Steve O'Hear’s Post

ARE YOU A BUSINESS LEADER WHO SHOULD BE TALKING TO THE MEDIA??? Many business leaders think they should be talking more to the media. And they’re (mostly) right! This could be talking more with the trade press in their sector of the economy. And, sometimes - when you have something particularly important, insightful or fascinating to say - it could be doing interviews with local, regional, national and even international media. But many business leaders fear they may not handle a media interview well. And some of these fears are, alas, sometimes well-founded. Business leaders should be able to competently perform in media interviews: 1.  When their company is doing something significant that the wider public should know about 2.  When something has gone badly wrong that needs explaining to all those affected. If you’re one of these business leaders who thinks you should be more media-ready, here below is an excellent article to feed into your thoughts. It’s from the Raconteur sales and marketing newsletter. The same article is also in today's issue of The Times. The article contains a particularly telling line for all Chief Executive Officers: “If you’re the CEO of a company and you can’t talk about your business, when asked about it, you probably shouldn’t be the CEO.”   This is a quote from Charlie Beckett – the director of Polis – described by the article as "the journalism think-tank" spun out of The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Charlie Beckett is spot-on. But business leaders, like others, need to ensure they have the media interview response skills to deal effectively with questions from journalists. These can be straight-forward easy obvious questions - or more intense “blowtorch-on-the-belly” questions as they’re known in the world of Australian journalism. Either way, if you’re a business leader who is thinking about making the leap into media interviews, feel free to line up a call first to talk things through: [email protected] Enjoy the article - and the serious thinking required about all it says: https://lnkd.in/ec-Y_FyC. #mediatraining #corporatecommunications #mediarelations  #media #interviewskills  #interviews  #interviewsuccess  

Clarity is crucial in media interviews. If people don’t understand what a spokesperson is saying, they will zone out or switch off. And the opportunity a media interview presents is lost. It's vital spokespeople avoid jargon and 'corpspeak', like these cringey examples https://bit.ly/3XIF7vV #mediatraining #mediarelations #comms

Gaining media attention for your company is very positive for your brand image. However, being the one to speak on behalf of your team is still a daunting task for most. PR professionals are trained in this, but all of your company’s leaders should be prepared to handle interviews with the press, especially for major events and opportunities to reach out to the public. If you are asked to speak to an interviewer, it is an opportunity for your company and your professional reputation and recognition. Here are a few tips to help you get through your first encounter with the press: 🎤 Ask your interviewer questions in advance. 🎤 Practice self-awareness when you speak. 🎤 Focus on the reporter rather than the audience. 🎤 Try not to get emotional. More: https://lnkd.in/eyCG7Jca #MediaTraining #PublicRelations #InterviewTips #PressInterview #MediaRelations

There are some “media interview non-negotiables” that every good PR practitioner knows. We should do a better job of teaching executives to understand them, too. ⚖️ Here are a few of mine: 🚫 We can’t ask to see the reporter’s interview questions in advance. 🛑 We can’t vet a story before it’s published. That’s a no-go. ❌ We can’t ask to remove quotes or sections of an interview if an executive misspoke. ✅ We can only request changes to a story for factual errors. Why are these non-negotiable? They protect our – and the organization’s – relationship with the reporter. 🤝 Some outlets and reporters have publicly shamed companies who make these requests. How can we best manage the outcome? 📋 Prepare thoroughly. 🕵️ Work with PR pros. We research the reporters and outlets, anticipate questions, and prepare executives for interviews. 🔍 Operate that everything said is “on the record.” Don’t say it if you don’t want to see it in the story. 🎯 Media training isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s essential to success. Please don’t ask us to skip it. What are your media interview non-negotiables? #MediaRelations #PRTips #ExecutiveTraining #MediaTraining #PublicRelations #PRBestPractices #CrisisCommunications #ReputationManagement

The worst thing you can do in a media interview is wing it. If you go in unprepared, hoping your charm or expertise will carry you through, brace yourself for disaster. Rambling answers, deer-in-the-headlights looks, cringe-worthy gaffes - I've seen it all from executives who thought they could "handle it." But here's the thing: even the most experienced spokesperson can get tripped up by a tough question or a high-pressure situation. Media training isn't just for newbies. Before every interview, take the time to: -Revisit your key messages -Anticipate difficult questions -Practice your responses out loud -Get feedback from a trusted advisor -Be prepared for and take advantage of that last question: "Anything else you want to add?" Preparation is the key to poise and persuasion. Don't sabotage your hard-earned media opportunity. #PR #PRAgency #PRFirm #MediaRelations #PublicRelations

