Building and Protecting your Reputation |
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With the news having daily updates about potential vaccines, things are looking up a little. However, the events industry has been hit very badly, with the news this week that a third of events companies saying they will cease trading.
It's tough for everyone, of course, so I don't mean to single out any sector for special treatment. However, the events industry is worth around £70 billion in the UK alone, and that's without the spend on travel, hotels and tourism.
The good news is that events are starting to reappear, albeit online. If you're part of the events business, I hope things turn the corner for you very soon.
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For us speakers, online is the only way to go for a while.
Accordingly, I've steered my annual speaker coaching programme very firmly into helping you develop those virtual skills.
Drop me a line or give me a call to discuss the details of how I can be in your corner for the whole of 2021.
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 | David Berkeley is half of Son of Town Hall, who you can hear later in the show.
I spoke to him about the duo, and how lockdown has affected musicians and performers in general.
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The MediaMaestro is Paul Hollywood, one of the presenters of the Great British Bake-Off.
He defended finalist Laura Adlington after she was criticised by viewers online after the semi-final.
Laura faced negative comments on social media after narrowly avoiding elimination this week, at the expense of fellow contestant Hermine.
In an Instagram post, Hollywood said trolling was "disgusting behaviour".
"Those of you who may not be aware how Bake Off works or new to the series may have missed what we have always done on Bake Off judging," he wrote.
"Each week stands on its own!! It never matters what any baker has done in previous weeks."
Social media abuse is a huge problem, and it's good to see high-profile people speaking out against it. |
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The MediaMug is the controller at BBC Radio 1. I know it's early to be speaking about Christmas (sorry Andy), but the news broke this week that most people's favourite Christmas song, a Fairytale of New York, by Kirsty McColl and the Pogues, has been censored by the radio station.
The station said young listeners were particularly sensitive to derogatory terms for gender and sexuality. It will instead play an edited version with different lyrics sung by MacColl, who sadly died in 2000.
The new edited version changes two lines - one swapped for an alternative version in which MacColl sings "You're cheap and you're haggard" in place of a homophobic word.
In Radio 1's newly-edited version, another line, sung by Shane MacGowan in the second verse, has a word removed entirely. (It rhymes with glut)
Shane MacGowan defended the song, explaining: "The word was used by the character because it fitted with the way she would speak and with her character. She is not supposed to be a nice person, or even a wholesome person. She is just supposed to be an authentic character and not all characters in songs and stories are angels or even decent and respectable. Sometimes characters in songs and stories have to be evil or nasty in order to tell the story effectively."
Well said Shane. We don't need to be protected from words in classic songs. |
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Speaking Tip - Five awkward problems |
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Speakers have an easy job, don't they? All they do is appear on screen and speak. But sometimes things don't go according to plan. Here are some issues that could arise - and how to deal with them.
1) No confirmation of the event. A booking has been made months ahead, it's in pencil in the your diary, but there is no further communication until three days before the gig. To avoid this, take the initiative and make sure you make the confirmation call yourself.
2) No-fee events, with no obvious benefit to the speaker. There may be promises of "great referral opportunities", but when the audience can be counted in single figures, something is wrong. Make sure that there is always something of benefit to you - book sales, referrals etc.
3) Demanding copies of slides or videos three months in advance. Many speakers don't use slides, and fewer use videos. Some event planners don't understand that. Simply send a slide with a picture of yourself and the name of your talk. It works.
4) Telling the speaker as they begin "Can you cut your speech by 20 minutes" or "Can you keep going until the break - the next speaker has connection problems". Be professional and deliver the goods. Never complain. It will be appreciated.
5) Late cancellations, debates about cancellation fees, or an offline event going online, and reduced fee offered. Don't agree to any event without a signed contract, including your cancellation policy. Don't accept a lower fee if a fee has been agreed.
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I'm not sure whether Lady Gaga would come across well on radio. (OK, maybe I contrived the link to the title of this tip, but that's what radio presenters do). My point is that radio is not television, and different skills apply when you're involved in a radio interview. You still have to deliver a clear, simple message, and you need to stay calm and confident. However, there are a few other considerations that you must be aware of on radio.
Firstly, radio interviews often begin suddenly. In a TV studio, you will have been through makeup, sat in the green room, and had plenty of time to get ready. On radio, especially if you are on the end of a phone or Zoom call, you may get only a few seconds warning before you are live on air, so you need to be ready in advance. Sometimes you may be put through to the feed from the studio before your interview. Don't say anything until spoken to, since you may already be live.
Secondly, you won't have any props, such as your latest book, to show the audience. You can't rely on the interviewer to mention it, so you need to find a subtle way to work it into the conversation yourself. You could answer any question by saying "That's an issue I refer to in my book (insert title here), and it's a question I'm often asked". Remember to answer the question, though.
At the end of the interview, you may not be sure what to do. My advice is to stay on the line for at least a couple of minutes. You will probably receive thanks from the producer, or the presenter if they are able. More importantly, they may check if you are available for a future interview. That's a real prize. |
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Social Media Tip - Where to follow us |
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There are three short words that can transform your social media marketing; "Follow us on" (as in "Follow us on Twitter" or "Find us on Instagram"). Since most people will use Google to find you, make sure that your company or personal name (or both) is associated with your Twitter feed and Facebook page. For example, if people search for "Alan Stevens twitter", I appear at the top of page 1 of Google, even though my twitter handle is mediacoach.
Of course, there needs to be something interesting on your Twitter, Instagram or Facebook page when someone finds it. If your latest tweet was sent over a month ago, people won't follow you. Similarly, if all your messages are links to your own pages, or even worse, links to sign up for your courses, then visitors will depart very rapidly.
Provided you are delivering engaging content, then post the "Follow us on" message on all your marketing material, on your website, and use it in conversation. Once people know you have a social media presence, they will come and find you.
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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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