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SUMMARY: Becoming a standout public speaker involves more than just crafting speeches—it requires media exposure, enthusiastic delivery, and effective branding strategies. From captivating your audience to booking dream speaking engagements, these seven articles offer invaluable tips and insights for speakers at any level. By mastering communication skills, managing nerves, and honing storytelling abilities, you can elevate your public speaking prowess and leave a lasting impact on your audience.
Table of contents: * How to Be a Fabulous Public Speaker: 7 Inspiring Tips + How to Create a Great Speech. + Seven Articles to Send You on Your Path to Public Speaking Greatness: + 1. Capture and Keep Your Audience’s Attention. + 2. Develop into a Top Professional Speaker. + 3. Build Your Brand by Starting Small. + 4. Book Your Dream Speaking Engagement. + 5. Make People Want More of You. + 6. Cope with Your Nerves and Rock Your Speech. + 7. Prep Your TED Talk. + Bonus: 10 Ways to Master Your Communication Skills. How to Be a Fabulous Public Speaker: 7 Inspiring TipsWhether you’re attempting to break into the world of public speaking, or you’re already a seasoned professional handling large crowds with ease, you need to have an edge over your competitors — and be seen as the speaker of choice in a league of your own — in order keep bookings coming.
Being in the news and writing a book are two sure-fire ways to gain the attention of meeting planners, speakers’ bureaus and organizations. Having a book adds major credibility to your skillset, and the traction gained by news coverage can make choosing your brand a no-brainer.
Find out the two ways to gain the attention of meeting planners, speakers’ bureaus + organizations in this article.
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Why is this? People naturally gravitate towards speakers they have heard about. They feel like they know you already, and are coming to catch up on what’s new, or get the inside scoop on your latest offering. When you appear on TV, on the radio, or in print, to the average person, you’ve already been “vetted” by the media. A mention on a national show or publication serves as a badge of honor if you’re not already famous. And being able to put that logo on your website and speaker’s materials automatically sets you apart.
How to Create a Great Speech.But that’s not where it ends. Now that you’ve got some media exposure and a few gigs booked as a public speaker, you have to deliver the goods. Creating the bones of a good speech is not only necessary, it’s also a crucial part of your winning strategy. However, that’s not all it takes — a truly great speaking engagement is a work of art in structure and delivery. The audience wants to see that you’re enthusiastic, authentic and humorous. Your value as a public speaker is increasingly enhanced if you have a great product or service to sell and the lovability to get booked again and again.
Your value as a public speaker is increasingly enhanced if you have a great product or service to sell + the lovability to get booked again + again.
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Here Are Seven Articles to Send You on Your Path to Public Speaking Greatness:1. Capture and Keep Your Audience’s Attention.In this piece, speaking pro Chris Widener covers everything. From a simple media training technique to get 20 to 35 percent of your audience to buy, to how to know what to charge and creative ways to get hired even when associations, corporations or companies claim they don’t have a budget.
2. Develop into a Top Professional Speaker.This article is perfect for those of you looking to break into the professional speaking field, covering the 10 steps to becoming an impressive motivational speaker. Joel Brown, a successful CEO in his own right, breaks down the media training tools you need to succeed and make the most from your speaking arrangements.
3. Build Your Brand by Starting Small.This round-up is useful for entrepreneurs of any level looking to book speaking engagements. The Young Entrepreneur Council goes over points even the most developed of us forget, like the ultimate Do-It-Yourself PR training strategies, make it happen meetups, and how to start local, then go global.
Find the ultimate Do-It-Yourself PR training strategies inside.
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4. Book Your Dream Speaking Engagement.In this article, Susan Tardanico goes over how we can do what the pros do and book the speaking engagements of our dreams. Given that over 90 percent of communication is nonverbal, Tardancino shares media training tools that can help you communicate better with body language. The article also discusses the pitfalls of PowerPoint and how to find your most useful personal stories to create memorable encounters with your audience.
5. Make People Want More of You.In this piece Tim Ferris — public speaker and famed author of the New York Times Bestseller, The 4-Hour Workweek — goes over the perfect formula to be the best professional speaker in town. These masterminded media coaching tips include how to prepare seamless 10-minute segments, what not to do before heading on stage, and what jokes are better left for the break room.
6. Cope with Your Nerves and Rock Your Speech.Sweaty hands, dry mouth, the trembles? Find out How to manage your anxiety – and your body – to rule the stage. With the right media training techniques, standing up in front of a large crowd doesn’t need to be daunting.
7. Prep Your TED Talk.Guy Kawasaki gives his take on Carmine Gallos’s advice from the book, Talk Like TED: The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds. If you’re itching to be a thought leader or have something creative or provocative to share with the world, work on your TED talk. In the speaker’s realm this is one of the fastest ways to becoming known, followed, loved – and booked.
Bonus: 10 Ways to Master Your Communication Skills.Solid advice for both beginners and experienced speakers about how to manage your inner life as well as your outer actions. “It’s about helping others by meeting their needs, understanding their concerns, and adding value to their world.” Ultimately, this is what all good speaking is about.
Share a favorite moment (or blooper) from one of your public speaking engagements. Our mistakes can often be a catalyst, creating the best connections with our audience.
Zen of FameSubscribeFree ConsultThe post How to Be a Fabulous Public Speaker: 7 Inspiring Tips first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post How to Be a Fabulous Public Speaker: 7 Inspiring Tips appeared first on Susan Harrow.
SUMMARY: Are you struggling to get featured in the media? It might be your attitude holding you back. Discover 7 harmful attitudes blocking your path to publicity success, from body image concerns to feeling ordinary. Learn from role models like Oprah and Anne Hathaway, who embrace authenticity. Remember, being yourself is key to media success. Ready to change your mindset? Start here.
Table of contents: * 7 Harmful Attitudes Blocking You From Getting Featured in the Media and Getting Great Publicity + Get Publicity the Right Way so it Works. + Harmful Publicity Attitude #1. + Harmful Publicity Attitude #2. + Harmful Publicity Attitude #3. + Harmful Publicity Attitude #4. + Harmful Publicity Attitude #5. + Harmful Publicity Attitude #6. + Harmful Publicity Attitude #7. + Relax. 7 Harmful Attitudes Blocking You From Getting Featured in the Media and Getting Great PublicityNot getting featured in the media?
Feeling tons of “resistance” whenever you sit down to work on your press kit, pitch or press release?
Can’t seem to “crack the code” on how to get top bloggers, journalists, editors podcasters, and producers to pay attention to your work?
Frustrated that your replies to HARO and other PR services and don’t get any response?
Feel like, deep down, you “know” what you ought to be doing to take your visibility to the next level… except for some reason, you’re not doing it?
Over the past 34 years of my career, I’ve spent over 150,000 hours (that’s a very conservative estimate) training entrepreneurs, authors, founders, speakers, consultants and coaches to help them get featured in the media and then use that exposure to double or triple their business and increase awareness and loyalty to their brand.
Get Publicity the Right Way so it Works.I always ask my clients, “Why are you having trouble getting press for your business?” One client said she had done literally hundreds of radio shows, with few results, and had no idea what she was doing wrong. Many other clients have similar stories. Those are the ones that say that “publicity doesn’t work.”
Just as typically my clients tend to point towards something “external” (like: “My press releases doesn’t really represent what we do” or: “My website looks dated.”)
Fair enough. I agree: having all of your materials looking professional is very important. Your presence and what you say when you’re in the spotlight is too.
But in my experience? If you’re consistently struggling to get your business, book, product, service, cause or mission in the media, or your media appearances just don’t have much of an effect, the source of your “blockage” usually boils down to one thing:
Your attitude.
Your attitude stinks! Could that be what’s holding you back from getting major media?
