Know Your Facts to Book More Interviews

Know Your Facts to Book More Interviews

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.

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Communication Matters logo; newsletter by Communication Expert, Media Trainer, Presentation Trainer, and Investor Pitch Coach Lisa Elia
Lisa Elia, Media Trainer, Presentation Trainer, and Communication Expert, and Founder of Expert Media TrainingThis post was written by Lisa Elia, a media trainer, presentation trainer, pitch coach, communication expert, and speaker. She trains clients around the world for media interviews, speeches, internal and external presentations, panels, investor presentations, and promotional videos, and provides executive and team communication coaching.

With more than 25 years of experience, Lisa has prepared clients for interviews with TODAY, GMA, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, ESPN, and hundreds of other outlets. Lisa has shared her expertise with national media outlets that include Inc., Entertainment Tonight, E!, and many others. Clients include entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between as well as athletes, celebrities, and other public figures.

 

To arrange a complimentary consultation with Lisa, click here.

For more media training tips that will help you to book more interviews, visit these links on our site:

Register for our newsletter.

Media Training Tips for Actors, Music Artists and Performers

Media Interview Checklist from a Los Angeles Media Trainer

Body Language in Interviews and Meetings – Nonverbal Communication

 

To arrange a free consultation, call us at 310-479-0217.

Or, you can email us at team@expertmediatraining.com

Glossary of Media Interview Terms

Glossary of Media Interview Terms

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/

Would you like more tips and articles delivered straight to your inbox? 

Click here. 

Communication Matters logo; newsletter by Communication Expert, Media Trainer, Presentation Trainer, and Investor Pitch Coach Lisa Elia
Lisa Elia, Media Trainer, Presentation Trainer, and Communication Expert, and Founder of Expert Media TrainingThis post was written by Lisa Elia, a media trainer, presentation trainer, pitch coach, communication expert, and speaker. She trains clients around the world for media interviews, speeches, internal and external presentations, panels, investor presentations, and promotional videos, and provides executive and team communication coaching.

With more than 25 years of experience, Lisa has prepared clients for interviews with TODAY, GMA, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, ESPN, and hundreds of other outlets. Lisa has shared her expertise with national media outlets that include Inc., Entertainment Tonight, E!, and many others. Clients include entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between as well as athletes, celebrities, and other public figures.

 

To arrange a complimentary consultation with Lisa, click here.

To arrange a free consultation, call us at 310-479-0217. Or, you can email us at team@expertmediatraining.com

Media Interview Tips for Entertainers

Tuesday, October 7, 2014 | Media Training

Media Interview Tips for Entertainers, Actors, Music Artists and Performers - from a Los Angeles Media Trainer Lisa Elia, of Expert Media Training™ in Los Angeles and worldwideWhen 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

Media Interview Checklist from a Los Angeles Media Trainer

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.

Media interview image on Media Interview Checklist from Expert Media Training™, Los AngelesMany media interviews take place with very little notice. It’s not unusual for a member of the media to request an interview to take place within hours (or minutes).

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 the items 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/.

If you want to share this media interview checklist with your friends, you can do so by using the share buttons below.

If you want additional tips on media training and preparing for an interview, read some of the other blog posts by Los Angeles Media Trainer Lisa Elia:

Body Language in Interviews and Meetings – Nonverbal Communication:

https://expertmediatraining.com/body-language-in-interviews-and-meetings/

Prepare for TV Interviews:

https://expertmediatraining.com/prepare-for-tv-interviews-media-trainer-tips/

How to Be a Great Interviewer or Moderator

How to Be a Great Interviewer or Moderator

Tuesday, August 5, 2014 | Interview Skills, Panel Moderating, Panels, Speaker Training

At some point, you may find yourself in the position of interviewing people or moderating panels. If you’re not prepared for this, you can feel out of your depths.

