We generally encourage our clients to engage with the media and to make the most of positive opportunities. We also recognise that the prospect of media training can be as worrying as the interview itself.
Working with you, our role is to eliminate the fear and make you feel entirely comfortable with being in front a camera or microphone in delivering the right message.
For TV and radio interviews, we advise on the best way to present yourself. This goes well beyond sitting still and dressing appropriately. We focus on content and practise different scenarios: live, pre-recorded, or part of a package, as well as interview positioning, where there might be somebody presenting a contrary view, e.g. Newsnight or BBCR4’s Today programme.
By preparing you to feel relaxed and confident in any interview situation, we can enable you to demonstrate your expertise and depth of understanding to best advantage.
We do this by meeting with you, taking you through the interview process and undertaking role play. For best results, we recommend that this is done one-on-one, although if there are time constraints, it can also be done in small groups.
Getting your message across
The critical challenge is to get your message across in straightforward language while presenting your argument cogently, using the right tone. Often you will have only a few seconds to answer a question, we can help you avoid deviation, repetition or hesitation by formulating your argument in a few incisive sentences. Where time allows for longer interviews, it is always good to tell a story and to illustrate your point with images or descriptive narrative.
Opportunistic interviews sometimes arise where the interviewee has not been trained. At short notice, we can visit your office and run through with you exactly what you want to say and how best to say it. If an immediate response is required, we can also travel with you to TV studios and advise en route. Whatever the format, we will ensure that you are thoroughly prepared for every eventuality.
Listen carefully
Press interviews are usually longer and require additional considerations. Your comments will appear in print and online. We will ensure that you are very clear about what messages you want to get across. We suggest that you focus on three points you want to make and convey them clearly and succinctly. The legacy is more permanent: the digital footprint of your quotes will be read by people who matter over time.
Being a good interviewee is a skill, one that comes naturally to some, but can be enhanced for most with some training. From our experience, we know that the best interviewees are good listeners. They listen carefully to questions and tailor their response accordingly. We also believe that a good interview is a conversation, where you look, feel and sound comfortable. It’s our job to make that happen.