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In other words: What you BELIEVE about yourself and your ability to serve.
This may sound harsh, but it’s actually a very empowering thing to realize. Because once you’ve identified the harmful attitude that is holding you back, you can take steps to resolve it. Hopefully: once and for all.
Think your attitude is just fine, thank you very much? That may be true.
But it never hurts to do a little self-exploration.
Read on and see if any of the following 7 attitudes sound a bit like… you.
Harmful Publicity Attitude #1.“I’m too fat to be on TV or get publicity. Maybe if I lose 20 pounds first…”
Why you need to change your ‘tude:
It’s been reported that 97% of women have at least one “I hate my body” moment, per day.
Imagine if every woman who thought to herself, “Ugh, I don’t like how I look” allowed those thoughts to STOP her from seeking media opportunities. We would literally have almost ZERO women appearing in the media. What a dismal world that would be!
Harmful weight-related attitudes aren’t just for women, of course. Men can — and do — think these kinds of thoughts, too, but generally, they don’t let that hold them back.
If you feel that you need to drop some weight, for your overall health, go for it. But in the meantime, don’t let “size shame” halt your progress. Not everyone who appears in the media needs to be a rail-thin supermodel. There’s room for all kinds of ideas, personalities and sizes.
Have you thought this: I’m too fat to go on TV? Don’t let that hold you back.
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Your media role model:
Oprah, of course.
She has publicly battled with her weight for decades. Even at her absolute lowest weight, she wore a size 10! Now with the help of Ozempic or the equivalent, she’s shrinking again. Yet at any poundage she’s perfectly comfortable talking about health, happiness, well-being, and “living your best life” — in front of international audiences. People respect her opinions, completely. If she can do it, why not you?
Harmful Publicity Attitude #2.“I’m so boring! My life has been relatively comfortable and easy. I haven’t overcome an extreme adversity, don’t have a rags to riches story, or anything ‘gritty’ to share.”
Why you need to change your ‘tude:
Not everything in the media needs to be “gritty,” “caustic,” “violent” or “dramatic.” And we’ve certainly had our fill of rags to riches stories, haven’t we? You don’t need to have become homeless and lived under a bridge, eaten from garbage cans or been swindled out of a fortune by your business partner to get media coverage.
In fact, I would argue that today’s audiences are so bombarded with “drama” that they are delighted for an escape from the madness. (There’s a reason why compilations of viral videos like this one are so popular.)
You don’t need to be rude, crude or rough around the edges in order to get booked in the media. You just need to be yourself.
If the “real you” is a positive person who was blessed with wonderful parents and a joyful childhood, so be it. You still have ideas, tips, strategies and stories to share, you can still be entertaining, you can still be insightful and you can still help people to lead better lives. Suffering is not a prerequisite for service.
As my friend Alex puts it, you don’t necessarily have to “overcome adversity in order to know stuff.”
Your media role model:
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly has built a huge media platform anchored on “traditional values” like kindness and compassion. She consciously steers away from gritty or violent topics. The description of her show is: Singer Kelly Clarkson offers heartwarming stories, live musical performances, games and surprises.
She’s known for delivering audiences a daily dose of positivity — complete with local heroes who are doing great things in their community. That’s who she is and what she does best.
If you are the “Kelly” of your industry, embrace it! Don’t try to change yourself for the spotlight. You will feel awkward, uncomfortable, and struggle to successfully make the “point” that you’re there to make — and audiences will be feeling uncomfortable, right along with you.
Just be you. “You” is what works.
Harmful Publicity Attitude #3. “All of this media preparation stuff — like setting up my website or meeting planner page — is too hard! I’m terrible with technology.”
Why you need to change your ‘tude:
To quote the folks at this design firm: “If Google can’t find it, it doesn’t exist.”
That’s the reality of our world today.
If you are unwilling to set up a website, participate in social media, and create materials that are quickly searchable (and findable) online — like a backlog of recent press releases stored on your site — or a press kit — you are going to have a tough time getting the kind of media coverage you want. Especially since Google is the number one tool the media use to find sources.
Terrified of tech? Not Betty White. Follow her lead.
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Your media role model:
Betty White.
Even at age 99 this actress, activist and product spokeswoman had a vibrant Twitter presence and showed no signs of slowing down with her career, despite her age—until her death.
Her manager joked, “Betty and I have an understanding. I have told her that I have already booked her when she turns 100 and there is no out clause. Betty never backs out of a date.”
Another role model for you:
Theresa Reed.
As a professional Tarot card reader who has been reading cards — full time — for over 25 years, Theresa has a steady stream of “regulars” and could certainly opt to “rest on her laurels.” But that’s not her style.
She is constantly learning new tools, upgrading her website, and experimenting with new ways to connect with audiences around the world (including starting three of her own podcasts). She firmly believes that all business owners need to be tech-savvy, and she even mentors “tech-phobic” entrepreneurs to help them grasp the basics.
Theresa is regularly a go-to expert on Tarot, astrology and spirituality blogs, podcasts and magazines. The secret to her success? Well, as she put it — while talking to a friend of mine — “I ain’t no stale hippie.”
Harmful Publicity Attitude #4.“I’m not the world’s most credible expert on this topic. Other people are much more experienced and authoritative than me.”
Why you need to change your ‘tude:
There will always be people who are more highly credentialed than you are. That’s a fact.
“Comparing and despairing” when you size yourself up to your competitors is very counter-productive.
Don’t compare and despair when your competitors appear on TV, podcasts, Lives or radio
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Yes, of course, there are people who might have more degrees, certifications or years of experience than you. But that doesn’t detract from your ability to serve your audience in your way, right now.
The real question is this: Do you have something to share — right now, today — that could help a fellow human solve a problem, get inspired, or lead a better life?
If so, then you’ve got the most important “credential” of all: something of VALUE to share.
Your media role model:
Gabby Bernstein.
Gabby is one of the world’s most sought-after media commentators in the realm of personal growth and spirituality.
Does she have a PhD in psychology? Nope. (She actually studied “theater” at college). Is she a Nobel Peace Prize winner like The Dalai Lama? Nope. Has she published formal, academic research papers? Nope. Has any of that ever stopped her from pursuing opportunities to write, appear, and get interviewed in the media? NOPE.
She has personal stories to share and insights that she knows will help people.
And share she does. With videos, audios, TED talks, lectures, meditations, courses, books, products, and a podcast, a spirit junkie app, and stuff she loves. And if that’s not enough you can enroll in the “Get More Gabby” subscription service. Phew!
Harmful Publicity Attitude #5.“I just don’t have time for all this stuff! Between running my business, taking care of my clients/customers, and dealing with my family… I don’t have a minute to write press releases, build relationships with journalists, maintain my website, and… ugh!”
Why you need to change your ‘tude:
Life is unquestionably busy. As a business owner, there will always be “something” pulling at your attention.
But if you want to grow to the next level, serve wider audiences, and sell more of your books, products, courses and services (without spending money on advertising), then getting featured in the media needs to be part of your plan.
As Stephen R. Covey, author of the bestselling book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People said, “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”
If getting media coverage is a priority for you (and it should be!) then it must be treated as just that: a priority.
This may mean shutting down lower-priority projects for the time being or learning how to delegate more effectively. (If you’re struggling to stay focused on the action steps that really count, this training program can help you stay on track.)
Your media role model:
President Obama.
As president he was arguably THE busiest man on planet earth — with an unthinkable level of stress resting upon his shoulders.
Yet he still created the time to write guest articles for The Huffington Post, contribute exclusive interviews to People magazine, occasionally, even tweet personal notes to his followers, and appear on TV talk shows to discuss his latest thoughts on basketball or a new bill in Congress.
Did he have a team supporting him? Of course. The point, here, is that Obama recognized the importance of making media coverage a top priority. It’s not something to ignore or neglect. It’s vital to his success as a thought leader.