Recently, when I moderated a panel at “Expressions of Peace,” a wonderful event that our client PeaceNow held, several people asked me how I prepared. Admittedly, I’ve been interviewing people since I was in journalism classes when I was 19 years old, and I have continued to refine my process over the years. Here are some tips on how to be a great interviewer or moderator.

How to Be a Great Interviewer or Moderator

1. If you want to learn how to be a great interviewer, watch great interviewers, like Lester Holt, Oprah Winfrey, and Anderson Cooper. Pay attention to their timing and rhythm, and note how much research they have done to prepare prior to an interview. Study people who do both well. 

2. Do your research. Take the time to research the topics to be discussed and the people you will be interviewing/moderating. Read up on current events so you can tie them into the discussion when appropriate. When you have done your research, you will be better able to quickly formulate questions and effectively lead the interview or panel discussion.

3. Practice encapsulating others’ rambling speeches. A good interviewer or moderator can sum up what was said on the spot. While some people are naturally more adept at this than others, this skill can be improved with practice.

4. Write out some questions you plan to ask during the interview or panel discussion. It’s good to have more questions than you will need to fill the time, and then to put them in order of priority, so you ask the juiciest, most interesting questions at the beginning, middle, and end of the interview or discussion. You want to lead people on a journey and keep them engaged.

5. Develop a preparation ritual to relax and center yourself before you begin your interview or panel discussion. No amount of research or knowledge will help you if you get so nervous that your body goes into a “fight-or-flight” response and you forget what you’re saying. Having a ritual to help you control your breathing, relax your body and focus your thoughts will help you to center yourself so you can be more fully present and enjoy the moment.

6. Control the audience. If you open the floor to an audience Q&A, know that there will be some people who want to take the opportunity to promote their agendas, rather than contribute to a discussion. Be sure to bring the conversation back to the topic that the panel is discussing. You may have to politely cut someone off, but it can be done with grace. Other articles that include tips that may interest anyone who wants to know how to be a great interviewer or moderator are provided here:

6 Tips for Effective Presentations

https://expertmediatraining.com/how-to-prepare-for-presentations/

Media Training Resources (communication studies and useful links)

https://expertmediatraining.com/media-training-resources/

Body Language in Interviews and Meetings

https://expertmediatraining.com/body-language-in-interviews-and-meetings/

How to Ace Every Presentation

https://expertmediatraining.com/ace-every-presentation/

Individual or group training inquiries should be directed to team@expertmediatraining.com  or 310-479-0217.

Would you like more tips and articles delivered straight to your inbox? 

Click here. 

Communication Matters logo; newsletter by Communication Expert, Media Trainer, Presentation Trainer, and Investor Pitch Coach Lisa Elia
Lisa Elia, Media Trainer, Presentation Trainer, and Communication Expert, and Founder of Expert Media TrainingThis post was written by Lisa Elia, a media trainer, presentation trainer, pitch coach, communication expert, and speaker. She trains clients around the world for media interviews, speeches, internal and external presentations, panels, investor presentations, and promotional videos, and provides executive and team communication coaching.

With more than 25 years of experience, Lisa has prepared clients for interviews with TODAY, GMA, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, ESPN, and hundreds of other outlets. Lisa has shared her expertise with national media outlets that include Inc., Entertainment Tonight, E!, and many others. Clients include entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between as well as athletes, celebrities, and other public figures.

 

To arrange a complimentary consultation with Lisa, click here.

What Are We Saving It For? Committing to the Moment

What Are We Saving It For? Committing to the Moment

Saturday, July 26, 2014 | Communication

Sometimes we “save it.”

I’m not talking about money. I’m talking about the way we sometimes hold back on giving our all or going all out, in our day-to-day interactions, rather than committing to the moment.

But, what if this is it?

Every moment could be our last. Not to be a downer, but that’s the reality of life. We are all mortal.

So, what are we saving it for?

For people who take the spotlight, we know when we need to amp ourselves up before we make a presentation or take the stage.

