Media Training 101

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BONUS FREEBIE: Your message deserves the media’s attention. So how do you get out there in a bigger way? I’ve got you covered. CLICK HERE to grab my free “Checklist to Become a Go-To Media Expert.”
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When I was a senior health producer at Fox News, I booked guest experts all the time.

But I couldn’t book them all and often they suffered from not being able to articulate what they know in a succinct and compelling way. So it’s part of why I do what I do today as a media trainer and video coach – to help as many people as possible do this well.

To become a go-to media expert, you need to be able to speak in soundbites. To do this I created what I call “The Accordion Method” – I use it myself and teach it to all my media-training clients.

Here are three points of “The Accordion Method“.

1) Think in Headlines.

Many experts make the mistake of thinking their main point should be the last thing they say. Wrong. It should be the first thing you say.

I get asked all the time what made me start writing about lists? My answer:

“Lists changed my life.”

It’s short. To the point. An easy point for producers to grab as a banner or use on social media. Then I can elaborate if I have more time.

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2) Speak in Soundbites.

The shorter, the better. If hosts can’t tell where you are in making your point they might have to lean in to cut you off.

Give your opinion. And be direct. You’ll seem clear and confident. And hosts won’t have to figure out where they can jump back in to keep the show going.

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3) Practice!

You can’t speak in clear, direct, headlines if you don’t know your talking points! So know your information and the advice you’re offering to people.

The better you know your points, the better using “The Accordion Method” will be. And the more interviews you do, the less nervous you’ll be.

You’ll be thinking in headlines all the time before you know it! For more information about “The Accordion Method” check out Inside Scoop. Or click here to see if you qualify for a media strategy session with me.