Thursday, February 12, 2015 | Media Training
The best media interview guests are those that have deep knowledge of their subject matter and understand how to talk about their topic in the context of current events, in an engaging manner.
This may sound like a tall order, but if you break it down, you can create a system to keep yourself media ready every day. This blog post addresses why you should know your facts if you want to book more interviews.
If you are representing a product or service, know the details of it. You should know exactly how it works, whom it serves, how much it costs, the greatest benefits it delivers, how it compares to similar products and services, and other details.
If you are a subject matter expert, stay aware of academic or institutional studies that relate to topics you discuss. You could be asked questions about them, but you may also find it useful to reference studies to support your responses to questions.
Stay abreast of trends and shifts in your industry. Read the journals or trade publications that pertain to your industry. This may be obvious for people who are positioning themselves as experts. For others, such as athletes who may want to become sportscasters, demonstrating that they have an understanding of the sports industry will position them well. An actor who may want to become a spokesperson for a product line or a cause can position himself or herself for such opportunities by introducing relevant topics in media interviews.
The morning of an interview, scan the news so you will be prepared if an interviewer refers to a major world event. Think about how any of the world events might affect your industry or your projects. A good journalist may ask you how a specific event will affect your customers or fans. If you can add an interesting perspective to current conversations taking place in the world, you are more likely to book more interviews.
Be ready to talk about more than just yourself or your products or services. Even if most of the questions that journalists ask are about you, a media interview provides you with an opportunity to share more of your mind and heart with the world.
If you go into an interview without knowing the facts of your business or projects, you could be caught off-guard and appear to be uninformed or lacking credibility. This could throw the entire interview and damage your reputation. On the other hand, if you prepare well for every interview, you are more likely to be an engaging, confident guest or interviewee with whom the media will enjoy working.
About Lisa Elia
Lisa Elia is a leadership communication strategist who works with executives, founders, and expert teams to strengthen how ideas are communicated, understood, and acted upon inside organizations. Through her SpeakerShift Leadership Communication Accelerator and private advisory work, she helps leaders develop greater clarity, executive presence, and influence in high-stakes conversations—from leadership meetings and major presentations to investor discussions and critical organizational moments. Organizations also license her leadership communication programs to strengthen communication capabilities across their teams. Learn more at lisaelia.com.
To arrange a complimentary consultation, visit https://calendly.com/emt-appt/consultation-lisa-elia
To arrange a free consultation, call us at 310-479-0217.
Or, you can email us at team@expertmediatraining.com
Sunday, October 12, 2014 | Media Interview Tips, Media Relations, Media Training, Media Training for Actors, Media Training for Music Artists
Media training is meant to help anyone who is going to be interviewed by the media to feel as prepared as possible.
Understanding the lingo that you may encounter before or during interviews will help you to feel more at ease.
This glossary of media interview terms will get you started.
a-roll – This is the footage shot by the primary camera, in shoots with more than one camera.
attribution – Attributing the source of information to its originator. If you provide information or quotes that are not your own, be sure to mention the source. If you do not, you risk being accused of plagiarism, which is illegal and damaging to your reputation.
b-roll – This is background footage that is generally shown to accompany voice-over provided by a news reporter or the audio of an interview. Sometimes TV news crews will shoot b-roll, and sometimes the producer will ask interviewees or their PR representatives to supply b-roll. It is beneficial to have b-roll available if you have something that could add visual interest to a news story, such as footage of your product being manufactured, or a tour of your facility. For people in the entertainment industry, interviewers might expect you to bring clips of films or TV shows that are being promoted: the studios will generally provide these.
boom (microphone) – This is the large microphone that is generally at the end of a boom pole and held near the action, to capture sound.