But, do we still hold back just a little?

Or, do we sometimes take for granted our ability to turn it on moments before we need to, when maybe we could have brought even more depth if we had put in the time, given it more thought, shared more personally and thought more universally?

Here’s an inspiration for you. Jim Carrey’s wonderful commencement speech is worth watching, if you haven’t seen it yet.

I love that even though Jim Carrey is one of the most successful actors of our time, and that he’s naturally quite eloquent, it’s clear that he spent a significant amount of time developing the content of his speech and rehearsing so that he could take the audience on a magnificent, enlivening journey. His passion and desire to inspire are palpable.

Since most of us won’t be invited to deliver commencement speeches, Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich wrote what she would like to say to a graduating class. Her inspiring, personal, and yet, widely resonant, words were put to music by Baz Luhrmann: the song, “Everybody’s Free (to Wear Sunscreen)” was one of 1999’s biggest hits.

Listen to it here, courtesy of VH1.

This line from the song/speech hit me when I first heard it: “Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.” I’ve often felt that my two sisters and my brother have been among my greatest influences in life. (My husband is grateful that my brother helped me develop an appreciation for juvenile humor.)

Great works of art and speeches like these remind me that most of us can simultaneously elevate our speech, allow ourselves to share the depths of our thoughts, and relax and enjoy the lightness of life.

We don’t have to mimic others. Each of us has a unique style and voice.

You don’t have to be just like anyone, except yourself.

Let’s commit to not allowing things to get in the way of having extraordinary interactions every day.

No more halfhearted conversations while our minds wander to our “to do” lists.

No more spouting platitudes because we don’t want to dig a little deeper and fully commit to the moment.

No more “saving it.”

Let’s each of us commit to bringing our full and wise, insightful, delightful selves to every interaction!

What do you think?

Here are some links to other articles that you may find interesting:

Body Language Do’s and Don’ts for Interviews and Meetings – Nonverbal Communication Tips from a Media Trainer

I’m Just a… And Other Undermining Statements to Avoid – Communication Tips from a Media Trainer

Glossary of Media Interview Terms – from Los Angeles Media Trainer Lisa Elia

Authenticity and Your Message – a Note from a Media Trainer

 

Would you like more tips and articles delivered straight to your inbox? 

Click here. 

Communication Matters logo; newsletter by Communication Expert, Media Trainer, Presentation Trainer, and Investor Pitch Coach Lisa Elia
Lisa Elia, Media Trainer, Presentation Trainer, and Communication Expert, and Founder of Expert Media TrainingThis post was written by Lisa Elia, a media trainer, presentation trainer, pitch coach, communication expert, and speaker. She trains clients around the world for media interviews, speeches, internal and external presentations, panels, investor presentations, and promotional videos, and provides executive and team communication coaching.

With more than 25 years of experience, Lisa has prepared clients for interviews with TODAY, GMA, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, ESPN, and hundreds of other outlets. Lisa has shared her expertise with national media outlets that include Inc., Entertainment Tonight, E!, and many others. Clients include entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between as well as athletes, celebrities, and other public figures.

 

To arrange a complimentary consultation with Lisa, click here.

Authenticity and Your Message

Authenticity and Your Message

Friday, June 20, 2014 | Communication, Media Interview Tips, Messaging, Presentation Training

When I see women posting videos and announcing that they’re not wearing any make-up because they want to be authentic, I feel that is inauthentic. The presence or absence of cosmetics is not what determines the authenticity of one’s message; the truthfulness and honesty of the message is what makes it authentic. Pretending you are not preparing yourself or your message is inauthentic. If you have the forethought to turn on your video camera and then post and share your video, is it really a spur-of-the-moment thought-share? Isn’t it more authentic to present yourself the way you would present yourself for the public before you turn on your video camera? Announcing that you are about to “be authentic” is also not necessary. Unless you are intimating that you are lying most of the time, shouldn’t we assume that you are being authentic and honest all of the time? Preparing your message and yourself before you make any public statement, whether it’s a Facebook post, a YouTube video or a formal speech, does not make it, nor you, inauthentic. Preparation and the refinement of your message shows that you care about what you are communicating.

