Building and Protecting your Reputation |
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A new word has been appearing in headlines here all week - "Pingdemic"
It refers to being notified by the NHS Covid-19 app on your phone.
When you are “pinged” by the app, you are advised to self-isolate for a set amount of time. The notification is sent after the app registers that you have been close contact with someone who has tested positive with Covid-19.
it all sounds sensible, until you hear that over 600,000 people in the UK were "pinged" last week. There are stories of food shortages, businesses being forced to close, and an increasing number of people turning off the function in their app, which defeats the purpose of checking in to venues. I heard an expert on the radio saying "If the pandemic becomes endemic, the pingdemic may become academic". I'm still figuring that one out. |
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As i mentioned last week, I am releasing a few places on my annual speaker programme in September. Three to be precise. If you want to give a huge boost to your speaking career, with one-to-one coaching from me every month for a year at an astonishingly reasonable cost, drop me a line at alan@mediacoach.co.uk or call me on 07986 852621. |
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 | My guest in the radio show this week is an old friend, originally from Scotland, but who has been based in Singapore for many years.
Robin Speculand passionately lives and breathes strategy implementation. He continually creates new approaches to supporting leaders in transforming their organizations and is one of the world’s most prolific writers on the subject.
Simon will be performing his new show "How I found and captured Bigfoot during Lockdown" at The Etcetera Theatre as part of the Camden Fringe this August.
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The MediaMaestro is much-loved music retailer HMV, which has announced the opening of six new stores, including a new flagship store in London.
HMV fell into administration more than two years ago.
It was bought by Canadian music retail executive Doug Putman, who says he still thinks stores have a future.
"People obviously love going out shopping, they like touching and feeling and that's something that online is not going to replace," he told the BBC.
"I do believe... you're going to get more people trying to open up different stores and have different ideas. I'm still very optimistic on the business and business as a whole on the High Street. I still think the High Street is just something so special."
I wish them every success and will definitely be paying them a visit.
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The MediaMug is the European Handball Federation.
They have fined the Norway women's beach handball team for "improper clothing' when they wore shorts rather than bikini bottoms in a recent match.
The women were fined the equivalent of £130 (150 euros) each for the outfits they chose for their game against Spain in Bulgaria.
Norwegian sports minister Abid Raja described the penalty as "completely ridiculous", while the Norwegian Handball Federation praised the players for trying to change attitudes.
The International Handball Federation requires women to wear bikini bottoms “with a close fit and cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg.” The sides of the bikini bottoms must be no more than four inches. Men, on the other hand, can wear shorts as long as four inches above their knees as long as they are “not too baggy.”
Apparently at the European Handball Federation, it's still 1975. |
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Speaking Tip - Staying in the spotlight |
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Lee Bowman, who was one of the most respected speech coaches in the world, once said "A speech is like a spotlight, since it focuses intensely on a small area." Clearly, Lee was talking about good speeches. Alas, too many speakers try to pack in huge amounts of information into a short speech, leaving the audience dazed and confused. Often, it is because they are worried about running out of material, or appearing less than expert about their topic. Even worse, some use their slides to add another level of complexity, even using the terrifying phrase "This slide is rather complex - let me explain it to you" Back to the spotlight. That's where you need to stay throughout your speech. Ensure that you keep in mind the simple message that you want your audience to remember. One speaker that I met many years ago used two huge prompt cards - one had his core message on it, the other had the three main points of his speech. He kept both in view as he spoke - a constant reminder of what he was communicating. When in stage, he taped them to the stage like a set list for a rock band, so he literally walked (over) his talk. (That's his phrase, by the way). The thing is, it worked. It's even easier to do when you're speaking online. Don't be a speaker of whom the audience says "Great speech - wish I could remember what the point was". Get in the spotlight and stay there. |
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Media Tip - Going local (not in Acapulco) |
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Yes, sorry about the musical near-pun in the headline (ask your parents).
Local newspapers are not as numerous as they used to be, but they are still read offline and online by millions of people. Local radio has a more loyal audience than national TV. Local TV is sometimes restricted to news bulletins these days. but they struggle to fill their broadcast time. Many people dismiss local media as a waste of time, but on the contrary, it's very valuable.
There are a number of reasons you may want to appear on local media. Firstly, you may have a product or service that people in your area will buy (duh!). Secondly, a good story that is featured on local media will often find its way onto national media, due to the efforts of a stringer (a reporter who gets paid for each job they do, rather than being employed by a news outlet). Thirdly, it's a good way to hone your media skills.
Whenever you believe you have something news-worthy, look for the local angle. Every story has one, whether it is the number of local people affected by an issue, or a well-known local person (maybe you) who is part of the story. Get to know your local reporters, particularly those who feature stories about your type of business. Offer them help and advice, and be available when they call. You will soon find that you become a trusted source of quotes, and your profile will rise. And those local reporters often go on to become national reporters. If you've been a good source, they will keep in touch. |
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Social Media Tip - A first class you, or a second class someone else? |
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That's a phrase that first heard used many years ago by the great speaking coach, Patricia Fripp. She was coaching an up-and-coming speaker who had clearly heavily modeled their content, style and delivery on a famous speaker. Patricia was forthright in her feedback, asking "If you can't be yourself, why be out there at all?"
In my opinion, it's terrific advice, and not just for speakers, but for everyone who uses social media.. Being authentic is what your customers respond to. If you pretend to be something you're not, your mask will slip at some point (your metaphorical one that is).
- You don't need to copy phrases or funny lines from elsewhere.
- You don't need to cut and paste content from other people's blogs and websites.
- You don't need to make false claims about being "The world's leading...." or "The UK's most sought after......".
- You don't need to pretend that you just had an idea when you really heard it years ago somewhere else.
Instead........ - You need to write your own stuff.
- You need to have your own point of view.
- You need to be authentic and honest.
- You need to be a first-class you.
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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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