Building and Protecting your Reputation |
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The current situation has led many speakers to consider when and how they may finally get back on a stage.
I must admit, it's something that I'm missing a great deal too, though of course, there are many opportunities online, not least the ability to work in a lot of places at the same time.
The breaking down of borders by digital communications has implications not only for the speaking profession, but also for nation states, some of whom have attempted to keep some social networks from operating within their borders. They recognise the power tha social media has to change the world politically.
Speaking of which, there's a small election happening next week. By the time you hear from me again, we will definitely know the next US President. Or maybe not. Don't hold your breath. |
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I have three places left on my annual speaker coaching programme for 2021.
The coaching and mentoring is delivered via Zoom (until we can actually meet). The monthly sessions can be split into two sessions a couple of weeks apart if desired. There is work to do in between sessions, and the programme includes reasonable ad-hoc calls for advice and guidance at no extra cost.
The programme provides customised coaching around all aspects of a speaking business, including fees, getting bookings, working with bureaus, creating websites and show-reels, marketing strategies and of course creating killer keynote speeches. And of course there's an emphasis on remote speaking.
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 | My interview guest is someone who definitely understands politics. It's Paul Connew, former editor of the Sunday Mirror. He gave some real insights in to how to work with the media. Hear what he said in the Media Coach Radio Show.
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The MediaMaestro is comedian Bobby Ball, who died of coronavirus this week.
He was the irresponsible but anxious to please half of the comedy duo Cannon and Ball, famous for twanging his braces alongside the serious Tommy Cannon. “Rock on, Tommy!” was his catchphrase.
Cannon and Ball were television’s most popular comedy double act of the 1980s. Like Morecambe and Wise, their performances were pitched perfectly for weekend TV audiences looking for family entertainment. “The reason I don’t do blue,” said Ball, “is that, if I can’t fetch my children to see me perform, I’m not doing the right stuff. We do naughty stuff. It’s more ‘cheeky’.”
They were a genuinely brilliant comedy double act. Rock on, Bobby. |
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The MediaMug is a so far un-named 17 year old student from York who set up a fake webpage announcing that Woolworths was returning to the high street.
They said they carried out the prank to practice skills learned in a digital marketing course.A tweet from an account called Woolworths UK falsely claimed that some shops would open their doors on a trial basis in 2021. But Woolworths closed its physical stores in the UK in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.
The story was widely reported, with several national news outlets, including websites owned by Daily Mirror publisher and Reach, repeating the claim.
The sixth-former told the Guardian they wanted to remain anonymous because they did not want to "receive hate" from disappointed Woolworths fans who expressed excitement at the return of the shop's pick 'n' mix selections.
They added that they had never been inside one of the stores when it was open. They chose Woolworths because of its "nostalgic appeal".
That's not the wonder of Woolies, then. |
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Speaking Tip - Three Speaking Myths |
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Things work well in threes. But here are three things that don't really work from a speaking point of view.
1) If you know your stuff, you can wing it. No professional speaker would ever go on stage unprepared. They may look as though they are ad-libbing, but a lot of work has gone into creating that impression. A speech needs to be carefully crafted, with a great opening and closing line and a strong message. That takes work. Every great speech has probably gone through dozens of re-writes and rehearsals. Never, ever, go on stage and try to make up a speech on the spot.
2) You need to know more than your audience. This is one of the greatest concerns of inexperienced speakers, and they will avoid speaking to any audience where other experts may be present. It's rare that a speaker will know more about their topic than every member of an audience, and that's not what it's about. You're there to deliver your take on a topic, not to demonstrate your encyclopaedic knowledge. No-one else can do that but you.
3) If I have great slides, they'll carry me through. Yes, great slides will help, but they won't outweigh poor delivery. You need to be able to engage and entertain regardless of the quality of your visual aids. Similarly, a great presentation style won't compensate for awful slides. Everything you do must be good.
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Media Tip - Revenge is sour |
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I've spoken with clients who feel that their company or themselves personally have been unfairly criticised in the media. Their initial reaction is to call the radio or TV station to demand a right of reply. However, my advice is often to take another course of action. It's important to take a little time to reflect on the comments and the possible reputational damage. Responding in haste and anger is never a good idea.
I can't always see the point of a public airing of private grief. Even if you feel that you have been criticised in public, there is often little benefit in responding in the same forum, since there are several ways of contacting people directly. As US football coach Vince Lombardi used to say "Praise in public, criticise in private".
Remember that everything you say on air can be found later by current and prospective clients. However strongly you feel, the fact that you have made strongly critical comments against another individual will reflect badly on you, since the context will be long-lost. Even in context, it's still not going to look good to many people. Furthermore, it is not the best way to effect a resolution. In my experience, it's much easier to resolve a difference by direct contact, or preferably a face-to-face meeting. A public argument seems more likely to inflame the situation than to resolve it
Of course, a personal slight in public hurts, and there is a temptation to respond. But think twice. Then think a third time. You may still decide to respond. But if you do, remember the old saying "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves".
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Social Media Tip - We don't have to agree |
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Creating controversy is one way of getting noticed. Strong opinions spread rapidly across social networks, and can generate debates that involve thousands of people. So it makes sense to say something that everyone will disagree with, right? Well, up to a point. You need to have some reason for your opinion, preferably in the form of solid evidence. If not, a well set-out argument will do. But controversy for its own sake won't keep people interested.
Many people in the professional speaking world challenge traditional wisdom on stage, yet can be quite bland on social networks. The reverse is also true. I've seen blogs that express radical views from people who never make such remarks in conversation. I'm not suggesting that either approach is wrong, simply that they are inconsistent.
If you believe something to be wrong, post an article explaining why. If you don't accept conventional ways of doing things, tell us what to do instead. Respond to feedback, especially that from your harshest critics. You will soon build an online following who may not agree with everything you say, but who will always return to find out your latest views.
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An online 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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