Chyron (pronounced ˈkīrän) – The graphics or words that appear at the bottom of a TV screen. The Chyron Corporation created the on-air graphics that became popular, and subsequently, the name “Chyron” has become used generically. In some countries, this is referred to as a “name super” or “cap gen” or “CG”.
crawl – This is the text that “crawls” along the bottom of a TV screen during an interview or news segment. Sometimes this text is unrelated to what is on screen.
lapel mic/lavalier mic/personal mic – For many TV interviews, a lapel mic or lavalier mic will be clipped onto your clothing, with the “mic pack” clipped to your clothing, somewhere where it will not be seen, such as the back of your belt, or even inside a dress or shirt. Consider this when choosing your clothing for an interview.
mic pack – This is the electronic pack that transfers the signal from a lapel mic to the camera or soundboard.
off the record –I advise clients not to say anything that you do not want to see in the news. With social media acting as an amplifier of any message, this is a good rule to follow in most areas of your life (except to your very inner circle).
press kit – Those of you who are reading this who work with publicists or an in-house PR team probably already have had a professional press kit developed for you. This phrase is included in this glossary because many people casually interchange “press kit” and “sales kit,” but they are not the same things. When members of the media request your press kit, they do not want your sales materials. They want to see your factual press kit materials. A press kit generally includes the background information that members of the media may need to produce articles or stories on you, including a biography, a company backgrounder, information on your products and services, key press clips, and references to relevant facts and studies.
remote (interview) – A remote interview is when the interviewer is in a different location than the interviewee. Remote interviews can occur via Skype or other videoconferencing software applications and systems, or you may be asked to go to a studio to shoot a remote interview with an interviewer that is located elsewhere. Or, a remote interview may be shot at some other location. This is sometimes called a “live shot”.
still (photograph) – Stills are simply photographs, as in “still images”, as opposed to “moving images”. Print media outlets will often ask for still photographs that can support the story being written, but radio and TV producers might also ask for stills to be used in producing their stories. Radio stations now have active and very visually appealing websites, so good visuals are now necessary to support some radio interviews as well as print and TV interviews.
talking points – From the perspective of many members of the media, the talking points that they may ask you or your representatives to send to them are discussion points or topics that you will discuss in a media interview. You might also have a separate list of talking points that are the discussion points you want to incorporate into your answers.
Media training entails much more than understanding media interview terms.
To excel in media interviews, you must be prepared on many levels that go far beyond media interview terms. Good media training should address the strategy behind the interviews, and prepare you physically, mentally and emotionally.
For more media training tips, visit these links on our site:
Frequently Asked Questions about Media Training
https://expertmediatraining.com/faqs-about-media-training/
Media Training Tips for Actors, Music Artists and Performers
https://expertmediatraining.com/media-training-for-actors-music-artists-and-performers-media-interview-tips/
Media Interview Checklist from a Los Angeles Media Trainer
https://expertmediatraining.com/media-interview-checklist-from-a-media-trainer/
Body Language in Interviews and Meetings – Nonverbal Communication
https://expertmediatraining.com/body-language-in-interviews-and-meetings/
How to Create an Online Press Room That the Media Will Love
https://expertmediatraining.com/online-press-room-tips-from-media-trainer/
Prepare for TV Interviews BEFORE You Book One – Tips from an LA Media Trainer and Spokesperson
https://expertmediatraining.com/prepare-for-tv-interviews-media-trainer-tips/
About Lisa Elia
Lisa Elia is a leadership communication strategist who works with executives, founders, and expert teams to strengthen how ideas are communicated, understood, and acted upon inside organizations. Through her SpeakerShift Leadership Communication Accelerator and private advisory work, she helps leaders develop greater clarity, executive presence, and influence in high-stakes conversations—from leadership meetings and major presentations to investor discussions and critical organizational moments. Organizations also license her leadership communication programs to strengthen communication capabilities across their teams. Learn more at lisaelia.com.
To arrange a complimentary consultation, visit https://calendly.com/emt-appt/consultation-lisa-elia
To arrange a free consultation, call us at 310-479-0217. Or, you can email us at team@expertmediatraining.com
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 | Media Training
When members of the media book an interview with an entertainer, they expect someone to walk in the door prepared and ready to be entertaining. Many interviewers will assume that all actors and music artists love to be on camera or in the limelight, but what some do not realize is that many performers simply want to do what they love.
Actors, music artists and other entertainers should be prepared for media interviews and public appearances with proper training so they deliver the information that will interest their fans and engage people in their projects, feel confident and exude great energy, while maintaining their boundaries about what they do/don’t wish to share.
If you represent actors, music artists or others in the entertainment industry, having your clients prepared with media training will ensure that they deliver their best in interviews and that you will maintain great relationships with your media contacts.
