make it through a media appearance with pre-prepared lines.
It is important that the spokesperson be on TV in order to make the brand more human and to help people connect with it. People will prefer to deal directly with someone than with a corporate monolith. Your business will succeed if your spokesperson appears warm and approachable.
Your speaker may find it helpful to practice some lines or soundbites beforehand, but they will not want to sound too stiff. They shouldn’t speak things that sound different from them, and they shouldn’t be afraid being themselves within the boundaries of broadcast propriety. ).
Last Words
Your business can benefit greatly from a successful media appearance.
With the right training, your spokesperson will be ready for any interviewer’s demands.
You can get professional help from a PR agency if you have any questions about spokesperson media training.
