Building and Protecting your Reputation |
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Well we did it.
We made it through the year. Well done us. Though there's a way to go yet in terms of getting back to some kind of normality, and the impact of the virus will still be around for months to come, at least we can see a way out.
And though it's been - well - unusual, it's a year that has given us many stories to tell. In this first missive of the year, I always mention the "word of the year", as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary. This year, in an unprecedented move, they haven't named a single word, but several - Lockdown, Pandemic, Coronavirus and of course, Unprecedented.
I'm going with Lockdown, since it seems to me to be a defining aspect of my year, and probably yours too. Although it's been a strange and frustrating time, for me at least, there have been some positive aspects, so here are my ten things that have been good about lockdown. Any to add?
- Unworn shoes. I have three pairs of stage shoes that now have an extra year of wear in them
- Unworn suits (see shoes). Hardly ever worn, and no dry cleaning bills either.
- No travel delays - er...what is "travel'?
- Cooking - more time to browse recipes and spend ages making new dishes
- Fitness - more runs, more distance, better times.
- Reading - finally got through some of those books I've been meaning to read
- Reconnecting with old friends - a Zoom call is much easier to arrange than a meeting
- Learning - I've taken online classes from Steve Martin, Martin Scorsese, Gordon Ramsay, Carlos Santana and many others.
- Meditation - I've had much more time for my daily meditation sessions. Bliss.
- Family relationships - though lockdown can make relationships worse, it can make them even stronger too, which is my experience.
I wish you and your loved ones a very happy and healthy 2021!
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Next week, I will be launching a new speaker coaching package for those who aren't quite ready to commit for a full year.
I will mention it here, of course, but if you'd like to know more right now, drop me a line by replying to this email.
There will only be six places available, so please do get in touch if you have any interest in getting more gigs, raising your fees or creating a killer keynote. |
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 | Minter Dial serves his clients by elevating the energy and connecting people and ideas. He relishes being an engaging professional speaker on leadership, transformation and branding with a specialization in digital transformation since 2009. He's known for being someone who walks the talk and delivers on or above expectations.
I've known Minter for a long time, and I was delighted to interview him about his new book "You Lead", which takes a completely new look at an old topic - leadership
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There's also a great song to start the year from Mick Terry - it's all about the power of pop music. |
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The MediaMaestro was spotted by change specialist Dr Lynda Shaw (who you should definitely check out).
It is the Mayor of Nashville, John Cooper. Speaking after the bomb that devastated a part of his city, he issued a message of reassurance and calm, followed by a message of anger. It was totally appropriate for the situation, and was one of the best speeches in a crisis that I have seen for some time.
The mayor thanked the police for saving people from harm, and most importantly, positioned himself as the prime source of information about the incident - a prime directive of crisis management.
I hope the people of Nashville are able to recover and rebuild quickly.
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The MediaMug is Leeds United Football Club.
They complained about remarks made by football pundit Karen Carney, when she said that their players had benefited from the layoff enforced by COVID-19.
She said of Leeds: "They out-run everyone and credit to them. My only concern would be will they blow up at the end of the season? We saw that the last couple of seasons. I actually think they got promoted because of Covid in terms of it gave them a bit of respite. I don't know if they would have got up if they didn't have that break."
She has since received a huge amount of online abuse, which Leeds United have condemned. French journalist Philippe Auclair wrote: "To publish such a tweet on an official club account was already questionable, to say the least. To keep it there when its target is receiving abuse which was prompted by your tweet is simply wrong."
I agree.
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Speaking Tip - Four Speaker Resolutions |
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I do a few things at the start of each year with regard to my speaking that seem to work and pay dividends, so let me share them with you now. You may find them helpful too.
1) Note what worked well last year. You will know what worked in your speeches from the audience feedback and comments, both during and afterwards. I hope you made notes. if not, sit down and recall what those elements were. They may have been stories, case studies, or simply a line or unrehearsed comment. If it works, keep doing it.
2) Review the content of speeches. I change at least a third of the content of my speeches every year. Stories go out of date, new ones appear, and the attitudes of audiences change too. Using the opposite of the above (what didn't work last year), you should note those moments of confusion and glazed eyes in your online audience. That content has to be changed or dumped.
3) Look at new research. You need to stay current in your topic. That means reading research, talking to colleagues and making sure you know what is happening globally. Google alerts make it easy to do. If you're not using them already, you should be.
4) Look at new markets. The whole world is available to you. You can choose to focus on a new region, an extension of your topic, or a new style of delivery to a different audience. Try some new things in 2021.
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Media Tip - Four Media Resolutions |
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1) Know your organisation Yes, of course you know what your organisation does. But if you were asked detailed questions about its past activities and future plans, would you sound knowledgeable? I always recommend to my clients that every media spokesperson should have a one-page company background sheet with them at all times. It needs to be updated and re-issued regularly (now is a good time), so that everyone is informed and up-to-date.
2) Keep ahead of the competition People used to say "knowledge is power". It's still true. Aim to keep up to date with your rivals' activity by setting up Google alerts on their company and products. You will find that you are often better informed about their business than their own media spokespeople.
3) Listen to other experts Make sure that you have feeds set up to provide you with the thoughts of other experts in your area. They will let you know what the big issues are, and what the prevailing mood is.
4) Upload your own shows These days, anyone can set up a video or audio archive, and live streaming is much easier than it used to be. If you can't get on TV or radio, make your own.
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Social Media Tip - Four Social Media resolutions |
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1) Facebook groups A lot of the real interaction on Facebook is happening in the groups. They are easy to set up and run, so why not create one in your area of expertise? I set one up in 2020 that now has over two thousand members. You could do the same.
2) Twitter chats These have been around for some time, and attract hundreds of users who gather at the same time each week to exchange information and answer questions. Being the organiser is a great way to position yourself as an expert.
3) Go live on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube or Instagram Live streaming lets you broadcast just as though you were on TV, and your audience will probably be more engaged.
4 ) Blog controversially People love to hear a well-argued contrary view. Pick one issue each week and write your own alternative view on it. You will quickly build a following.
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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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