Media training: Tips to speak with confidence

A journalist, after a successful press approach, is interested in your story. He invites you for an interview for a background article, podcast or radio or television broadcast: the ultimate opportunity to put your company in the spotlight. A media appearance also has risks. Because how do you respond to awkward questions and how do you make sure your message comes across clearly? These tips from our media training will help you speak to a journalist perfectly.

Author: Mediatic 17 May, 2023

Brand awareness Public Relations visibility

A good conversation thanks to media training

Not everyone has experience with a media appearance. Bear in mind that a journalist wants something from you and not the other way around; you are in control. Ideally, you want a smooth conversation and not just answer the questions asked. With the right media training, you will know exactly how to control the interview. Remember; practice makes perfect! Below are four important tips from our media training.

1. Know who you are talking to

Our first tip is: Immerse yourself in the person who is going to interview you. How much does the person already know about the topic you are going to talk about? Does he or she have certain interview techniques you need to be prepared for? Are there several people present at the interview who have a different perspective on the subject than you? If you know who you have in front of you, there will be no surprises during the interview.

2. Know the topic of conversation

Prepare well for the subject of the interview. Sometimes the journalist wants in-depth information in response to company news you have just launched. You may also be invited to a talk show table with several guests. Then it is extra important that you know what is expected of you and on which topics you should give your views.

After good media training

You will know the basic theory on media communication;
You will get your story across clearly;
You will know how to distinguish key messages from secondary messages;
Come across as confident;
You can answer critical questions from journalists;
You stand your ground during press conferences.

3. Provide clear key messages

By now, you know what the interview is about and who will ask the questions. With this knowledge, you can tailor your message accordingly. You know what story you want to tell. Frame this message with up to three key messages. For each key message, draw up a Q&A with questions you might expect the interviewer to ask. Does an unexpected question arise during the interview or a question you cannot or do not want to answer? Then guide the conversation back to your core messages, so that you always stick to the core of your story.

4. Be presentable

Whatever type of interview you give (written, television, radio or telephone), in all forms you obviously want the audience to take your message from you. Therefore, it is important that you use clear and understandable language and that your appearance matches your role, organisation and message.

Media training for different types of media appearances

Our media training aims to teach you the right skills for successful media appearances. Whether on television, on the phone, or on other platforms. Of course, we have many more tips than what you read here in this blog. But if you take these four tips from our media training to heart, you are already well on your way to making the interview a success. In addition, there are more times when you will speak to the media, such as during a crisis, a press conference or during the well-known 'robbery journalism'. Together with our media training expert Ben Posthumus, we make sure you are prepared for these too.