The MediaCoach

Hi John,

Have a very Happy Christmas. I won't delay you too long. Just a couple of announcements.

Firstly, I will be resuming my Monday video media tips newsletter. I will be sending it only to people who have signed up for it (as around 10% of subscribers to this ezine have). If you'd like to receive it, just drop me a line.

Secondly, one place has opened up for 2017 on my year-long speaker coaching programme as one of next year's participants has had to defer their place. If you'd like to know how how working with me for a year can boost your professional speaking career, just reply to this email.

One of the most popular interviews I did in recent years was with writer and comedian Tony Hawks, who travelled round Ireland with fridge. He explains why in the Media Coach Radio Show. There's also a wonderful song from Dublin singer-songwriter (yes it's a theme), Rob Corcoran.
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Next week I'll be announcing the MediaMaster of the year, as well as the MediaMug, of course. A close runner-up for the former, in my opinion, is James Corden, not least for his carpool karaoke. He's featured both Barack and Michelle Obama, as well as a host of singing talent. My personal favourite was Adele. James and his team were clearly thinking ahead, as they have produced a superb video of "All I want for Christmas" with many of the stars who appeared through the year. Superb.

MediaMug Ruslan Smykov, a Russian newsreader of First Channel Eurasia faked an interview last week. He tendered his resignation citing "differences with management" after the "interview" appeared on the channel late last week, the Eurasia.org news website reports. The programme in question used footage of Smykov's colleague Almira Shaukentayeva to make it look like she was being interviewed by top Russian journalist Vladimir Posner on his renowned discussion programme. Asked by the Kazday news website about the interview, Posner was blunt about its veracity. "This is an absolute fake from start to finish. The interview didn't happen". Oops. Fake news? Whatever next?

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH

Yes, I know. That film was called The King's Speech. But we've had a queen for sixty-four years, so it's her speech that we hear every Christmas. Despite attempts to make it more informal over the years, it retains a formal structure, and has to be brief in order to fit into the TV and radio schedules. It also has to be a speech of praise and celebration, fitting for the occasion when it is spoken. When you need to make a set-piece speech on a formal occasion, here are a few tips:

1) The occasion may be joyful or sad. Either way, you need to retain your composure and speak with some level of detachment. That's because you need to speak with clarity in order to do justice to the occasion, and all of those present.

2) You can still, and indeed should, express your feelings. Try not to use notes when you are speaking about emotions, but it's perfectly OK to have a list of the people that you need to mention.

3) Use short, simple words and sentences (in fact I'd apply this to any speech). There's no place for pomposity or complex terms.

4) Conclude with a simple, heartfelt wish for the future. It's suitable for every formal occasion to wish for better things (even if you're celebrating success). Conclude on a positive and hopeful note.

IT'S OVER WHEN YOU GET HOME

Many interviews are straightforward conversations with a clear beginning, middle and end. However, there will be occasions when you could be caught out if you didn't keep your wits about you. Being aware of what might happen will ensure that you will never be ambushed. Here's what I mean:

1) The silent assassin If there are two journalists in the studio (often a breakfast or drive-time show), only one will usually conduct the interview. The other may appear disinterested, looking at their notes, or listening to the producer in their earpiece. As you answer the last question and relax, the other journalist will spring to life, and say "just one more question on a different subject if I may". You need to stay alert, otherwise you could fumble your answer.

2) The sand-filled sock You may be hit with a sudden heavily-weighted question right at the end of your interview. For example, it could include an assumption or assertion that is untrue, leaving you only a few seconds to respond. You must make sure that you deny any untrue accusation, even by just using the words "That's untrue", before delivering your brief core message.

3) The technical hitch You sail through the interview, deliver your message, and avoid any tricky questions. As you lean back to relax while the recording is being checked, you mention to the interviewer how glad you were not to be asked about THAT topic. A message comes through that the recording didn't work properly, and you need to do it all again. You can guess the first question.
The moral of all this, of course, is never to relax until you're safe at home.

BE WHO YOU ARE

On the web, as they used to say, no-one knows you're a dog. I mean no disrespect to any canine readers, incidentally. The thing is, some people take on an online persona which is different from the real person they are. It may be accidental or deliberate, but either way, it's confusing for the rest of us. I'm not talking about the appalling practices of predatory perverts here. There are many upstanding citizens who feel the need to speak and behave in a different character online and offline.

What's the problem? If they can keep up the subterfuge, no harm will come of it, will it? I say it certainly can if you are using social media for business. Doing business is all about trust, and if you aren't sure who you are really speaking with, how can you trust them?

That's why I recommend using your real name online (along with your brand name if you wish). Business people should also use a recent photograph on their social media profiles and website, rather than a cartoon or company logo. As my dear old grandmother used to remark "Say what you mean, and mean what you say".

The main problems with online discussions seem to stem from misunderstandings or mis-communications. Being who you are, all the time, will make online business so much easier.

Falling off a treadmill is not funny. Well, maybe a bit. Anyway, there's a bit of bad language in this clip, and a few people with only themselves to blame.

Treat yourself to a day's media coaching.

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."