Who you gonna call… when the media calls?
Seven Word Summary: Training is essential for maximising media opportunities.
It is often said that public speaking is one of the greatest fears for many people.
We could easily add another, not unrelated, phobia to the list: being interviewed by the media.
So, in the famous words of Ghostbusters; who you gonna call… when the media calls? Better yet — before the media calls?
Read on.
For an experienced hand (think senior politician or CEO of a corporation) a media interview is something they have typically had considerable practice with, and as a result they may not find it unduly stressful.
For everyone else, it can prove an immensely foreign and unsettling experience. You are having questions fired at you, by someone who does this for a living, with all your responses being recorded for broadcast to the world. Not to mention, the nature of social media is such that typical media interviews can too easily be misrepresented for the purpose of click-bait.
So you may wonder… why bother? Why should you even consider engaging with the media? Wouldn’t it be easier to simply pull down the proverbial shutters and not get involved?
The reality for most organisations is that this really isn’t an option. For most leaders, the time will come when you will need to be interviewed by a journalist – for whatever reason. This may be to promote your organisation, its products, or services; or it may be as an important part of managing an issue or crisis.
Engaging with the media is a way to communicate with a broad audience and to reach a wide range of stakeholders.
Not surprisingly, there are a few pitfalls that can catch out the novice. These include being lulled into speaking with a journalist when they don’t have authority to do so; being interviewed without any preparation; or allowing the interview to veer wildly off track.
Undertaking training well in advance of any interaction with the media can help you master the skills you need and, just as importantly, put them to practice before you are faced with doing the real deal under the glare of the cameras.
Training, well in advance, will help you build confidence, learn to stay calm, stick to your message and maximise the opportunity.
Speak with Seven Patterns to find out more about how a media training course can help you prepare to handle media interviews like a pro, and ultimately maximise media opportunities.
About the Author
David Ikin is a highly experienced corporate communications professional with significant experience across the mining, technology, defence and financial services sectors.
Over the course of a career spanning more than 30 years, David’s work has been split between consulting and in-house roles. His most recent project involved leading the communication function for a major technology program within one of the largest global mining companies.
David’s passion is for helping companies communicate more effectively with their stakeholders: investors, customers, employees, the media and the broader community.
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