Handling the Media - Group
Group - One Day Course
Course Description
People who are interested in comparing media courses in Australia choose our program because the arrangements are simple - even when handling special requests for the participants. We are used to enquirers who want various sized groups or unusual dates and course locations - not to mention the tailoring of content to exactly suit specific needs.
The Handling the Media program is up-to-the-minute, and its ideas are presented simply, in a logical order. We want people to understand how the media and journalists relate to newsmakers, and how reporters go about their work. We help participants to understand the process from the media point of view. such as the reporters' need to identify what might appeal to the public, and the stress created by the pressure of deadlines.
We have designed three systems to help newsmakers to be positive in dealing with the media. These are: (1) How to plan positive messages which should interest the media. (2) How to develop direct quotes which contain the clear message, and which the media will use. (3) How to do the longer question-and-answer interviews on radio, and TV - how to get and keep control and use positive prepared material.
Who Will Benefit?
Anyone who has to understand the media, face the media, or help others do the same. Anyone involved in issues or crisis management.
Participants come from all walks of life, from all sections of the community, business and government. Most of our courses are done in-house for groups from organisations or as one-on-one coaching, but there are some seminars available around Australia each year.
Course Outline
- Discover what the media really want.
- Techniques to control the outcome.
- Use of an issues management model [2A+3M] to ensure a relevant, pro-active message.
- How to deliver direct, effective, usable quotes.
- How to structure watertight answers that cannot be challenged by an interviewer.
- How to keep control in a longer style interview - stopping interruptions and staying on track.
- Preparation of colourful messages that serve your purpose.
- Basic tips on presentation.
- How to use paper or e-mail, rather than an interview, to give information to journalists.
Once messages are developed, practical sessions give the participant the chance to deliver them in a real life scenario. Working senior journalists may assist the group for practice interviews and for immediate feedback. (These journalists have signed confidentiality agreements.)
The practice interviews are recorded and given to the clients at the end of the course. Course notes and electronic information with course material and preparation tips are supplied.
Special emphasis options
The Handling the Media course is tailored to your exact needs. If you or your group deal predominantly with the print media, finance, specialist or trade press, regional/suburban papers, in-house publications or websites, then special emphasis can be given. The same applies for radio and television, with specific relevant demonstrations and practical sessions available.
A Typical Course Structure
| 9 am | What the media want, and why. How to use these rules to your advantage, and get a pro-active message across in any situation. Examples. How to use an interview preparation sheet. |
| 10:30 | Break |
| 10:45 | News and other quotes. How and why the media edit your material. How to prepare and deliver an interview where brief quotes are being selected. Practice interviews for news with journalist. Replays and discussion. |
| 12:45 pm | Lunch |
| 1:30 | Longer interviews such as live-to-air radio/current affairs. How to package an answer so that it gets your point over in a watertight way; how to clarify or defuse questions if there's innuendo. How to prepare and do the interview, so that you keep control, and stay on the focus you have planned. |
| 3:00 | Break |
| 3:15 | Conduct a longer interview. Each interview is analysed to see how control was maintained, and positive points delivered. |
| 4:30 | Concluding questions and discussion. |
We can emphasise certain parts of this course to meet client needs, or we can combine parts of the program with other elements such as writing, presentation, or oral briefing skills.
Course Arrangements
People learn most when the group size is six or less. Larger numbers present no problem with our sub-group method for practical work.