The Importance of Media Training

Your company is hosting the city’s biggest festival of the season this weekend, and you’ve just secured a TV spot on the most popular morning show to promote the event.

While excitement is in the air, you feel your face flush, and your palms are sweaty. It’s at that moment you realize you’ll have to go live on air with little time to prepare. “It’s only a few minutes, how bad could it be,” but the thought of talking in front of a camera is debilitating.

If this feeling is familiar, you’re not alone. 75% of Americans list public speaking as their #1 fear, including if it’s in front of a camera.

Whether you’re a business owner or brand ambassador, it’s essential to be able to communicate your messaging clearly, at the drop of a hat.

This is exactly why media training is essential. Media training prepares you to confidently handle press interactions and interviews, so that your message is conveyed accurately while maintaining professionalism under pressure.

Media training is a specialized coaching process that assists individuals with tips, tricks and skills to engage with audiences, reporters, and media outlets effectively.

When you’re less stressed about the outcome of your performance, you can focus on what really needs to be heard.

We’ve partnered with local radio personality McGraw Milhaven of 550 KTRS to bring media training to the forefront of our services.

“Media training is important. Just like learning how to drive a sports car is important,” says Milhaven. “And what I mean by that is if you have a sports car and you don’t know how to drive it, you can cause a lot of damage. But if you have a sports car and you know how to drive a sports car, that can be a whole lot of fun.”

Regardless of your industry, media training can make a huge difference in how your brand is perceived. The ability to handle interviews and speak publicly will reduce anxiety, increase confidence, and help avoid any slip-ups. One wrong response can cause huge problems, but with practice and training, it’s easier to stay on track.

Sometimes, speaking opportunities can be harder than others. Maybe the interviewer is underprepared, or maybe there are technical difficulties. Maybe you realize something is off midway through. Having some media training behind you can help prepare you for the worst. By knowing you can handle hard questions and realizing that talking is the easy part, you can rest assured that you can make the best of a tricky situation.

Typically, on-air engagements are short and limited on time. This means it is crucial that your messaging is concise and clear and that the audience has enough information to make an informed decision.

“A great story is destroyed by a bad storyteller,” Milhaven says. “ And so what makes a great story? A great storyteller. So, you have to learn how to tell the story. Because a great story is gold. And if you destroy a great story, you’re destroying gold.”

Media training not only helps with the way stories are told but also how your brand is perceived visually.

Well-trained spokespeople appear polished, credible, and authoritative, strengthening not only your organization’s message, but, and ultimately, its reputation.

Media opportunities are valuable moments to connect with the public, promote your brand and increase credibility.

Instead of dreading interviews or fearing a live appearance, media training can turn you into a confident and compelling spokesperson. Investing in these skills ensures that when the camera starts rolling, you’re ready for anything.

Want to get started with media training for your team? Let Black Twig help guide you to better engage with the media, refine your messaging, and make a lasting impression.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you turn media opportunities into gold for your brand.