FAQs
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
Having studied both broadcasting and print journalism in college, I was fortunate to explore all aspects of media communications throughout my career, including positions in radio, television, print news, media relations, public relations and various leadership positions. While in the military, I was assigned to the Pentagon to provide one-on-one media interview training for our flag officer corps - the Generals. This was one of my most rewarding positions, as I came to realize that it doesn't matter the rank or position within a company/organization, people need help addressing the media. With 25+ years of media communications experience, it was only natural to share what I know with anyone who takes seriously their role as company spokesperson.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Don't hire on credentials alone. Talk to your prospective provider and ensure that person is a good fit for your organization in terms of either representing your company or in helping you to be a better spokesperson for your company. For Executive Media Training, ensure your trainer is qualified. Take a look, not only at previous clients, but where that trainer gained his/her experience in working with the media. And how current is that experience? For Voice Over, don't just seek out a "great voice". Seek out a voice and personality that 1) best represents your product/company, and 2) will best connect with the audience you're trying to reach.
- What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
Failure to properly prepare - including working with a professional media trainer - is the #1 mistake most people make when going into a media interview. Whenever you see a news story where somebody fails miserably in a media interview, you know they were not prepared. And 9 times out of 10, they thought they could just "wing it". A professional media trainer has extensive experience working with the media and can help guide you through the media interview process. There is no substitution for this type of preparation. 99% of the time, if someone has claimed to be "misquoted" by the media, I can show you where that is absolutely not true. Or maybe they feel that what they said was taken out of context. In almost every case, they said exactly what the media said they said. You can avoid these pitfalls by working with a professional media trainer.