Building and Protecting your Reputation |
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Hi John,
It's been a bit of a Stormzy week. The award-winning rapper has stepped into the controversy about Harry and Meghan (just like everyone else) and said there is "no reason to dislike" the Duchess of Sussex. Fair enough. However, I think the best thing he did last week was turning up to a TV interview on BBC Breakfast wearing his slippers.
He accidentally forgot to change out of his slippers before he got into a taxi to the studio in Salford.
"I forgot, I'm an idiot!" he told hosts Dan Walker and Louise Minchin "I did a signing in Bristol... then I got in the car. I was like, 'Ah damn, I ain't got my trainers!'"
Thanks, Stormzy. Millions of middle-aged people now think that they are cool for wearing slippers to the corner shop (or is that just me?). |
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I will be coming back to the world of film in a moment, For now, let me share something that made me feel very old this week.
The next James Bond film will have a theme tune written and sung by Billie Eilish. She's eighteen. That means she is the youngest person ever to have that honour.
Several artists were thought to be in the frame for recording the title song, including Dua Lipa and Beyoncé - who sparked rumours after posing with a glass of vodka martini (shaken not stirred) on social media last week.
But Ms Eilish got the nod. The previous youngest singer, at 22, was Sheena Easton. Remember her? |
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Are you "in the moment"? It's something that businesses tend to ignore, preferring to live in the world of projects and detailed plans. However, Gilda Bonanno has helped a lot of companies perform better by teaching their executives how to be more "in the moment" Hear how in the Media Coach Radio Show.
There's also a great song from someone I watched at a gig last night, Rob Corcoran. |
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The MediaMaestro is cinematographer Roger Deakins, who I guarantee will win his second Oscar next month for his work on the Sam Mendes film 1917.
The film is apparently shot in one take, as a two-hour-long tracking shot, though there is one obvious cut in it (in reality there were several). Nonetheless, it is a film which is beautifully shot and edited to give a feeling that you are actually in the action.
It's one of the best films I've seen in a long time, and absolutely has to be seen on a big screen (I don't care how big your TV is, this is a film to see in a cinema).
Roger Deakins is considered to be among the most respected and sought-after cinematographers in the film business. His involvement in a film could secure the casting of established stars - a distinction usually reserved for auteur directors. He landed the role of director of photography in The Shawshank Redemption at the insistence of Tim Robbins, who had previously worked with him on the Coen brothers film The Hudsucker Proxy. Josh Brolin agreed to join to cast of Sicario only after hearing of Deakins' involvement. When Ryan Gosling accepted his role in Blade Runner 2049, he cited the involvement of Deakins as a factor for his decision
There is no point any of the other nominees for cinematography turning up. He will win the Bafta and the Oscar. Trust me on this one. |
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The MediaMug is ITV reporter Debi Edwards. She was in Australia to report on the devastating bush fires. However, she fell for an old Aussie joke that is often used to fool tourists - the drop bear story.
The ITV News Asia correspondent got dressed up in protective boots and safety goggles to take hold of the ‘bear’.
She panicked while holding it, asking for someone to take it away from her. Carers told her they might have to subdue it with a dart gun as it was preparing to attack her.
But when they took it off her and cuddled it without wearing any protective gear, she realised she had been tricked. ‘F***ing Aussies,’ Debi, from Aberdeen, said while laughing.
Quite. Glad to see they still have a sense of humour after all those fires. |
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Speaking Tip - Speak better - carry a notebook |
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How can carrying a notebook improve your speaking? It's all to do with gathering material. I was chatting to a budding speaker the other day, and she said "You're lucky to have so many stories - nothing ever happens to me". Of course, that isn't true. Stuff happens to all of us, all the time. We just have to spot the stories that we can use in our speeches to make a point that our audience can learn from. One of the most important things is to have a way of recording your experiences to hand at all times, and a pen and paper is ideal. There's something about the process of writing down a story that helps you to remember it and find a place in your speeches for it.
It was no surprise that I received a notebook or two as Christmas presents. I even bought myself one. I have dozens of them, filled with ideas, stories and overheard phrases. Every so often I flick through one or two of them to get ideas. I also take out any stories and catalogue them in a story file which acts as a superb speaking resource.
There's also something very reassuring about making notes, especially if you are speaking to someone. Always ask permission, and once given, you will find that they are much more attentive, and appreciative of the conversation.
So find yourself a notebook, and make your speaking even better this year. |
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Media Tip - A magic message |
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I often work with clients to create their "magic message", which they can then use in media interviews to make a strong point, or to explain exactly what they do. Every organisation has one, or several magic messages that summarise what they provide their customers (see a theme developing here?). Here are the qualities that I always look for in a magic message:
- Clarity - as simple as possible
- Uniqueness - what sets your organisation apart from others?
- Resonance - it appeals to the people you are trying to reach
- Present tense - It's about what is happening now
- Timely - It addresses a current need
A magic message is not necessarily your company strap-line, and it's definitely not your mission statement ("We will deliver world-class solutions and empower our customers....zzzz"). It's a ringing phrase that people will remember long after the interview is over, because it means something interesting to them.
Not having a message is like working undercover - you may get the job done, but no-one else will ever know. A great magic message will help you to become known and remembered, so that next time someone needs your services, they know who to call. |
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Social Media Tip - I've started so I'll finish |
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I see a lot of posts on Facebook that generate a slew of comments, but not from the original poster. What's going on? Why post something and then disappear? It's like the old game that schoolchildren play of ringing a doorbell and then running off. (OK, not a perfect analogy, but stay with me).
If you start a debate on social media, the least you can do is to take part in the subsequent discussion. You don't have to be there having a real-time conversation, but it is only polite to respond to comments, especially if they mention you by name, or ask a question about your original post.
If you never reply to comments, people will believe that you were never there in the first place, and that some kind of automatic process put your post online. Of course, I know you wouldn't do that, so I'm sure you don't want to give that impression.
Social media is about interactivity. It is set up so that people can have conversations. That's what generates engagement, and can lead to trusted connections who eventually become customers. Make sure that if you start a debate, you're there to finish it, or at least contribute until everyone runs out of steam. |
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Get in touch and we'll chat.
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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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