Harmful Publicity Attitude #6.“I’ve never been good at public speaking. It’s just not my thing. I’m going to freeze, blush, giggle, burp, sweat, snort, forget my ‘lines’ and mess this up… somehow. I just know it.”
Why you need to change your ‘tude:
No one wants to watch a “perfect robot” on the air or listen to a “slick and polished” presentation. If you go “off script” during a media appearance, it can often work in your favor. Little flubs can be endearing and humanizing.
This is something I talk about a lot in one of my media training programs, The Zen of Fame. If you’ve got your sound bites down pat — meaning: you’ve chosen a couple of key messages that you really, really want your media audience to remember and “take home” — then it’s pretty tough to mess anything up. Just stick to your sound bites and allow yourself to relax. If you’re too slick? We want to topple you off that perfect pedestal. Be yourself. Quirks, nerves, sweats, burbs and all.
Your media role model:
Anne Hathaway.
While appearing on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to promote her film at the time — which she produced and starred in — Anne lost her composure and began laughing hysterically. Why? Because the plot of the movie (which deals with a coma victim) is so dreadfully, horrendously sad, it was actually… kind of funny.
Rather than sitting back in horror, fans LOVED it. Multiple media platforms (Vanity Fair, E! Online, US Magazine) shared the now-legendary giggle-clip, using words like “charming” and “adorable” and “utterly endearing” to describe it!
As one journalist put it: “This feels real candid. I don’t know if Anne Hathaway has ever been so likable. This is how you sell a movie, even when it’s a coma movie.”
Harmful Publicity Attitude #7.“I don’t deserve to be featured in the media. I’m ordinary. I’m not special.”
Why you need to change your ‘tude:
Let me ask you this:
Has an “ordinary” person ever given you a piece of advice that made your entire week better?
Has an “ordinary” person ever shared a resource with you that saved you tons of time or brought you hours of delight?
Has an “ordinary” friend, colleague or family member ever said something that motivated you to change an unhealthy habit and improve your life?
“Ordinary” people have the power to serve, educate, inform and inspire, just as much as rich, famous “celebrities” or “authorities” do.
If you have something of value to share — whether it’s a product, service, book, mission, cause, or day-changing tip, tool or idea — then you deserve to be in the media.
The brilliant Marianne Williamson had it right when said, “We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.”
Your media role model:
This “ordinary” mom from Sumter, South Carolina.
She recorded a video of herself singing her baby to sleep and spontaneously posted it online. When she woke up the next morning, her video had gone viral. After a radio station shared it on Facebook, it got 4 million views. TV stations started calling. She was featured on Good Morning America and the host said that this could be the big break she’s been waiting for to become a singer. This mom became — literally! — an overnight sensation.
Her voice is very pretty, yes, but the real reason that her video touched the hearts of millions of people is that… she is ordinary and heartfelt. There was no artifice in her singing. Just a mom, home, in a dimly lit room, rocking her baby to sleep, singing as if no one was watching.
Moral of the story?
Your “ordinary-ness” can be THE quality that makes you appealing to the media and to audiences, worldwide.
“Ordinary” is not the same as “boring.” You can be totally un-flashy and still wow audiences with your ideas, stories and talents.
Musician Sam Smith who has won five Grammy awards said, “I just want to say that before I made this record I was doing everything to try to get my music heard. I tried to lose weight and I was making awful music. It was only until I started to be myself that the music started to flow and the people started to listen.”
Allow yourself to be exactly who you are. We want to see your blemished self. Not a prettified version of someone you think you should be.
That’s the approach that will resonate most strongly with audiences — and get the media calling you back.
Final words:
Getting booked in the media is one thing.
Translating media attention into sales… is another.
Simply getting “interviewed,” “featured,” “quoted” or “mentioned” in the media does NOT guarantee that people are going to actually buy your program, products and services or hire you for speeches or consulting.
To accomplish that, you’ve got to have specific systems and processes in place that turn curious callers or new website visitors into paying customers.
Those systems and processes are exactly what I teach inside my training program: The Zen of Fame: Your Genius Gone Viral.
If you want to learn how to get featured in the media and use and get publicity to grow your business and brand ― while keeping your integrity intact ― this course was created for you.
The program is ongoing and you can begin your training any month, any time, and get access to all the goodies immediately. Join us here.
Rather work with me 1:1? Book a time to talk.
Book your Free ConsultationRelax.Let’s just see if we ignite together.
Zen of FameSubscribeFree ConsultCheck out our PR and Media Training Workshop to Jumpstart your Publicity
The post 7 Harmful Attitudes Blocking You From Getting Featured in the Media and Getting Great Publicity first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post 7 Harmful Attitudes Blocking You From Getting Featured in the Media and Getting Great Publicity appeared first on Susan Harrow.
SUMMARY: Learn the critical media interview mistakes to avoid to safeguard your career. From waffling during interviews to neglecting to share how you’ve helped others, these errors can tarnish your reputation. Ensure you’re prepared with concise messaging, quotes from industry leaders, and compelling stories of impact. Transform your wounds into wisdom and have well-formed opinions ready to showcase your expertise. Mastering these media strategies will enhance your media presence and speed your career trajectory.
Table of contents:* 5 Media Interview Mistakes: That Could Crucify Your Career + 1. You Waffle. + 2. You Don’t Quote Industry Leaders or Competitors. + 3. You Don’t Tell How You’ve Helped People. + 4. You Don’t Transform Your Wounds Into Wisdom. + 5. You Don’t Have Your Opinion Ready. + Avoid Media Interview Mistakes Now. 5 Media Interview Mistakes: That Could Crucify Your CareerIn this new age of social media 3.0, the media is more often searching for experts when they have the need rather than pouring over hundreds of useless press releases that don’t have information that is relevant for their audience. So even if you haven’t sent out a press release you could get that important call from the media – if you’ve positioned yourself correctly on the Internet.
On the flip side did you know that now with YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Time Machine that what you say could haunt you forever?
Once a video of you is posted or something you said shows up on the Internet there’s no way to take it back. With the advent of technology what you say will stay around in eternity and anyone can access it at any time.
This is why it is so important that you pay attention to what you say and how you say it — before you blast it out.
That’s right, your reputation, your credibility, your brand, your livelihood could disappear with one bad article or one TV appearance gone south. But it doesn’t need to be so.
Don’t make these five media interview mistakes:
1. You Waffle.Many people I media train waffle. They meander off into a tangent or blurt out a thought that just came into their head in the heat of the moment, instead of carefully planning their messages and delivering them.
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A while back I saw the movie Fair Game about the Valerie Plame story. When Plame spoke to one of her contacts overseas from whom she wanted information she was firm as a mountain, soft as breeze, fluid as water. She was never harsh, but she got her way. She knew her facts so when she spoke to one of her own team members or someone whose cooperation she wanted she quietly, but firmly repeated her request.
During a media interview you can do the same when someone asks you a question. You calmly assert your pre-rehearsed answer no matter how many different ways a reporter or host asks you a question to elicit a different response. Know what you want to say and stick to it. Stay firm as a mountain, soft as a breeze, fluid as water.
2. You Don’t Quote Industry Leaders or Competitors.It might sound counter-intuitive to quote your competition or other high-stature people in your field during a media interview, but it shows that you are on top of what’s happening in your industry.
In an Inc.com article titled 10 Tips for Giving an Important Speech by Alyssa Danigelis, anthropologist, filmmaker, and National Geographic explorer Elizabeth Lindsey said, “The more we talk about the things that matter to us, and less about our achievements, people breathe a collective sigh of relief.”
When we focus on what’s important to us in a sincere way it translates to our audience. They get it. Quote people you admire whose philosophy resonates with your own to help get your ideas across in a novel way.
