Tag Archive for: Media Training

, ,

Being Relatable in a Virtual World

___

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.”

___

We’ve all heard phrases like “be yourself,” “be authentic,” “just be you” and your following, relationship, etc. will fall into place. That’s hard enough. But it’s even harder to do on video.

So how do you stay relatable in our new hybrid world and make lasting connections in your personal and professional life?

Relationship Expert, Speaker, Author, & Media Personality, Rachel Dealto joined me recently on an episode of my live-streaming show, Inside Scoop, to discuss her new book called “Relatable: How to Connect with Anyone, Anywhere (Even If It Scares You)” which covers how to achieve those goals.

Here’s a quick guide to staying authentic and building relationships in person and online.

Read more

/0 Comments/by
, , ,

How to Get the Media Attention You Deserve

___

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.”

___

I’ve always loved the idea of “standing on the shoulders of giants” — learning from the experiences and knowledge of others so we can succeed.

Read more

/0 Comments/by
, , ,

Case Study: Becoming a Go-To Expert with Chris Kilham

___

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.”

___

 

If you’re an author or expert, you probably dream of being a producer’s first call — that expert they know they can go to for high-quality content. 

But how can you get there? One of the best ways to plot out your career goals is to look at others who have done it before you. 

That’s why I want to introduce you to Chris Kilham, also known as the Medicine Hunter. His speciality is alternative medicine, and he’s traveled the world looking for healing plants. Chris has written fourteen books during his long (and colorful!) career!

Read more

/0 Comments/by
, , ,

How to Get the Media Attention You Deserve

____

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.”

____

Annie Scranton, founder of Pace PR, knows a thing or two about the media. She and I met as producers at Fox News Channel, but she’s also worked at MSNBC, CNBC, CNN, HLN, and even Good Morning America!

With all that insider knowledge, Annie can predict what the future holds when it comes to getting on TV as an expert. She knows what it takes for people to get their message out there, because she helps people do that very thing every day.

Read more

/0 Comments/by
, ,

Shooting Compelling Video 101

____

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.”

____

We’ve all gotten used to living our lives on video over the past year. And video is here to stay, so if you want to grow your business or connect with your audience, this is a medium you need to master.

I spoke with videographer and producer Kristian Golick on my live-streaming show “Inside Scoop” about common questions about doing video — and how you can become a pro.

Why video?

As a former TV producer, I’ve been spreading the word about video for years. Kristian and I talked about one element of creating video that  is key: It creates a connection between you and the viewer. Just like we all feel like we know our favorite TV reporters or movie stars, your audience can get to know you through your videos.

Kristian knows from personal experience how powerful this connection can be. Kristian has been a videographer for years, creating videos from business as well as wedding films. But he never got in front of the camera himself until 2018, when he created a short video to address a common question among his clients about raw footage and what to do with it.

When he sent it to his clients, they expressed how much it helped them get to know him as a person. In fact, the feedback from that video was so positive he closed $10,000 in business and he’s continued to create video content ever since!

What content should I be creating?

Kristian says that his first video taught him an important lesson about content. Think about the questions that you get most often, then create videos addressing those. 

Should I do live or pre-recorded videos?

While there are pros and cons to both live and pre-recorded videos, Kristian and I both say that live videos can save you time (and energy) once you get the hang of them. Live videos help you get over perfectionism, too. Plus, they keep you accountable, since if you said you’re going live at a certain time, you’ve got to stick to it! Of course, you can always re-use your recorded live content. 

That’s what I do with my live-streaming show Inside Scoop. Kristian and I did this interview and now as you can see I’m using the content now in a different way – as a blog post. 

What set-up should I use?

Kristian says you don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a set-up that will make your videos look professional. He uses a light from Amazon that cost about $100, and placed it above him and angled down. He also taped a piece of wax paper to soften the light. The placement of the light is key to avoiding glare on his glasses, Kristian explained. (Make sure you check out the video we did together here so you can see his explanation.) 

Don’t worry about creating a set-up that looks too polished — you don’t want people to think your videos are ads, after all!

What should my background be?

Like me, Kristian is not a fan of Zoom backgrounds. He either makes sure to have a clean, neat real background, or he uses a green screen if he needs to replace his backdrop. The green screen is key, Kristian said, because it ensures the background is consistent and doesn’t cut off your ear or hands, which often happens with Zoom backgrounds. 

Where should I post my videos?

Kristian has two suggestions. The first is that you should post where you already have the most audience engagement. If that’s Instagram, go for Instagram. If that’s Facebook, post there.

Kristian’s second suggestion is that you should match your content to the platform. Tutorial-type videos, for example, work best on YouTube. But if you want to do shorter videos, try Instagram Stories. 

