Building and Protecting your Reputation |
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OK, it's not as fast as we wanted, but here in the UK at least, life is getting back to something like it was a couple of years ago. I was in a crowd of 18,000 people last week at Edgbaston in Birmingham to watch the England cricketers take on New Zealand.
I'd forgotten what a boost it was to be in a stadium that was singing and cheering. We all took lateral flow and PCR tests - something else we've all got used to. And I'm not certain, but the England football manager Gareth Southgate may have turned up.
A shame about the result (from my point of view anyway), but for most people that was secondary to the event itself.
This weekend, I'm off to a stand-up comedy gig, and over the next couple of weeks, some music gigs. It's just like summer - it's even bucketing down with rain as I write this! |
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A REMINDER OF COMPETITION TIME!
The return of top-class sport and other events provides a great opportunity for something I posted last week - ridiculous commentary.
So here's your chance to win a signed copy of "The Exceptional Speaker"
Every month this summer - June, July and August - I will award a copy of the book to the person who spots the most ridiculous piece of commentary at any event.
Closing date is the end of each month. My decision is final. Entries by email to alan@mediacoach.co.uk Good luck! |
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Tristan set up his natural navigation school in 2008 and is the author of award-winning and internationally bestselling books, including The Natural Navigator (2010) and The Secret world of Weather (2021), some of the world’s only books covering natural navigation.
He has spent decades hunting for clues and signs in nature, across the globe, and regularly gets called:
“The Sherlock Holmes of Nature”
I love talking to him.
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The MediaMaestro award goes to a global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
He removed two bottles of Coca-Cola from the table in front of him at a press conference after his match at the Euros and said “Agua!”as he held a bottle of water aloft.
That simple act wiped four billion dollars from the share price of Coca Cola, and showed the power of comments by people who have hundreds of millions of followers on social media. Later, France footballer Paul Pogba removed a bottle of beer that had been placed in front of him at his press conference. He doesn't drink alcohol (though the bottle he removed was actually non-alcoholic lager).
Why are these acts important? Because sponsors are investing huge amounts in order to get their brand in front of millions of people. Perhaps in future they will check the preferences of the people they want to use them. |
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The MediaMug is the new kid on the block as far as TV News is concerned - GB News, the venture created by former BBC presenter Andrew Neil.
They launched on Sunday with a few glitches, which unfortunately for them have continued through the week. There have been sound problems, microphones not working, autocues getting stuck and confused and concerned presenters.
I have a lot of time for Andrew Neil as a journalist, but he may have taken on a bit too much here.
They even got spoofed by people texting in with fake names. I won't repeat them here, but I'm sure you know the sort of thing.
In a piece about Enid Blyton, she was referred to as "the author of the Magnificent Seven".
And their caption writers can't spell either. Hey ho. |
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Speaking Tip - You can ask questions too |
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Many speakers fear the question and answer session at the end of their speech. They see it as a time when the audience can take control and undo the work done by a great speech. Of course, this should never be a problem, since you're the expert, and you can use one of a number of techniques to respond to any type of query.
Remember that you can also ask questions. In fact, it's a very good idea, which will help to build rapport and show that you are responsive to the views of your audience. You can hold a straw poll, asking for people to indicate their views about a particular issue. Be aware that many people may be nervous of answering, fearing either a direct question, or revealing their opinion about a controversial topic.
It's better to ask for people to volunteer their experiences. For example, if you were talking about teamwork, you could ask "Has anyone here worked in a high-performing team, and would like to tell us when and why". Try to steer clear of negative experiences, and avoid anything that could turn into personal criticism.
You can adjust subsequent parts of your talk to refer back to audience experiences. That works really well. Remember the name of the person who spoke, and refer to them later as you say "As Mary told us earlier..."
Your audience will love you for it.
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Media Tip - Time is tight |
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Once upon a time, a TV appearance was almost a leisurely affair. There was time to develop an argument, respond in detail, challenge other guests, and summarise your case. You might be given a minute or two for each answer.
That's no longer the case. Your answers have to be brief and concise, perhaps as short as six seconds, and the whole interview could be over inside a minute. You need to be ready to go and well-prepared. Here are some tips for delivering your message in next to no time:
- Rehearse your message out loud with a colleague before the interview. Learning a written phrase is not enough. You have to hear yourself saying it.
- Drink enough water to moisten your mouth and throat, but not so much that you need to keep your legs crossed.
- Be ready to go ten minutes before the expected time, since you may be called early.
- Be prepared to back-refer to other items recently broadcast (so obviously you need to watch or listen to the output in advance of your interview)
- Listen intently to the questions.
- Pause for a couple of seconds before responding
- It's OK to enjoy the experience.
- Smile and nod at the end of the interview. The final reaction shot will create an impression on the viewer.
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Social Media Tip - The French Maths Test |
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German mathematician David Hilbert used to speak of a French mathematician (still with me?) who said: "A mathematical theory is not to be considered complete until you have made it so clear that you can explain it to the first person whom you meet on the street."
I assume you're not posting mathematical theorems online, but even if you are, this advice still applies. You have to be sure that people who read your posts understand what you mean by them. Does that mean you have to use simple words and ideas? Basically, yes.
It's no use using abbreviations, jargon, and references to people that few of your audience will know or comprehend. It may make you look or feel clever, but it isn't communication. It can happen by accident, simply because we all make assumptions at times that our experience and knowledge is commonplace.
The most obvious indicator that your posts are too complex is comments that say "I don't understand", or feedback that has misinterpreted the point you were trying to make. A more effective way is to ask a friend or colleague to read them. If they don't understand, a re-write is required. Keeping things simple doesn't mean dumbing-down. It's real communication.
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An online or in-person speech to make? I can help.
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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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