They often say things that give a different point of view given we are all entangled in our own perspective. It’s a way of broadening our own views and the views of our audience.
3. You Don’t Tell How You’ve Helped People.The most potent way to persuade people to buy or buy into you or your ideas during a media interview isn’t for you to talk about your achievements but to tell a story about a person you’ve helped. I recently media coached a client who said he wasn’t a good storyteller. As a doctor, he referred to medical facts so he would be more authoritative. But the human warm fuzzy factor was a bit lacking. It’s important to use facts and stories to build trust during every media appearance. Facts alone aren’t enough. When using facts make sure to put them in their human context so you combine feeling with fact. It’s also necessary to tell stories that reveal our effectiveness human to human.
#Soundbite Tip: Tell People How You’ve Helped Others To Be More Human + Lovable.
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Facts show you have knowledge. Personal and professional stories illustrate your understanding – how you do what you do and how well your methods work. I suggested that he tell dramatic or funny stories about people who came into his office with an acute problem whom he helped recover quickly using both his doctorly intuition and the product he was promoting.
In our next media coaching session he did this beautifully in preparation for his NPR interview. Giving your audience a story about how you helped another person is the closest thing to giving them an actual experience of you.
4. You Don’t Transform Your Wounds Into Wisdom.Your hardships are the mistakes that others don’t need to make. Your wounds make you lovable. We all have an Achilles Heel.
Don’t hide it, highlight it.
Comedian Craig Ferguson said, “I think that sometimes fear is God’s way of saying, paying attention, this could be fun. I’ve learned from people who are braver than I that fear is necessary, failure is necessary. When I talk to people and they tell me how well they are or how well they are doing I think they’re crazy and they’re failing. And when I talk to people and who are telling me how they feel—I’m not saying that misery is more authentic than joy, I don’t mean that. But I do think that sometimes self-promotion can be tiresome as I sit here talkin’ about my book. Which is available reasonably priced from all good outlets.”
What I love about Ferguson is that he doesn’t wallow in any sentiment. He moves into the wound and then moves out of it with humor. And aren’t you interested in his book just from reading this one quote? I was.
5. You Don’t Have Your Opinion Ready.Thought leaders have opinions. They back their opinions with evidence or piggyback them with humor to soften a tough point of view. Have your opinion ready for your media appearances.
To become a respected thought leader spend some time every week thinking about the issues in your industry.Consider some of the trends that are happening. Formulate your thoughts. Concretize them in writing on your blog, Facebook, LinkedIn or in an article.
When a reporter who had interviewed me before called and asked me my opinion of the new Conan O’Brien Show I told her I hadn’t seen it, but I still had an opinion about it. We laughed. Then I transitioned from what I didn’t know into what I did know – which was Jon Stewart. I watched the Daily Show with Jon Stewart regularly and think he’s hilarious, smart and self-deprecating.
Even though he’s super smart he’s not a snob about it. She really wanted my comments about the future of the talk show format so I talked about that in relation to Jon Stewart. I got a paragraph at the end of her article – without knowing a thing about the topic of her piece – Conan O’Brien.
The important thing when in a media interview is to transition to what you know and make the connection so you are serving the reporter and her audience.
Folk singer Joan Baez said, “I’ve never had a humble opinion. If you’ve got an opinion, why be humble about it?” Thought leaders aren’t afraid to voice a strong opinion.
Avoid Media Interview Mistakes Now.So in the spirit of mastering your messaging you’re invited enjoy the Zen of Fame: Your Genius Gone Viral Course.
Everybody needs to speak succinctly in sound bites. They aren’t just for politicians, talking heads, or movie stars. Even if you’re not preparing for a media interview, the information in the course can help you be a better parent, leader, succinct speaker, dazzling party guest, run an effective meeting, close a deal or get venture capital.
5 Media Interview Mistakes That Could Crucify Your Career + How to Make Sure You DON’T Make Them
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Have you had a success (on TV, during a meeting, in your own living room with your kids?) Please share it!
Zen of FameSubscribeFree ConsultThe post 5 Media Interview Mistakes: That Could Crucify Your Career first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post 5 Media Interview Mistakes: That Could Crucify Your Career appeared first on Susan Harrow.
SUMMARY: Learn the art of media training for CEOs to ensure powerful and beloved communication during interviews. Craft nuanced key messages that resonate with audiences in today’s fast-paced media landscape. Embrace concise sound bites that convey your message effectively without losing depth or meaning. Practice techniques like speaking in phrases that can’t be edited and creating modular messages for different audiences and vertical markets. Foster likability and openness in your CEO’s demeanor to enhance their presence and influence in the media.
Table of contents: * Create Key Messages With Nuance That Resonate With Your Audience During Media Appearances. * Send a Clear Message That is Easy to Understand. * Deliver Concise Key Messages That the Media Can Use. * Media Training For CEOs Technique #1: Speak So You Can’t Be Edited During a Media Appearance. * Media Training For CEOs Technique #2: Create Modular Messages / Sound Bites in Media Interviews. * Media Training For CEOs Technique #3 Move People With Your Good Spirit in a TV Interview. * Media Training For CEOs Technique #4 Express Openness Which Equals Power During a Media Interview. Create Key Messages With Nuance That Resonate With Your Audience During Media Appearances.The late ABC Anchor Peter Jennings noted, “I find writing the evening news sometimes very challenging because I realize that what we’re trying to give folks in the evening is black and white when so often I want to give them gray.” That same frustration is only exacerbated these days for media, thought leaders and TV guests alike. Especially given the 24 hour news cycle where anchors and commentators are pressured to fill in every moment while the audience suffers from information overload and boredom watching the same images cycle through the screen. Bottom line: There is a place for nuance. It’s just a small place.
Send a Clear Message That is Easy to Understand.Attention spans have shrunk to the size of a Nike Swoosh. But one reason why the conservative right is so successful is that they give audiences one side and one side only. It’s simplistic, but it’s clear.
While I’m not advocating simplifying issues devoid of nuance, what I am suggesting is that to help your CEO or spokesperson learn the game that gets ink or air, you must help them develop a million-dollar tongue.
Attention spans have shrunk to the size of a Nike Swoosh. Which means you must speak concisely in any media interview
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Deliver Concise Key Messages That the Media Can Use.A large part of that involves delivering concise sound bites (key messages) the media will use.
I love poetry and nuance and subtlety. It saddens me that the place for it in the media is almost as extinct as the White Rhino. I’ve frequently said to my clients that the art of sound bites/messaging is like taking War and Peace and turning it into a haiku.
Learning to speak “sound bite” is like learning a new language. Here are some ways to do that without selling your soul (or losing your message):
The art of sound bites/messaging for a media interview is like taking War and Peace + turning it into a haiku.
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Media Training For CEOs Technique #1: Speak So You Can’t Be Edited During a Media Appearance.I media coached a former Jesuit priest for CBS’ “60 Minutes” who was protesting the sexual harassment he had endured that led him to leave the priesthood. The show was called “Is the Catholic Church Above the Law?” I played Mike Wallace. He got Morley Safer. He said the interview was easy after what I put him through. He was positioned positively. It could easily have gone the other way—except for one thing: When I taught him to only speak phrases that couldn’t be truncated and spliced to change his meaning, the six hours of taping that was edited down to five minutes turned in his favor.
Does this take lots of practice? Yes. But it can be done. And CEO media training is the quickest way to get there. The harder you are on your CEO or spokesperson, the better it is for them. Better you making them sweat and swear than Mike Wallace. By the way, the case went all the way to the Supreme Court and he won.
