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MediaSmart, The Media Training Podcast, is designed to provide useful, practical information about giving effective media interviews, with an emphasis on techniques and tips as well as media industry trends. The program is aimed at business leaders, government officials, entrepreneurs, PR professionals and anyone else who wants to develop or hone their interviewing skills in preparation for the media spotlight. The host is Scott Gilbert, who currently works in Media Relations at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine. Scott was a broadcast journalist for 14 years prior to his transition to public relations in 2010.
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There’s been a lot of discussion lately about whether the media is good or evil. For purposes of our work as people who thrive through a symbiotic relationship with journalists, we’re going to focus this week on how you can make their jobs easier. For the most part, reporters are stretched thin, and have less […]
When working with the media, your main goal is to convey your message effectively. That seems simple enough – but it’s a tall task when you need to translate lots of complicated information for a general audience. Researchers, economists, computer programmers and many others live in a world of complex data. This week, we discuss […]
As with so much else, preparation is key before walking into a media interview or facing journalists at a news conferece. And a key part of that preparation is anticipating likely questions. This means preparing for the tough ones – not just the “softballs” – and questions that delve into details not covered by the news release. […]
It’s easy to think that your job in a media interview is to impart your wisdom and facts upon the reporter, and as long as he or she nods, smiles and takes a few notes, you’ve accomplished your mission. But ultimately, it’s important to speak in a way that connects with your audience – that […]
The media has taken a beating lately, especially in the presidential election. Depending on whom you ask, TV and radio stations and newspapers are somewhere between untrustworthy and completely irrelevant. All of this talk may have you wondering whether it’s even worth giving journalists the time of day. Why not just promote your organization through […]
The opposite of connecting with your audience is distracting them. In this episode, we discuss three distractions that can kill your message – and ways to avoid each of them. They include: Dressing to distract Use of filler words Poor eye contact Click the ‘Play’ button to hear Episode 42 of MediaSmart!
According to some, PR pros should be seen but not heard in media interviews. Others insist they should stay completely away from the interview in the first place. Then, there’s the crisis comms consultant for former Baylor University Chancellor and President Ken Starr, who became part of the story when she injected herself into an […]
Before you pitch your story to a journalist, it’s helpful to think through the criteria he or she will use when deciding whether your story is “news.” To be sure, the equation will vary depending on the reporter, the news outlet, when you’re calling and even what else is happening that day. To some extent, […]
Mark Twain once said: “All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.” On this episode, we discuss how one of these can help you do great interviews. (Hint: It’s not ignorance.) When conducting media training sessions, I’ve noticed a cloud of uncertainty sometimes hangs in the room – […]
Back on Episode 34, we addressed some timely headlines that involved people in the limelight declaring war on the media. This week, we revisit the topic to focus on a very specific battle in that war: banning journalists. From Donald Trump’s official revocation of the Washington Post’s press credentials to a similar move by the […]
Organizations with crisis management plans are ready to communicate effectively when the unexpected happens. Yet the work involved with developing such a plan can be daunting, causing many organizations to make the unfortunate decision to fly without one. In this episode, we hear from Melissa Agnes, an international crisis management keynote speaker and consultant. She […]
We’ve talked previously about how and when to “phone in” a media interview. This episode is about mailing it in – more specifically, emailing your responses to a reporter. As with all interview approaches, it comes with both benefits and drawbacks. While connecting with the reporter in person or by phone is typically preferable, it’s […]
At risk of waxing overly philosophical, so much in life is about striking a balance. So, too, are media interviews. Whether you’re on TV, on the radio or being interviewed for an article, many of the keys to effectively communicating your key messages boil down to a balance in several key areas, including: How you […]
Sometimes, taking a stand against a journalist is justified. But sometimes it’s not, and amounts to an ethical misstep or even breaking the law. In this episode, we look at four examples ripped from recent headlines: Donald Trump’s war with Megyn Kelly of Fox News How a confrontation with a reporter led to charges against […]
Being natural and conversational is important in a media interview – but what if being natural for you involves some bad habits that get in the way of your message? On this episode, we hear from Lisa Elia as we explore a range of powerful methods and daily habits to help you improve how you […]
We often hear – including on places like Episode 2 of MediaSmart – about the need to craft three key messages that you want to deliver in any given media interview. My guest in this episode tells us how those three messages fit into a bigger strategy. Brad Phillips – also known as Mr. Media […]
If your crisis communications plan includes the phrase “Duck, cover and let it blow over,” this episode is for you. “When the going gets tough, many of us tend to either say too much, or nothing at all.” So says this week’s guest in a recent column on Bulldog reporter. Hartley Butler George, a Senior […]
Being face-to-face with a journalist is always best, but sometimes, it’s just not possible. That’s when a phone interview may be an option. If you end up “phoning it in,” make sure it’s not by cell or speakerphone, if you can avoid it. The fact you can’t see the reporter will affect the discussion – […]
There’s so much to remember when you’re on camera giving an interview. We covered some of it back on previous episodes – but this week, we put it all together with MediaSmart’s first-ever guest, TJ Walker. Walker is the founder of Media Training Worldwide and has been conducting media training workshops and seminars since 1984. […]
Media interviews can lead to great things – except for when they don’t. Even a well-prepared spokesperson can have an off-day or be caught off-guard by a couple questions, perhaps causing them to panic and clam up live on camera. Or maybe he gave answers that he thought were 40 seconds each, when in fact […]
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