Authenticity is felt immediately. It doesn’t need to be announced.

Authenticity doesn’t need to be announced in media interviews or presentations either.

In media training sessions, we coach our clients to avoid saying, “honestly,” or “I’m going to be honest with you now,” because these words and phrases can beg the question, “Were you not being honest the rest of the time that you were speaking?” People will trust you if you convey trustworthiness with your words and body language. You don’t need to ask them to trust you…unless you’ve betrayed their trust, in which case you would need more specific media training and strategy or crisis communication services. You can follow everything you’ve learned in your media training or presentation training, and still communicate the messages that will lead you to your goals or address important issues.

Communicating with authenticity means letting go of pretense.

Would you like more tips and articles delivered straight to your inbox? 

Click here. 

Communication Matters logo; newsletter by Communication Expert, Media Trainer, Presentation Trainer, and Investor Pitch Coach Lisa Elia
Lisa Elia, Media Trainer, Presentation Trainer, and Communication Expert, and Founder of Expert Media TrainingThis post was written by Lisa Elia, a media trainer, presentation trainer, pitch coach, communication expert, and speaker. She trains clients around the world for media interviews, speeches, internal and external presentations, panels, investor presentations, and promotional videos, and provides executive and team communication coaching.

With more than 25 years of experience, Lisa has prepared clients for interviews with TODAY, GMA, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, ESPN, and hundreds of other outlets. Lisa has shared her expertise with national media outlets that include Inc., Entertainment Tonight, E!, and many others. Clients include entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between as well as athletes, celebrities, and other public figures.

 

To arrange a complimentary consultation with Lisa, click here.

Body Language Do's and Don'ts for Interviews and Meetings

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.

Body Language in Interviews and Meetings - Nonverbal Communication - blog post by Los Angeles Media Trainer and PR Expert Lisa Elia

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, my Confident and Clear program could be just what you need. Click here for more information: https://expertmediatraining.com/confident-and-clear

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.

How to Commit to Your Word and Yourself

How to Commit to Your Word and Yourself

Thursday, May 29, 2014 | Business Tips, Communication, Messaging

Much is said about committing to your word in business. It’s always been important and has become increasingly so in today’s transparent world.

While most of us want to keep our word every day, we sometimes set ourselves up for failure by promising too much, too soon. When working with the media, your team, or your clients, your word is everything! 

Committing to your word:

If a new project or opportunity comes along, think about whether or not you really want to do it. If you don’t, you’ll have trouble sticking with it and honoring your commitments. If you don’t light up at the thought of taking on a project, let it go and leave room and time for the things that will. My experience in my business has been that when we pass on what’s not right for us and refer those people to other firms, great new clients appear.

Once you’ve taken on a project, commit to it 100%. (Obvious, yes, but does it always happen?) Anticipate that there may be some unforeseen delays when estimating delivery times on your projects so you can provide a realistic timeframe to your clients. Even with the best intentions, things can happen that make it impossible for you to deliver on a promise or meet a deadline–natural disasters, power outages, flight delays. If you can’t keep your word to someone, explain why you can’t do so, preferably before they expect you to deliver on your promise. People are usually more understanding when they’re told what’s going on. If you’re thinking that you just don’t feel like doing something you’ve committed to, consider this:

  1. Would the other party be happy to change the commitment? Sometimes that person you’re supposed to meet for dinner is just as tired as you and is hoping you’ll cancel. Call and discuss it.

2. Why don’t you want to keep your commitment? Have you changed your goals? Are there other changes in your life that make it impossible to do so? Or, are you just taking the easy way out?

