Much more than "on-message"

Contemporary media relations for leaders is much more than simply "staying on-message without making mistakes"

Today's spectators are at the height of their sophistication

Their bullsh*t detectors are finely-tuned. Deftly-composed statements no longer cut it on their own

Cynical audiences

An increasingly cynical audience, bolstered by the experience of being bombarded with countless media speakers, makes decisions based upon more than just words, assurances and detailed proposals

Merely saying the right thing is no longer enough

How you're perceived inevitably colours, positively or negatively, how your message is perceived and in turn the potential tone of an article or broadcast

We're weary of media-trained trickery

Journalists and audiences can spot it a mile off. Pre-scripted answers delivered without heart and soul cause more harm than good. The PR team might be happy the "right thing" was said. But the audience are left annoyed, feeling cheated they've learnt nothing aside from the speaker's smug ability to sidestep a question or robotically stay on-message

We've all seen it

Skillfully coordinated PR, hard-won brand image and a spokesperson that says the right things can all be struck down in a stroke. Simply because the media and its audience judges the perceived believability and personal impact of the person in charge doesn't match the rest of the message

Gut feeling

No matter what you actually say - and of course, its importance remains - the ultimate gut instinct or "feeling" of the audience is frequently the difference between success and failure, support or indifference, action or inaction. In fact, even with a print interview, the tone of an article is often "coloured" by the gut feeling of the journalist

Too much theory and not enough heart

Traditional media training is typically defensive in approach. The focus is on theory rather than performance. There's a feeling the media should be feared rather than embraced. Training sessions are packed full of the likes of "top ten tips", "body language 101", "here's how to sidestep the question". PR boxes are ticked, but does it actually work in terms of your audience's trust, empathy and believability? In many cases, we don't think so

Clarity, confidence and competence

A clearly articulated message with interviews delivered in a "conversational style" that just "feels right"

Audiences don't feel cheated

Interviews feel more transparent, more convincing, more in tune with the subject matter

Authenticity

No-one becomes a "spokesperson". The very personality that's got you where you are today is preserved, not diluted. And delivery feels effortless and natural

Meeting in the middle

You'll find it much easier to marry what the journalist wants with what you're trying to achieve, whilst being able to more easily avoid many of the common traps and pitfalls

I won't need to come back

I work quickly and permanently. My coaching is designed so you experience it once and reap the benefits far into the future, being able to apply it to any message you need to deliver

Positive results

Whether you have a product to promote or position to defend, your investment in coaching will deliver a return; as my kind testimonials and case studies continually demonstrate

Almost 100% practical, learn-by-doing approach

with no dreary lectures or textbook theories. Interviews are meaningful, relevant and real-life

Building confidence through proof

With recording and playback, you'll immediately see the measurable effects of the coaching on both confidence and competence

I give you what you need, not what you already know

My training style is sufficiently flexible and advanced to ensure I go at your pace, instead of working within a rigid structure. This means your time is maximised for optimal benefit and cost effectiveness

And, if your training is in a group setting

...coaching is still predominantly 1 to 1 meaning I can simultaneously challenge and deliver value to both experienced and inexperienced interviewees alike

You'll receive a professional recording

of all the practical exercises, vividly illustrating your growth throughout the training

You'll also receive an individually-tailored, smartphone-friendly "aide memoire"

highlighting the specific conclusions and key points of the coaching and - clients tell us - a wonderful boost when referred to immediately prior to a media interview

"Advice for life"

My clients - whenever they feel they need it - have access to unlimited informal advice, giving re-assurance, a confidence boost and broad-based guidance prior to any key media interview