| Building and Protecting your Reputation |
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I mentioned last week that The Exceptional Speaker revised edition is now available.
Even the greatest speeches require meticulous preparation, repeated rehearsals and expert delivery. For thousands of years, iconic speeches have helped to shape our world – but only because a decision was made to craft something special. Speech making is a skill that can be learned by everyone. It takes knowledge and expertise to prepare and deliver a truly memorable speech. This book has the tips and advice you need to create and deliver sensational speeches.
Professor David Crystal, Author of the Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language called it
“An enlightening blend of clear explanation and sound practical advice."
You can order a copy here.
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There has been a lot of comment about the anniversary of the first lockdown. It's been a struggle for everyone, and I'm sure you've had challenges. My condolences go to everyone who have lost family and friends, and my sympathy goes to everyone still suffering.
"The green shoots of recovery" is an old journalistic cliche. But they are appearing. I went for a walk this week along my local river. There were trees in flower, birds singing and the blue flash of a passing kingfisher. At the danger of sounding like a vicar delivering a crude analogy, spring is on the way, and there's a way out of all this.
Here's a collage of a few things I photographed. |
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| My guest in the Web Radio Show this week is Boo Hewerdine.
He's a singer-songwriter and record producer. His work includes lead singer and creative force behind The Bible, formed in the 1980s, and reformed in 1994, as well as solo recordings and work for film. He has also produced records by several artists, including a long association with Eddi Reader He has been described as "one of Britain's most consistently accomplished songwriters". That's perfectly true. Listen to our chat, and hear his music, in this week's Media Coach Radio Show. |
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The MediaMaestro is Simon McCoy, a BBC news presenter who has just departed after seventeen years to join the new GB News channel.
He's been brilliant at offering his own take on news stories, such as reporting royal baby news with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. While stationed outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital awaiting the birth of Prince George, McCoy mainly commented on the lack of any news, and while reporting on Kate Middleton revealing the due date of her third child, he said: ‘I’m not sure how much news this is.’
He also made viewers laugh when he irreverently reported on the Queen's garden parties being cancelled. "A quick line of breaking news that may affect you, but it doesn't affect me," he said.
He got a fit of the on-air giggles while reporting on a man playing the piano to monkeys.
While reading a script full of dog puns about the Scottish Parliament Dog of the Year contest, he asked one camera to film the autocue to show the audience "what I have to deal with".
When new Prime Minister Boris Johnson told an interviewer he painted model buses in his spare time for fun, McCoy - referencing an infamous Brexit NHS funding pledge - retorted: "I wonder what he writes on the side of it?"
But his most famous act was presenting the news with what he thought was his iPad, but turned out to be a pad of paper. I wish him well at GB News. |
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The MediaMug is Celine Dion. No, not the Canadian chanteuse.
This Celine Dion is a British man formerly known as Thomas Dodd who changed his name to Celine Dion by deed poll.
Dodd told Birmingham that he had a few too many alcoholic beverages while watching a recording of a Dion concert, and filed to change his name as a result.
“I am slightly obsessed with her, I’m not going to lie,” he said of the Quebec superstar singer. “During lockdown, I’ve been watching a lot of live concerts on the TV. I can only think I’ve been watching one of hers and had a ‘great idea’ after a few drinks!”
The new Celine Dion says he’s not planning on changing it back right away.
“I’ll figure it out, I’m not rushing to change it back that’s for sure,” he said.
“I tried singing Celine in the shower this morning and I can assure everyone I haven’t inherited her voice or bank balance.”
That's the way it is.
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| Speaking Tip - And who was it who said? |
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Many quotes used by speakers are either unattributed, or wrongly credited. The former is a type of fraud (since it looks as though the speaker made it up), and the latter is probably copying someone else's error. When using quotes in speeches, correct attribution is important. For one thing, it respects the originator. For another, it's something that may undermine your veracity if members of the audience check it out.
There are a number of sites that help: http://quoteinvestigator.com/ is one of the best, but there's also https://en.wikiquote.org/ and the ever-useful http://www.snopes.com/ Here are my seven tips for quotations:
Always credit the source of a quotation. If you aren't sure, or don't know, you can say "who was it that said?" Never, ever, quote yourself. Allow others to do that. Use quotes sparingly through a speech. The audience has come to listen to you. Do not try to mimic the accent of the originator. Make sure you quote correctly. Write the quote down if necessary. Keep it short - a sentence or two at most Make sure that is is relevant to your theme.
As Joseph Roux once said "A fine quotation is a diamond on the finger of a man of wit, and a pebble in the hand of a fool." |
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| Media Tip - Return every call from a reporter |
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No matter what publication, radio station or TV channel a reporter calls from, always return their call. Make sure you return it as quickly as possible. A few years ago, I returned a call from a reporter at the Yorkshire Post, and was quoted in a story. Every so often, the reporter calls again. Most recently, I was on my way through Johannesburg airport when my phone rang, asking for some quotes about PR. I called the reporter back when I cleared security, and the story appeared within a couple of hours.
Journalists gather much of their information over the telephone. Although many of them write shorthand, the skill is declining, and you are more likely to be asked if you are happy for the call to be recorded. There is nothing sinister about this, and it makes sense to agree. Remember, though, that there is no such thing as "off the record", particularly if your answers have been permanently saved. Stick to the facts, and don't speculate or exaggerate. In other words, treat it exactly as you would if it was a radio interview
After the call, you should also make a note of the questions that you were asked, and the responses that you gave. It is unusual to have to challenge a story, but if you do, you will need to have some evidence. There is a much more important reason for keeping notes, though, and that is to refer back to if the reporter calls again, possibly to clarify a point, or to find out more information. If a colleague takes the call instead of you, it will be extremely for them to know what was said.
The great advantage of telephone interviews is that you are able to have all of your "prompt sheets" in front of you, so that you can deliver your core message, make all of your points, and deal with any awkward questions with consummate ease. At least, you will if you are media-ready! |
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| Social Media Tip - Be a social media magnet |
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There's a lot of advice about how to use social media to attract business. Some say you need a gazillion followers. Some say you need to automate all your posts. Some say you need to post to every network. I say it's rather simple, so allow me to offer three strategies.
1) Deliver consistent, high-quality content There are two aspects to this (obviously) - consistency and quality. It's no use posting a large volume of material once every few weeks. Little and often is much better. It needs to stand out, so quality is vital. "How-to" lists work well (yes, I know....)
2) Engage in conversation It's social media, not broadcast media. I've seen many streams of tweets and Facebook posts that are simply links to articles, videos and webpages, with no attempt at dialogue. That's no way to build rapport. People want not only advice, but a chance to interact with you.
3) Promote others It's not all about you. If you see a good article, talk about it and link to it, even if it looks like a competitor. If people see you as a curator of valuable information, they will notice and remember you.
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Walter Lewin is a professor of physics. He is utterly brilliant at generating enthusiasm. He put his life on the line to demonstrate that he is a strong believer in the conservation of energy. The video is astonishing!
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| The information in this ezine may be freely re-used in any online or offline publication, provided it is accompanied by the following credit line - "This information was written by Alan Stevens, and originally appeared in "The MediaCoach", his free weekly ezine, available at www.mediacoach.co.uk." |
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