3. What happens if you don’t keep your commitment? Will you disappoint someone? Will you disappoint yourself?

4. How will you feel if you commit to something and really go for it, full-on? What if you do whatever it takes to meet your commitments to others and yourself? How powerful and confident would you feel then?

When you think about the commitments you make, whether or not you keep them, and how you honor them, remember that your word is really all you have. When people trust you because you’ve demonstrated that you keep your word, they will be more likely to give you money, business, referrals, friendship, and love.

Your word is like spiritual currency. Spend it wisely.

 

Here are a few other useful links:

Does the Way You Talk About Yourself Help or Hinder You https://expertmediatraining.com/the-way-you-talk-about-yourself/

Media Training Resources https://expertmediatraining.com/media-training-resources/

Frequently Asked Questions about Media Training https://expertmediatraining.com/faqs-about-media-training/

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Communication Matters logo; newsletter by Communication Expert, Media Trainer, Presentation Trainer, and Investor Pitch Coach Lisa Elia
Lisa Elia, Media Trainer, Presentation Trainer, and Communication Expert, and Founder of Expert Media TrainingThis post was written by Lisa Elia, a media trainer, presentation trainer, pitch coach, communication expert, and speaker. She trains clients around the world for media interviews, speeches, internal and external presentations, panels, investor presentations, and promotional videos, and provides executive and team communication coaching.

With more than 25 years of experience, Lisa has prepared clients for interviews with TODAY, GMA, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, ESPN, and hundreds of other outlets. Lisa has shared her expertise with national media outlets that include Inc., Entertainment Tonight, E!, and many others. Clients include entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between as well as athletes, celebrities, and other public figures.

 

To arrange a complimentary consultation with Lisa, click here.

How to Create an Online Media Page That Bookers Will Love

How to Create an Online Media Page That Bookers Will Love

Saturday, December 28, 2013 | Media Relations

Most people who are in business or who are experts, authors, or entertainers, would love to be featured in, or on, major media outlets, not only so they can spread their messages to millions of people quickly, but because large media outlets have a trusted following. This “third-party endorsement” from the trusted editors, writers, and producers at the media outlets goes a long way in building their audiences’ trust in you and providing a third-party endorsement to your potential clients or customers!

If you want to see your face or words in the media, you need to know how to present your information the way the media want to see it. The first place most media members go to check you out is your website. Then, they will immediately look for an online media page where they hope to find everything they need to determine whether or not they to include you in an upcoming broadcast or article.

Following is a list of items to include on an online media page.

If you don’t have them all, just begin with the elements you do have, and continue to add components as you develop them.

• On your online media page, post the words “Media contact” followed by the name, email address, and phone number of the person who will handle calls and inquiries from the media on your behalf. It’s okay if it’s you.

Do not skip the phone number or email address here. Members of the media do not like to fill out online forms, and they frequently need to reach potential guests quickly. If they can’t call you, they may move on to someone who is more accessible.

• Include your biography and/or company backgrounder on your media page.

If you are an expert, you might only have a biography. If you have a company that exists beyond yourself, you might also have a company backgrounder.

• Your video reel or videos of you speaking should be near the top of your media page.

If you have not yet been interviewed on TV, you can include other videos of yourself speaking, to give the media an idea of how you come across. Be sure the quality is good and that you are talking about topics that are relevant to the way you are positioning yourself.

If you don’t have any videos yet and you have not obtained any prior media training, a few media training sessions with a seasoned media trainer will boost your clarity, confidence, and poise on camera. Just a couple of media training sessions can help you to capture the attention of television producers with your videos. 

For experts or people who want to do a lot of demonstrations in the media, include video segments of you providing tips or information or doing demonstrations. If you can make these segments downloadable from your media page for news producers to capture and include in news segments, you’ll have an advantage over your competition. 

