Media Training: For Consistent Messaging

Media training can help you craft your messaging and provide tools to help you stay on that messaging in media interviews. ?Some bosses ?assume their executive team doesn't need media training because those execs don't do TV interviews. ?But what about consistent messaging across other platforms? ?For example:

• Social media posts
• Company newsletters
• Public speaking engagements
• Zoom conferences
• Website videos
• Community events

To be true to your brand, your messaging, and that of your executive team, needs to be consistent regardless of the medium. ?

The most important part of media training is messaging, and that doesn't just apply to the CEO or corporate spokesperson. They may be tasked to do the TV interviews while others post to social media and rep the company at events. ?Is everyone on the same page? ?A group media training workshop is an?efficient way to make sure they are. ?

While tone and style will vary across platforms, your brand messaging needs to be consistent. ?Getting the team together in a room to craft, review, and practice messaging is invaluable to a company. ?In our sessions, everyone gets on-camera practice and critique of the messaging and the messenger. ?Even if you never do a TV interview, this is a useful exercise. ?How?

• You'll see firsthand how your body language can impact your messaging. ?If you slouch or do funny things with your hands on camera, you very well may do the same when delivering an important speech.
• If you use too much industry or company jargon, clients or customers may not truly understand your messaging in print, on line, in person or on-air.
• There may be stars in your group who have flown under the radar. ?Given the chance to perfect their messaging you may consider them for more out-front roles with the public. ?I've seen this happen and it's always a plus for the company. ?
• You'll learn camera basics that you can put to use on Zoom, on Facebook Live and in corporate videos.?

Finding a good time to get the gang together can be tricky. ?Some executive teams can only carve out a half day, and that's OK if it's a small group. ?Group media training needs to be a judgment-free environment where attendees feel at ease. ?If an executive makes mistakes here, the entire group can learn from it.

A look inside a group media training workshop.