The worst thing you can do in a media interview is wing it. If you go in unprepared, hoping your charm or expertise will carry you through, brace yourself for disaster. Rambling answers, deer-in-the-headlights looks, cringe-worthy gaffes - I've seen it all from executives who thought they could "handle it." But here's the thing: even the most experienced spokesperson can get tripped up by a tough question or a high-pressure situation. Media training isn't just for newbies. Before every interview, take the time to: -Revisit your key messages -Anticipate difficult questions -Practice your responses out loud -Get feedback from a trusted advisor -Be prepared for and take advantage of that last question: "Anything else you want to add?" Preparation is the key to poise and persuasion. Don't sabotage your hard-earned media opportunity. #PR #PRAgency #PRFirm #MediaRelations #PublicRelations

Do you have a favorite question to ask the job interviewer? One that you always ask that allows you to decide if a company is right for you. As the hirer for our Chicago PR team, at the end of the interview, I always asked “What questions do you have for me?” This is a pretty standard and normal question, right? This is what I was hoping for in the answer: Someone who went a little above and beyond, researched our company, and asked a question like this: -I see that you work with <client x>. What do you do for them?  (a little research about our clients) Or like this: -I see you have both a content marketing and a PR team. How do you decide which department handles a particular piece of content? (a little research in our About Us section) Instead of this: -What does a typical day look like? (No research, generic question) What I was looking for was someone to be *proactive*. Being proactive was the #1 attribute I looked for in a team member. It was a category on the employee’s (& my) annual performance review. I couldn’t ask the question directly, ie “Are you proactive?” More than likely, they would have told me a well-rehearsed case study. I wanted them to *show me* they were proactive by asking me a question that took a little bit of proactivity, in this case — a little research into our company. This question helped me separate the contenders from the pretenders. Now your turn: Is there a key question that helps decide if the company is right for you?

Knowing When to Say No: Should You Occasionally Decline Media Interviews? Navigating media requests can be challenging, especially during sensitive times for your company. You might wonder, “Why would I ever decline an interview?” Let’s explore a scenario that illustrates the importance of knowing when to hold back. Imagine your company is facing an internal crisis, and leadership has not yet come up with a clear strategy. As news of the situation leaks, reporters start reaching out for comments. In this case, politely declining the interview can be a smart move. Here’s why: Lack of a Defined Plan: Without a clear direction from leadership, your comments might not align with the company’s future strategy. Evolving Situations: The circumstances can change rapidly. Premature comments may lead to misinformation, which can damage your organization's credibility. Influx situations like these are clear indicators that it’s better to pause before immediately engaging with the media. Maintaining communication with your media contacts for future follow-ups is a good strategy. Other valid reasons to decline media interviews may include: Ongoing Legal Proceedings: Legal considerations can prevent you from commenting. Improper Spokesperson: If you’re not the right person to address the issue, it’s best to step back. Lack of Preparation: Being unprepared can lead to miscommunication and harm your image and reputation. Knowing when to step back can not only protect your company’s reputation but also strengthen your relationships with the media. When you do engage, you can provide insightful and informed comments that reflect your organization’s image, values and perspective. Remember, it’s okay to say no. Prioritize thoughtful communication over “hastiness”, and your media interactions will become much more effective. #MediaRelations #CrisisCommunication #PublicRelations #MediaStrategy #BusinessCommunication #PRfirm #PRservices

What sets the tone for a successful interaction with media? Having sat in on more than 1000 media interviews over the past couple of decades, I’ve observed the good (and the great!), the bad and the ugly. Here’s three things you can do to set yourself up for a successful media interview, regardless of the medium or topic. 1. Treat the reporter with respect: this should go without saying – but when the stakes are high, sometimes manners slip. In my experience, it’s incredibly rare to face a prickly reporter – but if you do, don’t take it personally. You don’t know what their editor has told them, or how many challenging conversations they’ve had that day. 2. Have three key messages you want to get across, and practice different ways to incorporate them: whether you’re promoting your new book or defending your company in a crisis, you need three key messages, each backed up by up to three facts, examples or stories to illustrate your point. Practice different ways to incorporate these messages – don’t rely on being asked your dream question! You need bridging statements and stories or examples to link what you want to get across with what you think the reporter will ask. 3. Practice! So that you can gracefully handle any type of question. You want to be pushed to your limits BEFORE the interview. Great interviews can be fast eroded with an emotive trip-up. Practice is key. This is by no means exhaustive, but a sturdy starting point. If you’d like to read my full newsletter on this, the link is in the comments 😊

WHEN THE MEDIA COMES KNOCKING. One critical factor when facing the media for an interview is clarity of message. Going into the interview with a well-defined, concise message allows you to stay focused, avoid getting sidetracked, and ensure your key points come across effectively. Clarity of message helps you control the narrative, making it easier to respond confidently to questions, even difficult ones, and reducing the risk of being misinterpreted. When your message is clear, it resonates with the audience, strengthens your credibility, and leaves a lasting impression, which is essential for making the most of the media opportunity. Never waste an opportunity to get your message across. #MediaTraining #InterviewPreparation #PublicRelations #StayOnMessage #EffectiveCommunication