When should you do media training?

Most people don’t think about media training until they’re already in the hot seat. By then, it’s too late to fix what matters most: clarity, confidence, and control of your message.

So when's the best time to schedule a session?

1. Before a press-worthy moment
🏁 If you have a product launch, funding announcement, or any sort of press push coming up, get media training on the books. An expert media trainer will instantly see the 'press hook' in the announcement and the mock interview will train you to hone in on those newsworthy details. A great media trainer will also flag any recent news events that could overshadow or distort your announcement.

2. In the days (or hours) before the high-stakes interview
🔊 The best sessions I run are tied to a specific opportunity like CNBC, TODAY, or a key podcast. Then we’re not speaking in theory and instead pressure testing your exact message with what the specific reporter or anchor would likely ask. Answers should be crafted differently for a live TV interview versus a lengthy, in-depth podcast conversation versus a meandering phone call with a print reporter.

3. When you step into a bigger role
👨‍💻 If you're a new CEO, you're a new spokesperson. And with that there will be different expectations and scrutiny. Time for a media training refresh with your new talking points!

4. During a crisis (or right before one hits)
💥 This is of course when media training becomes essential. We'll focus on calm delivery and clear messaging that you can deploy quickly.

If you did media training years ago, think about how much has changed. Zoom interviews, shorter soundbites, and even less patience from audiences.

Without media training, even experienced executives tend to:

• Over-explain instead of landing a clear message

• Miss the opportunity to deliver a quotable soundbite

• Get pulled off-message by a single tough question

• Appear less confident on camera than they actually are

Remember, the people who seem "natural" on camera are usually just the most prepared. In my 60 minute zoom sessions, you'll learn bridging techniques to pivot from a probing question, flagging techniques to ensure the reporter comes away from the interview with the quote you wanted to land, and I often bring up my 3P's method to stay confident even in uncomfortable situations. For more information on how the 3P's helps calm nerves, see this blog post which explains how I put it into action before a recent presentation at the SXSW EDU conference.

Schedule your session.