Whether your executives, board members or staff speak on behalf of your organization, it’s important to invest in media training. You wouldn’t go into a major presentation unprepared, so why would you want to send someone into a media interview without the proper training?
When someone on your team speaks with the press, they become an ambassador for your organization’s brand and messaging. Media training is a great professional development effort to ensure they feel comfortable and can put their best foot forward.
Here are three key reasons why your leaders should be media trained:
- Every interview is an opportunity to shape the public debate, to correct misconceptions, to promote your company and to further the cause.
- Reporters are trained to advance their own goals. You need to be ready to advocate for your goals.
- No matter how friendly, reporters don’t have your best interest at heart – they are just doing their job.
What does a good media training session look like?
A good media session will leave you with a strong understanding of how to navigate the media, understand reporters, control the interview and handle tough questions. It should include a messaging and talking points exercise so you feel comfortable prepping for any future interview, and of course, should have time for mock interviews.
Depending on your organization and the types of interviews your leaders typically take on, a good media trainer can prep you for any kind of interview whether that be print, TV, radio or podcast – and any kind of interviewer you may face as well.