Be sure your video content is viewable on your website and on your media page: don’t use links that will lead people away from your site and onto YouTube, Vimeo, or elsewhere. If your videos are hosted on YouTube or Vimeo, you can create a playlist and embed it onto your website. This would allow members of the media to watch several videos of you, within one small frame on your page. I use Vimeo Plus so that I can have my videos on my site, without the Vimeo logo and without other people’s videos being shown following mine, as YouTube videos often do.

• An audio reel or links to audio interviews can also be included on your media page.

If you have not yet been interviewed on the radio, but decide to include other audio recordings, such as those from teleseminars, only include top-quality content. You may want to edit it to capture only the best parts of each teleseminar.

• On your media page, post a list of topics you can discuss, and story or segment ideas.

Conduct some research to determine what has already been covered extensively in the media, and then think of some topics that are compelling.

To get a sense of how to write your list of topics, look at media outlets’ websites, the covers of magazines, and other print media, and pay attention to the way guests are announced on the TV and radio shows where you would like to be featured. One of the topics or segment ideas on your list may be the very reason a member of the media decides to create a TV segment or article featuring you.

• Include links to press releases, news clippings, and articles you have authored on your media page.

If you include links to the media outlets’ sites, check them frequently: many media outlets regularly move content on their sites.

• Create interesting fact sheets for your media page.

To increase your chances of gaining media coverage include a fact sheet(s) on your media page that includes background information on topics related to your area of expertise, relevant facts and statistics from universities and research institutes, and professional associations. Be sure to use reputable sources, such as top universities or institutions, for the data you include in your fact sheets, and be sure to credit all sources. It is good to include a link to the source of the information, so a member of the press who wants to quickly verify it can do so.

•If your work includes creating transformations of any kind, whether you transform environments or people, include before-and-after images in your downloadable photo gallery. Just make sure you have the right to publish all the photos you use.

• Authors should include a link to a book one-sheet on their media pages.

This document usually contains a one- to two-paragraph description of your book with bullet points of the major topics covered in the book, top reviews for the book, a photo of the book cover, a photo of yourself, and a brief paragraph about you (approximately one or two paragraphs). Include the publishing information, ISBN number, price, publishing date, and stores or sites where the book is available.

• Testimonials can be included on your media page but be sure to only include those that don’t sound too salesy. 

Put the most important elements above the fold, including your “media contact” information, video(s) of you, a photo of you, and at least a few sentences of your biography. For those who don’t know what “above the fold” means, it’s an expression that refers to a folded newspaper: the most important news was usually placed “above the fold”. On a web page, “above the fold” generally refers to whatever is visible before someone scrolls down.

The more you present yourself and your offerings in a professional, organized, and accessible manner, the more likely you will be to capture the attention of the media and keep them coming back to you.

Here are more links that you may find helpful.

For a Media Interview Checklist to keep on hand, click here.

This Glossary of Media Interview Terms will also be useful: https://expertmediatraining.com/media-interview-terms-from-los-angeles-media-trainer

Prepare for TV Interviews BEFORE You Book One. Click here to read this post.

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Click here. 

Communication Matters logo; newsletter by Communication Expert, Media Trainer, Presentation Trainer, and Investor Pitch Coach Lisa Elia
Lisa Elia, Media Trainer, Presentation Trainer, and Communication Expert, and Founder of Expert Media TrainingThis post was written by Lisa Elia, a media trainer, presentation trainer, pitch coach, communication expert, and speaker. She trains clients around the world for media interviews, speeches, internal and external presentations, panels, investor presentations, and promotional videos, and provides executive and team communication coaching.

With more than 25 years of experience, Lisa has prepared clients for interviews with TODAY, GMA, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, ESPN, and hundreds of other outlets. Lisa has shared her expertise with national media outlets that include Inc., Entertainment Tonight, E!, and many others. Clients include entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between as well as athletes, celebrities, and other public figures.

 

To arrange a complimentary consultation with Lisa, click here.

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