We asked our media training team for answers to the most common questions we get. Here’s what they had to say…
What Is Media Training?
Our media training will prepare you for dealing with all types of journalists (national, regional and trade on the print side and TV and radio on the broadcast side, not forgetting online and wire journalists too), it will explain what makes them tick, how they work, the pressures they are under, the kinds of stories they want to write, their agendas and the questions they are likely to ask when you meet them. We run practice interviews and rehearsals with you, so you can feel what media interactions are like, test new methods and build your confidence. It will teach you that dealing with the media is about give and take from both sides. Only by approaching media training from this angle will you be able to build a strong, positive relationship with journalists and reporters.
How Should I Prepare For My Media Training Course?
Ahead of media training it’s a good idea to consider a few areas; who are your target audience/media (e.g. trade press or TV broadcasters), what do you want to communicate via the media and what interesting or important things about your work do you want the audience to understand? We’ll also ask you some questions in advance of the training that will help us to research and design your course.
What Do You Need To Make My Training Course As Impactful As Possible?
The best training courses are focussed and relevant – by helping us with the research we’ll ask for, attending the course with an open mind and being keen to learn, the training will be impactful and successful.
How Often Should I Have Media Training?
Refreshing your communication skills is very sensible as it can further build your skills, stop bad habits from forming and allow you to learn new techniques. Many of our clients come back to us at key times or ahead of critical events e.g. for annual results, to prepare for a crisis or to rehearse delivering new themes/messages.
What Job Roles Or Executives Should Have Media Training?
It’s unlikely that everyone in your organisation needs to have media training but depending on their area of expertise, you might select any job role or executive as your spokespeople. Usually the board or senior team will be media trained as they’re leading the organisation and are the ambassadors, but it’s important to be able to offer other experts to the media too – these might be division heads, team managers or people who are working on a particular project that would be interesting to the media.
What Types Of Scenarios Does The Media Course Cover?
The practical scenarios are bespoke and designed around you – if you’re facing trade press, nationals, TV or radio, we’ll cover what you need. They will also address the specific issues you’re likely to face, whether that’s positive or proactive media engagement, reacting to issues that could come up or dealing with difficult and crisis focussed interviews.
Start With Should All Company Spokespeople Have Media Training?
Here at Bluewood Training, we pride ourselves on offering some of the most professional presentation skills training solutions in the industry. As a result, we’re here to help; get in touch if you’d like to learn more about our solutions and how they could be effective for reducing anxiety in your teams.
