How To Find The Best Media Training Course

Everyone knows that we now live in a world dominated by 24 hour news and that whatever your company does there will come a time when you HAVE to talk to the media.  Whether it’s to the trade press, local journalists or facing the challenges of talking to national print and broadcast media.  These days the mind set of ‘oh well if anything happens we can just ignore the press’ and hope it will all go away  or to say the dreaded ‘no comment’ simply isn’t an option.   Whatever the issue whether it’s proactive or reactive the key is to have confident spokespeople who can deliver your message with clarity, consistency and confidence.  

So how do you find the best media training course?

At Media First we design bespoke training to fit your specific needs and requirements.  The last thing you want from your team is for them to say that half the course was great but the other half was completely irrelevant to how they interface with the media.   Secondly at Media First we have a strong belief that the best way for people to learn is by actually doing it!  Telling your team the dos and don’ts of an interview is all very well but until they actually practice it either face to face or in our radio and TV studio, its only then that they get a real feel for the communication skills they need to employ in order to manage their message effectively.

Print interview training

These are the most common way that most people interact with the media. Not under the bright lights of a studio but normally down the end of the phone with a journalist.  This is the challenge because it can feel like it’s just a conversation but in fact it’s an interview from the minute you pick up the phone – so take care. Here at Media First we put you through your paces in a variety of interview sessions including doing an interview on the phone which is then written up for you as it would it appear in either a trade, local or national newspaper - so you can see how your words have been interpreted!

Broadcast interview training

These days, broadcast journalists are desperate for stories and getting your brand or company on local or national news really needs to be seen as an opportunity and not something to be feared.  Just remember its free advertising!  However, going into a radio or into a TV studio can be rather daunting. So by putting you in our studio environment you can get used to the rather intrusive technology in a training environment so that by the time it comes to the real thing you’re a natural!

The best course media training course for you will include the following key points;-

• Understanding the media
  
• The do's and don'ts of interviews
• The importance of planning
• Understanding the importance of building relationships with journalists
• Developing key messages
• Handling difficult and sometimes hostile questioning

As a consequence of coming to one of our media training courses, all of your team will be able to successfully deal with any press attention and deliver all the right key messages with clarity, consistency and confidence.

We work under strict non-disclosure agreements with current working journalists who know the latest techniques, editorial preferences and have an up-to-date knowledge of the press agenda. 

But what if it goes really wrong – How can you prepare for a crisis

If you’re not just in the news but ARE the news then the crisis communication media training is crucial to being able to retake control of the situation and successfully manage the reputation of the company.

Facing the media is stressful at the best of times, and it feels ten times worse when you’re trying to deal with an eager press hungry for news. There’s very little time for calm reflection, for checking facts with colleagues, and coordinating your response.  By taking you through a complete role-play scenario, with a crisis that builds throughout the day, dealing with constant phone calls, putting together a statement, managing a press conference, Media First gives you the best possible preparation for an unexpected event.  We teach you to remain in control, and to demonstrate concern and compassion while not seeming weak. Each scenario we develop is tailored to the individual client and reflects the kinds of issues challenges you'll face in the real world.

The best course crisis media training course for you will include the following key points;-

• How to take handle the ‘doorstep’ interview
• How to retake control of the situation
• How to write a corporate statement
• How to manage a press conference
• The positive rebuttal
• Handling difficult and sometimes hostile Q & A; 

What if the right course for you is all about New Media?

The changes in the way we see and receive news has changed dramatically in recent years due to the huge strides forward in technology. How we access information and how companies communicate is changing fast. As well as the mainstream media, there are new channels through which organisations now need to manage the message about their products and reputation.  We can guide you through the ever-changing new media landscape, give you the tools to control your online reputation and help you participate effectively online.

Most people are aware of some of the social networking communities  but there are many more opportunities out there to use these sites to enhance the credibility of your organization. The biggest dilemma is how you manage these new parts to your communications plan successfully both to your staff and your customers.

At Media First we can build a programme around your specific on line issues and guide you through how to develop your own internet strategy as well as lots of practical experience of how to create your own blogs and podcasts.

The key objectives of New Media training are:-

• How do you manage the blogosphere or engage effectively with the many social network communities such as Facebook and MySpace?
• How can podcasting help your organisation resonate with a new digital audience?
• What are the implications of getting involved?
• How do you manage these new strands to your communications strategy effectively - both internally and externally?
  

You can hear more about how Media First can tailor a New Media course to your exact requirements by listening to our podcast.