Media interview tip for entertainers #1:
This is what members of the media expect guests from the entertainment industry to bring to media interviews:
• personality
• to hear about the interviewee’s projects and passions (causes, fashion, family, etc.)
• insider information (what went on at a recent recording session or shoot, the artist’s inspirations)
• entertaining stories and anecdotes
• and, in some cases, to reveal things that no one knows
Media interview tip for entertainers #2:
Members of the media want guests who are:
• interesting
• able to express themselves well
• easy to work with
• able to present themselves and their ideas smoothly
• approachable
• appealing to the audience
• punctual
• respectful
• professional
• and aware of the media outlet’s audience and format
Media interview tip for entertainers #3
To get the most from the sessions you arrange to provide media training for entertainers or actors, or media training for music artists, be sure to provide the media trainer with the facts surrounding the client’s projects and potentially sensitive issues that might arise.
When providing media training for entertainers, or any other type of client, we begin with a strategy session with the actor or artist and/or with his or her team members. We know how important every interview is, especially now that every word can live on indefinitely through social media.
To arrange training sessions for your clients, yourself or your team, contact us at team@expertmediatraining.com or 310-479-0217
To learn more about our media training for actors, music artists, and performers, visit https://expertmediatraining.com/media-training-for-actors-and-performers/
Here are links to a few other articles you might find interesting:
Top Media Training and Communication Tips
Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid in Media Interviews
Top 10 Media Relations Tips – Media Training Tips from a Media Trainer
How to Create an Online Press Room That the Media Will Love.
Prepare for TV Interviews BEFORE You Book One
Media Training Tips on The Language of Your Brand in Media Interviews
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 | Media Training
Why I Became a Media Trainer after Years as a Publicist
One of the reasons I began media training my clients when I was a publicist is that after sending clients through media training with other trainers, there were some things missing:
Most of the trainers I encountered were former journalists who were good at what they did overall, but most did not understand that many people who face media interviews did not choose the spotlight. Even many actors and music artists, who people might assume love the spotlight, do not necessarily love interviews with the media. Many people who appear to be confident in most situations can become nervous before or during interviews. NOT addressing potential nervousness and providing clients with specific techniques can leave a gap in their training.
I found myself taking clients through preparation techniques that I had learned years ago when I was refining my own skills as a public speaker, studying at Uta Hagen’s reputable HB Studios in New York, and with other internationally acclaimed speech and movement teachers in New York and Philadelphia.
The second reason that I became a media trainer is that I was able to incorporate more business strategy into client’s training sessions than I had witnessed from other trainers.
Media interviews provide a unique opportunity to reach thousands or millions of people through a trusted medium. There are often layers of strategy and preparation that affect other aspects of a client’s career or company that should be considered when planning a media training session, in order to make the most of every media interview opportunity.
Because I had spent years as a public relations professional, working with executives to create growth and distribution strategies and strategic alliances, I knew how important it was to train clients to think about their responses and behavior in media interviews within the context of their bigger goals.
As I began receiving media training requests from colleagues and friends of my clients, I knew the questions to ask in our preparation session to make the most of our media training sessions.
The quality of your media training can affect your brand and your bottom line.
As I began receiving requests to media train people who were not my public relations clients, I created methods and techniques to work with a wide variety of clients. I found that my formal education in communication (not broadcasting, but actual human communication) added great value to my training sessions.
Another reason I became a media trainer is that I saw that a few adjustments to a client’s communication behaviors could yield great benefits in many areas of their professional lives.
Sometimes small shifts in a client’s nonverbal behavior or communication style can make a significant difference in his or her effectiveness in every interview, speech, or conversation. One of the easiest and most natural situations in which to recommend such shifts is a media training or presentation training session.
By drawing upon my formal training in communication (not broadcasting, but verbal and nonverbal communication), I could provide feedback that went a bit deeper than what I had been seeing.
An additional reason I became a media trainer is that I have a broader perspective about what members of the media want than many media trainers who base their opinions only on the organizations where they worked as journalists.
The insights that I had gained from my decades of experience working with a wide array of top TV and radio bookers and journalists, to set up interviews and to shape show segments, have provided me with a breadth of knowledge about what will work best in a wide variety of media situations.