Media Training For CEOs Technique #2: Create Modular Messages / Sound Bites in Media Interviews.I was media coaching a CEO of an up-and-coming company positioning itself to go public. The company was targeting business shows on MSN, CBS, CNN and wanted to attract investors. We created sound bites to include facts about the company’s financial well being, about the internal health of the company and employee happiness, and the ways that they were innovators in their field. Plus the company was growing fast, adding new stores nationwide at record speed, while staying in the black.
We took those same stories and angled them for the company’s other two audiences: consumers and trade. And we worked the CEO’s passion for fly-fishing into the mix, which brought out his sweetness.
PRO TIP: Work with your CEO or spokesperson not to memorize talking points, but to make them modular—to flex their ideas into different shapes and sizes for different audiences. Make them human and lovable by establishing some key stories about their personal life, which exemplify how well they lead their people—which is what we really want to see. We need more leaders and fewer protectors of the bottom line.
Make your sound bites/messaging modular for a media interview so you can flex them into different shapes and sizes for different audiences
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Media Training For CEOs Technique #3 Move People With Your Good Spirit in a TV Interview.Words are less important than you think, likability more. In the Gallup poll taken during each presidential election since 1960, the candidate who scored highest in the likability category has won every election.
Making your CEO likable is crucial to their success in the media.
I was working with a CEO of a popular magazine who had a brilliant mind, was a talented athlete, but wooden.
As soon as I encouraged him to speak of his youngest daughter, his whole demeanor softened. His VP of PR cooed, “Oh, you just got soooo handsome.” It was true.
Once I coached him to speak from that place of the pride and love he had in his daughter he could talk about the difficult situation in his industry that directly impacted his magazine—formerly a stumbling block—with ease and grace.
Media Training For CEOs Technique #4 Express Openness Which Equals Power During a Media Interview.The more open your CEO or spokesperson is, the more powerful they are. Practice having them remain open and loving when you grill them with tough questions.
The more open your CEO or spokesperson is, the more powerful they are during a media interview.
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That may sound ridiculous, but when we speak as if we were addressing a beloved child it’s pretty hard for the media to retaliate with the same vehemence than toward a person holding a sword ready to strike.
Spending time with your CEO or spokesperson to hone their sound bites, body and facial language to suit any situation will help make rich poetry in troubled times.
Zen of FameSubscribeFree ConsultThe post Media Training for CEOs: How to Be Powerful + Beloved first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post Media Training for CEOs: How to Be Powerful + Beloved appeared first on Susan Harrow.
SUMMARY: Release your fears and excel in media interviews by rehearsing worst-case scenarios. Through aggressive, assertive and overly intimate questioning in coaching sessions, clients learn to remain composed and handle difficult situations effectively. Just as facing fears in cognitive behavioral therapy lessens their impact, media coaching helps neutralize anxieties. Embrace storytelling and avoid excessive promotion to engage audiences authentically and effectively. Ultimately, letting go of fears enables you to deliver valuable information with ease and confidence.
Table of contents: * Rehearse Your Worst Fears to Be a Great Media Interview + 1. Set Your Intention. + 2. Tell a Good Story. + 3. Don't Be Overly Promotional. + More info: Rehearse Your Worst Fears to Be a Great Media InterviewDuring in-person or online media coaching sessions I leer, I snipe, I antagonize, I attack. This is in service to my clients and workshop participants so they can rehearse their worst fears to be a great media interview.
The first time I played the aggressive interviewer to a volunteer in a live seminar, she shrank back in her chair in fear. She grabbed her gut. She said, “I’m afraid of you now.”
I asked her to hang in there while I let loose my aggressive questions over and over again. Her job was just to remain calm, she didn’t need to say anything. After the fifth time, she said, “That wasn’t so bad.”
Oftentimes people hire me to media coach them after a similar frightening experience with the media – except it’s a real interview and they do need to respond.
Just the other day I took on the role of a disrespectful man during a media interview with my client, an accomplished millennial woman of color who had vast corporate experience dealing with a wide range of men of varied ages and ethnicities. Yet, I got under her skin and she took a bit of a snarky attitude at my jibing. When we debriefed she said she forgot it was me and pictured me as an a-hole white male and she saw that she needed to work on not getting triggered. We’ll keep practicing this “type” until she can manage her internal responses and reactions more skillfully.
Of course most of the time no one will be demeaning or shrieking at you. But it’s often not about the words, but the tone, the energy and the force that is scary. It activates the experience or trauma that is connected to the current circumstance that needs to shift internally as well as externally.
I heard an interview with New York Times reporter Bruce Weber discussing “The little-known world of “foul balls and face masks” on the NPR radio show Fresh Air with Terry Gross. For three years, Weber trained to be a baseball umpire at umpire school. He said he was terrified that he’d be hit in the face with a high-speed ball, even though he was wearing a face mask.
To help him get over his fear his instructor threw the ball at his head. After five times the fear started to lessen, by the fifteenth time it had dissipated and he had gotten over his fear.
Leading psychologists and psychiatrists work with their patients using cognitive behavioral therapy by repetitively exposing them to the fear so it eventually lessens or neutralizes it.
It’s the same with media coaching. Going through the visceral experience will help dispel any fears. Often my clients want to start with what they fear most – because either they’ve experienced their worst fear, or because it’s looming.
Everyone fears or wants to avoid something. Even the most experienced media guest. So practice the questions you DON’T want to be asked to get them off the table so you can focus on your true purpose….
1. Set Your Intention.Ask yourself two key questions: What do I want my audience to know now? How can I help them? No one cares about your business, book, product, service or cause…until they see how it relates to something they need.
2. Tell a Good Story.I had one client who spoke like a professor teaching a class based entirely on theory with no practical tips, stories, or anything that might engage a person at an emotional or visceral level. We worked on finding personal anecdotes that her audiences could relate to.
When I asked a recent client who sought me out to prep him for a job interview at an exclusive restaurant to tell me how he handled a disastrous or potentially disastrous situation he said to me, “Have you ever broken a cork on a $3000 bottle of wine? I have.” Then he told me how he calmly dealt with the situation without anyone at the table being any wiser. Every story starts out with a headline that makes you snap to attention. What follows should be equally riveting.
3. Don’t Be Overly Promotional.While one of the essential things I teach is how to seamlessly integrate the information you want your audience to know about your product, service or cause into the conversation, don’t overdo it. Radio, TV and podcast producers and hosts biggest fear – after a guest being boring – is that they’ll be overly promotional.
I was on a radio show with a panel of people who were all famous in their own right. One person was obviously a very experienced media guest, but every single time she shared information she interjected something about herself, her credentials, her business and her services. Enough already. Although what she had to say was valuable I found myself recoiling from what felt like being drilled without respite.
The most important thing in an interview is to be natural while you’re interesting.
Letting go of your fears is a process that allows you to relax while you’re giving good information that people can use and enjoy.
More info:To learn more about how to develop sound bites that sing here.
Zen of FameSubscribeFree ConsultThe post Rehearse Your Worst Fears to Be a Great Media Interview first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post Rehearse Your Worst Fears to Be a Great Media Interview appeared first on Susan Harrow.
SUMMARY: Avoid career-damaging PR mistakes by learning from the experiences of others. From ineffective pitches to lack of media training, these errors can be easily prevented with proper preparation and strategy. By focusing on serving the media’s and your audiences’ needs and delivering meaningful stories, you can build a strong reputation and sidestep costly missteps. Embrace media coaching to master the art of delivering engaging interviews and ensure success in your PR endeavors.
Table of contents: * PR Mistakes Can Cost You Everything. * 1. You Blast Out a Pitch or Press Release Shouting About the Greatness of Your Business, Book, Product, Service or Cause. * 2. You Send a Huge Email Blast to the Most Media Possible. * 3. You're Not Media Ready or Need Media Training. * 4. You're Not Prepared to Do All the Work Necessary to Secure the Media Booking. * 5. You Don't Deliver What You Promise. PR Mistakes Can Cost You Everything.What if I told you that PR done poorly could destroy your business overnight? That’s right, your reputation, your credibility, your brand, your livelihood could disappear with one inaccurate article, one insensitive social media post, one misspoken phrase in a podcast, one TV appearance gone south.
