The Media Coach

Speaking Tip of the week - Don't peak too late

I'm sure that your speeches contain some great lines. Sometimes when you deliver a phrase, you get a reaction like a laugh or a gasp of amazement, maybe both. Alas, those lines don't work every time, but you soon learn the ones that nearly always hit the sweet spot.

The trick is to know when to use lines like that. There may be a temptation to save them all for the big finish, so you can get on a roll and leave your audience in hysterics, or roaring with approval at your well-honed insights. That's if they are still with you of course.

And that's where the potential problem lies. You need to grab the attention of your audience at the start, and not let go until your speech is over. A big finish is still important, but you want to make sure that you are still in the race.

Stand-up comedians will often start their set with their second-best gag, and close with their best. That always gives them the option of delivering the closing gag second if the opening gag doesn't work (and then hoping that the audience laughs).

In a speech, it's important to bang in some great lines right at the start. if you want to be remembered, you have to get the attention of your audience immediately and take them with you all the way.

Don't peak too late!

Media Tip of the week - Mind your Media Manners

My grandmother always used to tell me that good manners cost nothing. How right she was. There's no need to ever be bad mannered, especially when dealing with the media.

Alas, some people forget that when they are speaking with journalists. It may be that they are worried about being misquoted, or are slightly annoyed about the questions being asked. However, none of that matters when a reporter is simply trying to get a quote from you before their deadline.

So here are a few simple rules that will endear you to journalists, that I think my grandmother would also approve of:

1. Be polite and respectful. Understand that reporters are simply doing a job, and it's your role to help them
2. Do your homework. Make sure that you have any facts they may ask about and that you are as informed as possible about the topic of the interview
3. Never exaggerate or make overblown claims. They will come back to bite you
4. Never lie. Never. That's an absolute rule, but you'd be amazed how many people ignore it
5. Always follow up with anything you have promised to supply, and do it as quickly as possible.

And here's a bonus rule 6. Be playful and friendly. Inject some humour into your interviews and you'll be much more likely to be regarded as a valuable source.

Social Media Tip of the week - Don't rant!

It can be extremely tempting to let off steam on social media, whether it's about sport, politics, or the person who stole your car parking space in Sainsbury's.

But beware. It's extremely easy for your clients and potential clients to search through your comments and make a judgement about whether you'd be a good person to work with. Back in the day, people used to try and keep their work and social feeds separate. However, that never really worked, and today most people post social and work-related content in the same social networks.

I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't express strong view from time to time. People like to see that you have firm opinions. But if you are going to go off on one about a person in front of you in a queue who took to long to pay for their shopping, or a cyclist who went through a red light, then people must just think you get angry quickly and often.

So next time you feel like a rant, type it out and let it rest for a few minutes before posting it. You probably won't post it at all, but you may have got rid of your frustration.