I have also interviewed numerous members of the media about what they like, do not like, and look for, in guests they interview. The outlets these media pros represent include The Associated Press, Clear Channel Radio, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Los Angeles Times, SELF, Fitness, Natural Health, E! Entertainment, and many other top outlets.
One reason my media training practice continues to grow is that I have many very satisfied clients.
If you want to find out if my media training services are a good fit for you, set up a free consultation call.
Here are links to articles with media training tips:
For a Media Interview Checklist to keep on hand, click here.
To read my Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid in Media Interviews, click here.
To read How to Create an Online Press Room That the Media Will Love, click here.
For Media Training Tips on The Language of Your Brand in Media Interviews, click here.
Prepare for TV Interviews BEFORE You Book One. Click here.
If you would like to reach our office, call 310-479-0217.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014 | Media Training
When preparing for an interview, make sure you have all the items on your media interview checklist ready to go.
Many media interviews take place with very little notice. It’s not unusual to receive an interview request within hours (or minutes) of when it’s to take place.
You want to be prepared so that, even on your busiest days, you’re ready to say “yes” to a last-minute media interview request.
If you don’t one already, here’s a quick list of items to have ready before an interview:
1. your “elevator pitch” or introduction
2. key message points you want to deliver
3. a plan to handle the tough questions as well as the simple ones
4. specific calls to action that you want to incorporate into your responses
5. clothing and shoes ready to go (including jewelry and handbag/tote/briefcase, if any of these items suit you)
6. a plan for hair and make-up (men, you might need to have sheer powder on hand to reduce shine)
These are theitems to have ready before an interview, however, it is also important to receive proper media training if you haven’t already done so. If you require media training, you can find more information on our services here: https://expertmediatraining.com/services/.
For additional tips on media training and preparing for an interview, read some of our other blog posts:
Body Language in Interviews and Meetings – Nonverbal Communication:
Prepare for TV Interviews:
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 | Communication, Media Training, Presentation Training
The immediate feedback that you can receive with live media training is the best way to gain awareness of your body language, but the following tips will get you started.
Whether you’re meeting with a potential new client or a big decision maker who could change your life with a major deal, like an endorsement deal, a TV deal, or a book deal, paying attention to nonverbal communication (body language) can make or break the deal.
It is estimated that more than 90% of communication is nonverbal. People observe your nonverbal behaviors to determine whether you seem nervous, honest, confident, competent, and lots of other things.
What’s your body saying?
Here are body language do’s and don’ts for meetings:
Body Language Don’ts in Meetings:
Don’t slouch, as doing so can make you appear sloppy, uninterested or lacking in confidence.
Don’t stand with most of your weight leaning to one side, as this can make you appear less confident and less steady.
Don’t tilt your head too much, as it makes you appear unsure.
Don’t look down while you’re listening, as many people do: this could make you appear disengaged.
Don’t cross your legs and your ankles simultaneously (as some very flexible people do), as it makes you appear insecure.
Don’t cross your arms in front of you, as this can make you appear defensive.
Don’t play with your jewelry or anything else.
Don’t fidget. Watch your feet: fidgety feet are often the strongest indicator of nervousness, and a good interviewer may pick up on this.
Body Language Do’s in Meetings:
Offer your hand for a firm handshake, at the beginning and end of a meeting. If the person you are meeting has his or her hands full, or if he or she doesn’t respond, simply lower your hand.
Sit and stand with straight, but not stiff, posture. Your ears should be aligned above your shoulders.
Make eye contact with the person you’re speaking to, but don’t stare. It’s natural to look away periodically for a second or two.
Smile when you say hello and goodbye, and when you are talking about your greatest achievements.
Nod slightly in agreement when the person you are meeting with is telling you about himself or herself or the company or project, and smile when appropriate. Your body language will show your enthusiasm for the opportunity, and this is one of the things that people want to see.
Pay attention to the person’s nonverbal behavior. For example, if the person you are meeting with begins to look away or look at his or her watch while you are speaking, finish what you are saying quickly.
Before you go into your interview, roll your shoulders back and forth, take a few calming breaths and stretch your neck and body. All of these things will help to relax you, keep you out of “fight or flight” mode, and reduce the tension that can cause the shoulders to hunch and the diaphragm to be compressed. By opening and relaxing the body, you should have a stronger, steadier voice, and you should feel and appear more confident.