Here are “Five Worst PR Mistakes in Building Your Business” that most people make, but you don’t have to.
1. You Blast Out a Pitch or Press Release Shouting About the Greatness of Your Business, Book, Product, Service or Cause.We all focus on what’s important to US and what WE want others to know. But the media only want to know how they can serve their audiences, not how their audiences can help you.
In the spirit of service, tell them about all the great solutions you have to their public’s biggest pain or problems, and you’ve got yourself a pitch or press release that will get read and a story that will be told.
The media and their public aren’t interested in you, your service or your stuff. They are interested in a good story or something that gives them what they need that can help them save time, energy, or money. Even though I tell this to people all the time, they still don’t seem to get it. It seems to be a hard concept to grasp and is an easy PR faux pas to fix.
Tell the media about all the great solutions you have to the public’s biggest problems + you’ve got yourself a story that will get told.
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2. You Send a Huge Email Blast to the Most Media Possible.Sending a huge blast without carefully curating and tailoring a contact list can put you on the proverbial “Do Not Call” list. We call this “spray and pray.” Instead, before you send out your release clearly identify who is best suited to your offering and the journalists and producers most interested in your topic.
To accomplish this, you can either become a member of a press release service that can help you segment your media list properly, hire a publicist who understands your business and the media who would be best for you, or learn how to manage a media list yourself. Then judiciously send to the right people so they don’t ban you from their inbox or ask to be taken off your list (big PR mistake!)
3. You’re Not Media Ready or Need Media Training.Most people never get media coached. They don’t think they need it. Their logic is that everyone can talk. This PR mistake is the equivalent of saying that because you know how to read you also have the skills to write. Learning to get your message out in any circumstance with any host’s personality and speak in sound bites is a special skill very different than public speaking or casually chatting about what you do.
It’s often the missing link in an otherwise successful PR campaign. Many people slave for years creating and promoting an excellent business, service or product, but then forget the most crucial step to gaining loyalty from the people they want as clients or customers—what they are going to say on the spot to engage them.
Media pioneer Marshall McLuhan said, “The medium is the message.” This is still true today. And to go even deeper Gandhi said, “My life is my message.” In today’s fast paced world you and your story are often even more important than whatever you’re promoting.
You need to convey meaning that inspires people to buy into whatever you’re promoting, in a relaxed + conversational way, while being authentic + true to yourself.
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In 10-30 seconds at a time you need to be able to convey meaning that inspires people to buy or buy into whatever you are promoting. It does take practice to get comfortable, and there is a system to shortcut that process to becoming relaxed and conversational while being authentic and true to yourself during a media interview.
4. You’re Not Prepared to Do All the Work Necessary to Secure the Media Booking.Producers and journalists expect you to respond ASAP when they ask you for materials when they’re putting together a show or a print/online story.
So, you need to allow time in your schedule to hurry up and get whatever is asked for in an instant. It can be weeks of work, but if you’re prepared ahead of time it can reduce the rush factor and make you stand out from all your competitors vying for the same coveted media spots. Once you understand the most common press kit components and how to create them to the media’s specifications you’ll be half-way there to becoming an excellent, reliable media source.
5. You Don’t Deliver What You Promise.While there is a lot of worthless blither getting attention in the media today—people with minimal talent and maximum ego, fighting for their 5 minutes of fame, the more nationally respected the publication or show, the more professional and prepared you need to be.
Producers and journalists have to paw through thousands of potential news items every day from people trying to get publicity—most of which is worthless to them. When the media determines that those they believe might be right to fill their need, the person, unaccustomed to such requests, doesn’t follow through in a professional and timely manner with appropriate materials.
Most people don’t have a sense of the tremendous amount of work that goes into creating a show or an article BEHIND the scenes to make sure audiences stay tuned or keep reading in today’s competitive marketplace.
Once you’re booked on a show or for an interview that’s often when the real work begins. You have to give the journalist or producer news that they can use in a way that is packaged properly. To be “mediagenic” means that both you and your product are understood instantly to the public without jargon. There’s a lot of preparation even beyond what I’ve covered here, that goes on behind the scenes to make your publicity campaign run smoothly and avoid PR mistakes.
If you’d like to go deeper…
I’ve turned that knowledge and the most important nuggets in my book, Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul into one of section of a 3 part self-paced-course. Publisher’s Weekly called my bestselling book a “Rumi-meets-Seth Godin public relations handbook.” Hundreds of my readers call it their “Publicity Bible.”
Or if you’re keen on exploring 1:1 expert media training tap the free consult button below.
Zen of FameSubscribeFree ConsultThe post The 5 Worst PR Mistakes That Could Cripple Your Career (And How To Prevent That!) first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post The 5 Worst PR Mistakes That Could Cripple Your Career (And How To Prevent That!) appeared first on Susan Harrow.
Elevate Your Media Presence: Expert Tips to Avoid Soundbite BlundersSUMMARY: Learn expert tips to avoid soundbite blunders and improve your media presence. Craft a concise, tailored introduction to control your bio and the narrative before stepping in front of the camera or microphone. Ensure your message is concise and precise, focusing on six essential points to cater to different mediums. Engage your audience with demonstrations and support your ideas with compelling facts and statistics. Take control of your media appearances and make a lasting impact on your audience.
Table of contents: * 1. Craft Your Introduction: A Soundbite Opportunity For Your Short Bio * 2. Note the Essentials of a Bio For Your Media Appearance. * 3. Avoid Meandering Meaninglessly. * 4. Demonstrate So You Don't Deviate. * 5. Support Opinions or Ideas with Facts. 1. Craft Your Introduction: A Soundbite Opportunity For Your Short Bio Before you even step in front of the camera or microphone for a podcast, presentation, TV or radio show, your bio plays a crucial role. It’s often the first impression you make on your audience.
Many people leave this introduction up to the TV or radio host and that’s their first mistake. Take control by crafting a concise, two to four-line bio tailored to the topic you’ll discuss.
Controlling the public’s perception of you begins with the bio. Even if you have hired a publicist, this job is still yours as your publicist won’t have the time for this level of detail.
Your bio is the first introduction to you and it’s your first soundbite—even though you’re not the one to say it.
One of the most validating ways to be taken seriously by the media is by researching statistics that support your views + to quote them accurately.
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Most people don’t know that each subject you pitch to the media deserves its own bio. This approach ensures you’re perceived accurately. Tailoring your bio deepens your credibility no matter what your profession or title.
- Note the Essentials of a Bio For Your Media Appearance.Your bio should be two to four lines and specifically tailored to the topic you’ll be discussing. I highly suggest that you create bios for every single subject you pitch to the media.
One of my clients didn’t have time to do this when she dashed into the studio to comment on breaking news for a major network. The result? She was labeled a psychologist because she had a “PhD” after her name. She was not a psychologist or therapist, but a wellness expert. Not the end of the world, but a blip in her branding.
On the positive side, another one of my clients who is an expert in Huna, the ancient science of Hawaiian wisdom passed down to modern day through a lineage, developed several separate bios. There are many different aspects of Huna, one of which is Ho’oponopono, The Hawaiian Code of Forgiveness.
When he was speaking directly about this aspect of Huna, his bio reflected that focus. When the angle was about mental infidelity, cheating in your head, his bio emphasized his experience in dealing with the thousands of people in his seminars seeking loving, long-lasting, rewarding and hot relationships.
When you angle your bio to your expertise within a given niche you deepen your credibility.