How often should I post?

Consistency is key. If you do Instagram stories, try a short video every day. For YouTube, post once a week. When people know to expect content from you, they’ll be more likely to tune in and get to know you. (That’s why I host Inside Scoop every week!).

____

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.”

____

/0 Comments/by

Stop Saying “Thank You” On TV

_____

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.”

____

I’ve been watching so much television recently. It’s part of my job! 

One thing that has been driving me crazy is how often I hear experts say “thank you.” 

It usually goes like this: the interviewer asks the expert a question, and the expert responds by saying something like, “Thank you for having me” or “Thank you for asking me that question.” 

Agh! I always wish I could tell them to cut it out. 

It’s not a matter of being rude. I know we’re socialized to say “thank you” all the time, but it’s a bad habit when you’re appearing as an expert!

Here’s why you need to stop saying “thank you” on TV — and what to start saying instead.

1) We already know you’re thankful to be there.

If you’re appearing on TV, you’ve said yes to being on TV — so the interviewer and audience know you’re happy and excited! You really do not feel like there is a need to thank the interviewer every time they ask you a question.

I was a TV producer for almost 20 years, and I can assure you that no producer or interviewer will think you’re being rude if you skip the “thank you.” 

2) You’re wasting time.

All the time you’re allotted on TV should be used for your message. Every single second! 

That’s not selfish or rude — it’s the opposite.

You have an opportunity to connect with your audience and share your expertise. That’s a public service!

When you say “thank you” three or four times in a 30 second soundbite, you’re using up precious time that could be used to help your audience. 

3) Instead, practice your first sentence on TV. 

I have a sneaking suspicion that one of the reasons people say “thank you” so much on TV is because they want to ease into what they’re going to say.

In regular conversation, that makes sense. 

But TV isn’t a regular conversation! The same rules do not apply. 

The best way to grab your audience’s attention is to begin with a clear, concise answer right out of the gate.

That’s where my Accordion Method comes in — you can find out more about that here. 

You need to have a short, medium, and long answer to every question you think you’ll be asked on TV. Those answers should all start out with your main idea like a newspaper headline. 

This is something I talk about all the time with my media clients.

People have short attention spans. You have to hook them right away!

When you begin by saying “thank you,” you’re not only watering down the strength of your response — you’re potentially losing your audience. 

It really helps to practice your first sentence so you’re not filling your time as you settle in. I always do this, whether I’m going on TV, creating a video or going live on my live-streaming show Inside Scoop – which you can sign up for reminders of right here. 

Next time you’re watching TV – take a note of how reporters and seasoned contributors start speaking on camera – I’ll bet they don’t start with thank you. 

________

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.”

______

/0 Comments/by
,

Five Video Trends for 2021

As a former TV producer, video has been my whole world for almost 20 years. But in 2020, video became part of everyone’s lives as meetings and celebrations turned virtual because of the pandemic.

I’m so grateful for the power of video to connect us during this difficult time. Even with the first COVID-19 vaccine shipments on their way, video is not going anywhere.

Now that people are starting to realize how video can transform productivity and create human connection, I predict it will continue to be a big part of our lives in 2021.

Read more

/0 Comments/by
,

The Accordion Method For Interviews: Speak in Soundbites

___

BONUS FREEBIE: I have a resource for you that will help you prepare to talk with media and audiences. It’s the 10 Questions Every Author Needs to Answer. You can grab the fiction and nonfiction lists here.

___

When I was a senior health producer at Fox News Channel, I booked guest experts all the time. 

Sometimes experts rambled when the host wanted a short answer, and sometimes people didn’t give enough information.

To be a go-to media expert, you need to be able to deliver your content in a way that fits the situation. 

That means you have to be able to talk about your expertise within different time constraints. 

This is the core of my media prep plan that I teach my media-training clients.

Read more

/0 Comments/by
,

Case Study: Five Ways to Wow the Media

You never know who is following you on social media.

For example, my friend Cassandra Sethi, a personal stylist, has an awesome Instagram for her business Next Level Wardrobe. She’s full of outfit ideas and tips for looking more polished. 

Read more

/0 Comments/by

How to Present Well at a Virtual Conference

NEW COURSE: Want to learn more about how to adjust to working remotely? You can check out my new LinkedIn Learning course, Organizing Your Remote Office for Maximum Productivity. Click here for access! Click here for access!

If you want to learn more about how to adjust your career and work environment while working remotely, you can check out my LinkedIn Learning course, Organizing Your Remote Office for Maximum Productivity. It’s live now!

So many conferences have gone virtual because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more

/0 Comments/by