Media trainers often tell their clients to prepare simple three-part messages before going in front of a TV camera for media interviews. (I give the same advice.) In part, this is good advice for any media interview, whether it is TV, radio or print. But it is especially good advice for TV because there are so many nerve-racking things that can go on at a TV station or television network to make you lose your concentration. And if you can’t concentrate, you can’t think clearly. Hence, dumb things can come out of your mouth when the camera starts rolling.

A couple of years ago I was asked to be a guest expert on “Fox & Friends” on the Fox News Channel to critique then President Bush’s body language during his meetings with French President Chirac. I’ve been in many a green room so I knew to expect the unexpected.

Continue reading " Interviewing With The Media? Prepare Your TV Comments in Advance "

When you are going to be a guest on a radio news program,, always try to go to the studio to do the interview, even if you are given the option of doing the interview by phone. (Obviously I’m not talking about flying across the country for a 5-minute interview, but when the show is based in your town.) There are several distinct advantages to doing the interview in the studio:

1. Your audio quality will be much better. You will now sound as good as the host. 
2. You don’t have to worry about being disconnected.

Continue reading " In Your PJs or in Studio? "

Whether you are trying to promote your book across the world or your company to every city in the country, you need to localize your message whenever possible. The local news media, especially news/talk radio, love anything with a local angle.

On the one hand, you don’t want to deliver an entirely different media message for every market in the country. However, if you can come up with even one local example when fleshing out your key message points, you will go a long way in winning over the local news media.

For example, if you are promoting a new book about pure-bred dogs, try to find a particular dog and owner in the local media market that did well in last year’s big national dog show. Now you have a hook for the local media.

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When developing your media message, you’ll need to answer some basic questions a reporter is going to ask. Don’t get caught off guard, learn how to think on your toes, and prepare yourself with this review.

By TJ Walker, president, Media Training Worldwide. He is “the leading media and presentation trainer in the world,” and “the #1 expert for executives seeking guidance on speaking to the public and media,” according to quotes from Viacom and Bloomberg TV. T.J. has trained thousands of executives and government officials over the last 20 years.

Continue reading " Who, What, When "

1. Timeliness Is Key.

Pretty good answers NOW are a lot more valuable than perfect answers tomorrow. If the story is breaking and the reporter calls now, you need to react quickly. If you have to take 20 minutes to prepare message points and sound bites, do so. But make sure the reporter knows you will absolutely, positively 100 percent call back in 20 minutes or less. And then do it. If a reporter from a major national TV network or newspaper calls you for the first time, give them an interview RIGHT THEN. If you let them off the phone for even five minutes, you might not ever get them back.

2. Be Accessible.

If you want to be a part of breaking news stories, you need to be easy to reach. Public relations counselors hate it when I say this, but I believe that anyone who is seeking news coverage should allow direct access to the media. That means you and your clients should have your cell phone and home phone numbers made accessible on your Web sites, press releases and work voice mails. A reporter working on a deadline after hours does not want to have to call a public relations firm just to get a number of a news source. I have often been a guest on national TV news networks like MSNBC and Fox News Channel on Saturday morning, not because I am a famous big shot. (I’m not.) I got invited on because desperate bookers had my cell phone and home numbers and knew I wouldn’t be mad if they called me at 11:15 p.m. on Friday night or 7:05 Saturday morning.

Continue reading " 5 Tips on Working with Reporters and Top News Stories "