Create bios for every subject that you could possibly pitch to the Media so that they are always targeted.
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3. Avoid Meandering Meaninglessly.Don’t squander time. Your message must be concise and precise. You have a precious few minutes to convey your essential messages to people who have nano attention spans. Writer Vladimir Nabokov said, “Caress the divine details.” It’s your job to first discover the details that matter and then sort out what is divine from the worldly dross of all that you know.
The problem most people have is not knowing too little, but knowing too much and then choosing what is relevant to the audience they are speaking to. That can differ widely in all the media mediums. Instead of overwhelming your audience with too much information, create a core of six essential messages. Then, adapt and condense these messages to cater to your specific audience.
Work on expanding and contracting them so they work for all the different communication mediums. This takes enormous skill and practice and is essential for effective communication so your media appearances have real results and impact your ROI.
4. Demonstrate So You Don’t Deviate.Talking heads on TV shows get dull. In the visual medium of television, actions speak louder than words. Incorporate props, movement, and demonstrations whenever possible to engage your audience. Whenever you can prove a point by demonstration it increases its effectiveness for several reasons.
You’re getting the host involved physically, and research shows that when two people who are interacting with each other are in motion, not only do they remember better and learn more, but they feel more connected. Marci Shimoff, author of Happy For No Reason, and one of the teachers in the DVD The Secret did this exceptionally well in her NBC’s The Today Show appearance.
Marci asked The Today Show host Meredith Vieira to put her arm straight out to her side and pushed down on it. This is called “muscle testing.” It was strong and stayed in the same position. Then she asked Meredith to say “I’m not good enough” three times. When Marci pushed on Meredith’s arm it went right down, Meredith couldn’t keep it out straight and strong.
In the virtual medium of television actions speak louder that words, incorporate Props + Movement +Demonstrations where possible to engage your audience.
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Finally, she asked Meredith to say “I’m good enough” three times. Meredith’s arm stayed out straight and strong even with Marci pushing on it hard. Marci’s point? Negative thoughts and words weaken us. Strong thoughts and words strengthen us.
Marci Shimoff was an excellent guest. Well rehearsed yet natural and engaging.
5. Support Opinions or Ideas with Facts.The whole focus of NBC’s The Today Show appearance for Marci Shimoff was not “about” her book, but about a trend in the American culture. Marci stated that we have an “epidemic of unhappiness.” She backed up that strong statement with the fact that 1 in every 5 women are on antidepressants. And 30% of the people report being deeply unhappy. In addition, Americans have 60,000 thoughts per day, 80% of which are negative. This data is startling and Marci delivered it in a warm yet precise manner, with no hype.
One of the most validating ways to be taken seriously is to research statistics that support your views and quote them accurately. To gain even greater credibility, do original survey studies yourself. If this is a possibility for you, you’ll be an outstanding source. The media are always looking for new data on fresh and old ideas.
If you’re ready to make this your year of building your business and brand with media appearances and want personal media training from me, please let me know a bit about what you want to accomplish.
Zen of FameSubscribeFree ConsultThe post Elevate Your Media Presence: Expert Tips to Avoid Soundbite Blunders first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post Elevate Your Media Presence: Expert Tips to Avoid Soundbite Blunders appeared first on Susan Harrow.
SUMMARY: Learn five strategies to physically prepare for a TV interview and overcome appearance-related anxieties. Clear your mind with Bulletproof coffee for peak cognitive function. Slim down with T-Tapp exercises and tone up with the Flexbelt for a more confident appearance. Release fears with the Sedona Method and energize with a nourishing green smoothie. By focusing on your physical and mental well-being, you can confidently deliver your message during media appearances.
Table of contents: * 5 Strategies to Physically Prepare For a TV Interview–My Personal Secrets + 1. Clear Your Mind to Prepare for a Media Interview. + 2. Slim Down to Prepare for a Media Interview. + 3. Tone Up to Prepare for a TV Interview. + 4. Release Your Fears to Prepare for a TV Interview. + 5. Energize to Prepare for a TV Interview! + Ingredients for My Nourishing Green Smoothie 5 Strategies to Physically Prepare For a TV Interview–My Personal SecretsI need to lose 20 pounds. I wish I had less wrinkles. My butt is too big. Look at my wobbly double chin. She’s a liar. I don’t believe a word she’s said. What a schlump. Is that any way to sit in a chair? I’m an imposter. Does this tie make me look like an idiot? I’ve lost my confidence. I don’t know how I imagined I could ever do a TEDx talk or be a thought leader.
These are actual phrases that clients said to me in the past 33 years I’ve been a media trainer, marketing strategist and former publicist. When I media train my clients for TV shows most of them first fret about their appearance.
A messaging strategy and sound bites take a back seat to clothes, expressions, body language and butt size. Shame, fear, insecurity, all rear right up.
The question, “What will people think of me?” takes center stage.
And rightly so. Research on what’s called “Thin Slicing,” shows that rather than 7 seconds, audience has already decided whether they like, trust, respect, believe, and will buy from in the blink of an eye. So how much of what people think of you has to do with your clothes, hair, make-up, facial language, body language, and demeanor as well as the look and feel of you?
A lot.
But here’s the silver lining. People follow your lead. If you feel like a slouch you’re directing people to think you are one. If you radiate beauty and good health even while toting extra pounds, we may notice your heft, but we forgive it for your verve.
And while I know that a TV appearance isn’t going to help you get over your childhood issues any faster, there are still strategies that can help you be fabulicious, increase your business, and stop thinking so much about your butt.
But, because the question I get most is about looks, I’m going to address how to prepare now, in advance, BEFORE you get booked on TV so you’ll feel your Fabulicious best when your day in the sun arrives.
No scrambling for clothes that don’t accentuate your best features. No last minute panic about how you look. You can’t lose 20 pounds overnight but you can focus your full attention on what you can give your audience that only you can. In the brief time you have – two to four minutes – on Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNN, MSNBC, The Kelly Clarkson Show, or Fox, you can deliver your core messages with generosity and wit.
During a TV interview the audience decides whether they like, trust, respect, believe, + will buy from you in the blink of an eye, so you want to make a good impression right away.
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1. Clear Your Mind to Prepare for a Media Interview.Drink Bulletproof coffee.**** I start every morning with a variation of this special coffee combined with unsalted Kerrygold grassfed butter, MCT oil and collagen. This combo was created by Dave Asprey who bio-hacked his body to lose 250 pounds and gain optimal health. This is potent coffee that is organic and doesn’t contain any toxins normally found in commercial coffees. You combine the coffee with MCT oil (which is fat-burning) that is 12x stronger than coconut oil, for maximum cognitive function.
In English that means peak brain performance – a clear mind. Asprey says that you can, “Learn to be perfectly focused in any situation — in one week.” He says, “In this protocol, you eat no protein and no carbs at all in the morning, instead enjoying a Bulletproof Coffee. That provides the most energy and the least hunger for about eight hours. Adding in the collagen “delivers low inflammation, high quality, and heat stable protein to my coffee without affecting the taste.”
Insider Secret: Add this one ingredient to your coffee to help clear your mind + prepare for your media interviews.
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The butter became a bit rich for me so I ditched it and in it’s place added in a generous scoop of a superfood blend of 8 different mushrooms from a wonderful company called Malama Mushrooms that gives back to the community. These adaptogens assist cognitive function as well as help you feel relaxed and alert.
According to Tim Ferriss, author of, The 4 Hour Body, eating protein within 30 minutes of waking up is essential for losing weight. Even if you don’t want to lose weight, this coffee will sustain and nourish you while giving you clarity of thought. Exactly what you need in a media pressure cooker situation.