If you tend to fidget, simply cross your ankles.
If you want to learn more about body language and to sharpen all of your communication skills and you want a self-paced, online learning experience, explore my courses.
If you want to learn about our media training and presentation training services, click here: https://expertmediatraining.com/services
Contact us to arrange a consultation with Lisa.
Call us at 310-479-0217.
Friday, October 18, 2013 | Communication, Media Training, Public Speaking
The use of acronyms and abbreviations seems to have increased significantly over the past decade, primarily due to the growth of texting and the shrinking of sentences to fit within Twitter’s character limits.
The use of acronyms and abbreviations in media interviews or speeches can often create confusion, turn people off and, possibly, make you appear less eloquent than you are.
The difference between acronyms and abbreviations:
An acronym is pronounced like a word and is generally comprised of the first letter of each word in a phrase. Example: SWOT (which stands for “strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats”).
An abbreviation consists of the first letter of each word in a phrase or name, but each letter is pronounced individually. Example: D.I.Y. (which stands for “do it yourself”).
Of course, the above acronym and abbreviation could each have other meanings, but these are among the most common meanings for them. This brings me to the first of my tips for using acronyms and abbreviations effectively in media interviews or speeches:
1. Avoid using acronyms or abbreviations that could easily be confused with more commonly known ones. For example, if my team and I referred to our company as “E.M.T.”, rather than Expert Media Training™, a large percentage of people would be confused because “E.M.T.” is commonly used to describe an “emergency medical technician”. The difference is vast: if there’s a speech emergency I can help you, but you probably don’t want me intubating you.
2. Avoid using abbreviations or acronyms that may not be known to the majority of your audience. If you are in a media interview or giving a speech that will last more than a few minutes, and you plan on using an abbreviation to refer to something with a long name, explain this the first time you mention the full name associated with the abbreviation. This should be practiced during your media training, so you become fluid with your delivery.
3. If you can create an acronym for a system you have created or something else you want people to remember, this can be very useful for marketing and for making you memorable. If you plan to use the acronym in a media interview or speech, explain what it means early on.
4. In broadcast interviews or speeches, don’t use abbreviations that contain more syllables than the words themselves. Example: using “G.W.P.” (5 syllables) instead of “gift with purchase” (4 syllables). You could probably get away with this in an article you author, but this kind of “marketing speak” rarely impresses people.
5. If, during an interview or speech, you use abbreviations that are replacements for slang expressions, like “LOL” or “OMG”, know that this will convey a certain image of you. If you use these facetiously, it will shape your image in a different way.
6. If you use too many acronyms or abbreviations throughout your interview or speech, people may think you spend too much time texting and not enough time working…unless you work in social media, perhaps.
7. Choose your acronyms and abbreviations as consciously as you would other words and phrases, and you should be fine. I was tempted to use a lot of acronyms here, but I didn’t want you to TIWAJ. (I’ll let your imagination work on what TIWAJ could mean.)
For more media training and presentation training tips provided by Media Trainer Lisa Elia, the founder of Expert Media Training™, visit https://expertmediatraining.com/blog
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 | Interview Skills, Media Training
I was on Entertainment Tonight recently, sharing my PR and media training expertise.
This was my fourth segment with ET, and the show producers had called me two other times when I wasn’t able to tape the segments due to scheduling conflicts. However, I believe that one of the reasons the producers have called me so much is that I’m easy to work with.
As a media trainer, I offer you these tips to prepare for TV interviews:
1. If you are positioning yourself as an expert, stay up on research, trends and news related to your field and think about how to articulate various aspects of your work so that you can easily answer questions about it. If you have not had media training yet, do not wait until the day before you have an interview. Get it as soon as you begin to think about putting yourself into the public eye so that you have time to work with your media trainer on creating clear responses to questions and on polishing your delivery.
2. Have your preparation ritual down, so that you can center yourself and get your energy up with very little notice. Quite often, you will receive requests for interviews that must take place within hours, or sometimes minutes. Having a good preparation ritual that you use to get in performance mode can give you the confidence to say “yes” to great opportunities, even when you are very busy.
Preparation rituals are included in all of our programs. When we have provided media training for actors or music artists, we have observed that they love our techniques, because they are based in acting training and movement training.
When we provide media training for athletes, they too appreciate the use of a quick preparation ritual, as most of them use them in their professional work.
3. Knowing that many media interviews come up very quickly (sometimes with less than 24 hours’ notice), have your wardrobe ready to go, have your hair cut and colored the way you want it, nails manicured, etc., at all times. This is the life of a public figure, which is what you become if you put yourself out into the public eye as an expert.
4. Try to accommodate last-minute media requests, if you can. If you say “no”, someone else will say “yes”.
Suze Orman skyrocketed into the public spotlight because she told the producers of The Oprah Winfrey Show that she could be an emergency guest. They asked her to fly in and sit in the front row so they could ask her a question: she answered it so much to Oprah’s liking that Oprah asked her back, and rest is history.
You can watch my interviews on Entertainment Tonight and learn more about the media interviews that have arisen for me as a media trainer and PR expert at https://expertmediatraining.com/press-room/.
To further prepare for TV interviews, use the quick list of items to have ready to go, which you can find on this blog post:
Here are some other links you may find useful in preparing for media interviews:
Media Training Resources
https://expertmediatraining.com/media-training-resources/
Top 10 Media Relations Tips – Media Training Tips
https://expertmediatraining.com/media-training-tips-for-good-media-relations/
Frequently Asked Questions about Media Training
https://expertmediatraining.com/faqs-about-media-training/
Monday, January 14, 2013 | Media Training
Have you put off seeking press coverage because you don’t feel ready or you don’t know how to present yourself to the media?
This is a valid concern, and the following information will help you to prepare yourself.
Here are three things you need to “be” before you begin, which will help you learn how to present yourself to the media:
1. Be willing to shape your messaging to suit the needs of the media. There is a manner in which media outlets capture their audience’s attention. You must speak their language.
2. Be open to setting up a simple system that will make it easier to receive an abundance of new business inquiries and product orders.
3. Be responsive. You must respond to feedback and requests from the media promptly.
Now that you have tips on how to present yourself to the media, go deeper.
Here are some helpful links:
Media Training and Presentation Training Videos — They’re filled with tips.
Top Media Interview and Communication Tips
Glossary of Media Interview Terms
Prepare for TV Interviews Before You Book One
Friday, November 2, 2012 | Interview Skills, Media Training, Public Speaking
“Committing to the moment” is something almost any acting student hears over and over again. However, anyone who speaks publicly or who is interviewed by the media can also benefit from creating a practice to help them commit to the moment.
Ideally, in any interview or presentation situation, you want to be completely engaged. The moment you stop listening or being fully present, even for a nanosecond, you risk missing an important point or not answering a question as eloquently as you’d like.
When you truly commit to the moment, with the understanding that every time you are being interviewed by the media or speaking to a group that is your only opportunity to reach your audience with your message at that precise time in history, you will be effective and you will have few regrets.
The ability to commit to the moment generally comes from your habits and preparation. Consider the following:
How do you clear your head and focus on the interview or presentation, without allowing your mind to wander on to other matters awaiting you at the office or elsewhere?
Do you have a ritual to help you shift your attention from whatever you were doing prior to an interview and onto the interview itself?
Do you maintain daily habits that keep your mind sharp and your energy up?
I recommend practicing being fully committed to the moment during situations where the stakes are not very high, such as a casual staff meeting or even when you’re walking down the street or buying a latte. If you’re generally a multi-tasker, it may take some concentrated effort to really listen and connect with the barista or to notice the sights, sounds and smells around you. Doing this on a regular basis will help you become more aware of the sensation of being fully present.
Now that you have tips on how to commit to the moment, do you need additional media training information? Check out these blog posts:
What Are We Saving It For? A Media Trainer’s Thoughts on Committing to the Moment
Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid in Media Interviews
Top 10 Media Relations Tips – Media Training Tips from a Media Trainer
Media Training Tips on The Language of Your Brand in Media Interviews
For additional communication tips, check out my courses at https://lisaelia.com/courses
When members of the media book an interview with an entertainer, they expect someone to walk in the door prepared and ready to be entertaining. Many interviewers will assume that all actors and music artists love to be on camera or in the limelight, but what some do not realize is that many performers simply want to do what they love.