Yes, there is decaf as well, however I didn’t find the same effects with it. And since I’m sensitive to caffeine I combine half decaf with half caf beans – just so I could drink more of the delicious stuff. Otherwise I could just have one tiny cupful. (And I wasn’t a coffee drinker at all before this. Green tea was my go to morning drink, which I still enjoy after I have my Bulletproof coffee).
You’ll be the judge of how much you can drink without getting a buzz on. I suggest you sip a small cup and wait fifteen minutes so you can judge the effects. Also, add as much butter as you like. I admit I was first horrified at the thought of dumping a half stick of butter into my coffee. I thought it would taste disgusting. But it’s like putting cream on steroids, rich and smooth. You’ll discover what works best for you.
2. Slim Down to Prepare for a Media Interview.Do T-Tapp and Lose 2 Dress or Pant Sizes in 30 Days.
You’re a month away from a smaller, more toned you. I went from a size 8 to a size 6 in a month (I’m now a size 4), Lisa Earle McLeod, an expert in helping companies name and claim their noble purpose, lost 2 dress sizes and got back the flat tummy she hasn’t had for 10 years. Teresa Tapp (who sadly passed away suddenly) first created this program for models to get back into shape after pregnancy. No one cared about their weight. What mattered was size – so they could fit into the proper clothes that they were modeling. Tapp says it’s all about the inches and loving what you see in the mirror —not what the scale says.
If you’ve got a media appearance coming up and you want to get in tip top (T-Tapp) shape ASAP this is the ticket.
My sweetie is doing it in the living room right now. Yes, it works for men too.
3. Tone Up to Prepare for a TV Interview.Want to know the Hollywood stars secret to looking great, staying fit and getting a flat stomach fast without exercise? The Flexbelt.Essentially you strap the Flexbelt around you waist and it contracts your muscles like you’re doing sit-ups — while you’re walking around getting stuff done.
We all know that the camera adds 10 pounds to your weight. Learn the Hollywood secret to getting into shape fast so that you shine in your TV interviews.
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I put it on first thing in the morning before I brush my teeth, feed the cats, start my day. I use the butt and thigh belt too and also the Flexbelt for the arms. The great thing about the Flexbelt is once it’s on you can just go about your business so you’re getting a workout while you’re answering your email, talking to clients, working in the yard. Do it daily for a few weeks and then 2-3 times per week or as needed. Once you get in the habit it’s simple to stay in shape.
4. Release Your Fears to Prepare for a TV Interview.*The Sedona Method* is one of the fastest, simplest and most effective methods to instantly release uncomfortable or unwanted feelings on the spot. It’s also a tool to let go of current or long-standing pain. Whether it’s fear of speaking, becoming a more public person, losing weight, or letting go of stress, or past issues or trauma, this will help you achieve your goals effortlessly and with great joy. It also works to get to the root of physical and emotional pain.
I learned these techniques long ago when Hale Dwoskin, founder of Sedona Training Associates, was a client, and still use them daily. They’re a great help during media training role-play so my clients can stay centered and grounded when the host or journalist springs a surprise question.
I particularly like the technique of going back and forth between opposite extremes to neutralize forceful feelings – just one of the things you’ll learn and keep using as long as it serves you. Their courses are helpful trainings if you’re getting ready to go on a media tour or preparing for any type of media interview.
5. Energize to Prepare for a TV Interview!Swirl up a green smoothie.
This is my own special green drink smoothie recipe that helps make your skin gloriously golden and nourishes you at a cellular level. You’ll see a noticeable difference in your skin, vibrancy, and energy almost immediately.
I use all organic ingredients and buy from the local farmer’s market when I can and mix this up in the Vitamix that chops every part of the fruits and vegetables so you get the most nutrition. We grow chard, cilantro and parsley so I dash out into the garden to snip a few leaves before the birds and other animals get them (which is often).
I pick dandelions from the neighbor’s lawns and look for the tender, young ones without a stiff stem. You can buy dandelions at your local market if you don’t want to ferret them out.
As a child when we’d visit my nana and grampa they’d send us kids out into the yard to pick dandelions to put in the salad to give it some bite. According to the USDA Bulletin #8, “Composition of Foods” (Haytowitz and Matthews 1984), dandelions rank in the top 4 green vegetables in overall nutritional value. Who knew a weed could be so nutritious?
Ingredients for My Nourishing Green Smoothie* ½ cup water or unsweetened coconut water (or more as needed depending on how thick and sweet you like it) * ½ cup virgin olive oil (I do 15 glugs vs. measuring). * 1 frozen block of Acai * 1 pear * 1 frozen banana * 1 large sweet apple (I like Pink Ladies, Yellow Golden Delicious or Fuji) * 1 large carrot * 1 large avocado
Mix together.
Tamp down these ingredients into the above mixture before you restart the Vitamix.
- 3 generous handfuls of spinach
- 2-3 large leaves of chard with the stalks (to taste as this can make it bitter)
- 2 sprigs of parsley
- 2 sprigs of cilantro
- 5 leaves of dandelion
- 1 stalk celery
Optional: Add frozen blueberries for added anti-aging benefits. Adjust the sweetness to taste by adding more fruit or unsweetened coconut water.
We’ve concentrated on honing and toning your face and body in order to move you to a place where you’re not worrying about how you look so you can focus on what matters most – your message. Victor Hugo said, “Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.”
Audiences look for consistency in your message and in your life. One of my clients is a well-known motivational speaker who naturally also talked about health and wellness as well as the process of transforming the mind. But one thing was out of synch.
In his own words: he was fat.
In a kind and considerate way his wife pointed out the discrepancy. So he created an exercise and diet regime for himself. It wasn’t easy as he loved apple pie and ice cream and didn’t care much for lifting weights. But he did it. So now the overall message he’s conveying is consistent with his teaching.
Take what works for you from these strategies so you can feel good inside and out.
The French have an expression, “Bien dans sa peau,” to feel good in your own skin or to be at ease with yourself. When you’re relaxed, centered and calm we’re right there with you.
Zen of FameSubscribeFree ConsultThe post 5 Strategies to Physically Prepare For a TV Interview–My Personal Secrets first appeared on Susan Harrow.The post 5 Strategies to Physically Prepare For a TV Interview–My Personal Secrets appeared first on Susan Harrow.
I haven’t seen much to applaud in the current administration or the recent presidential debates. So I thought I’d harken back to the Obama White House PR campaign strategy for some ideas you can apply to your own publicity campaign. 1. Define your image as a thought leader. While I don’t particularly like the word…
The post Barack Obama’s Campaign Strategy: How you can apply his PR techniques to your publicity campaign first appeared on Susan Harrow.
I was talking to my neighbor next door who works for a famous matchmaking firm. She’s a warm and cozy person who people feel comfortable with right away. She has a knack for putting people at ease — including celebrities, princesses and the rich beyond imagination, who are her clients. Want to listen to this…
The post Media (Love) Coaching for Matchmaking first appeared on Susan Harrow.
Guest Blog post As a PR professional, knowing how to dress for media appearances is of utmost importance. There are few departments who represent a company more directly then the PR team themselves. Though preparing yourself for an appearance with the media can be a bit stressful in the beginning, creating your wardrobe is essential.…
The post Media Appearances: Your Guide to PR Professional Dress first appeared on Susan Harrow.
Lots of people call me who want to get on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox and Friends, The View, MSNBC and more. Most don’t know that if they create the entire segment they have a better chance of becoming a guest on a national TV show. If they can envision the show, map…
The post Create a TV Pitch Letter and Get on National TV first appeared on Susan Harrow.
Develop your essential talking points / sound bites so you can easily incorporate them into your work and media appearances to grow your business fast.
The post Media coaching to get chosen for a media appearance or commercial first appeared on Susan Harrow.
Although she’s known as an engaging speaker, trainer, author, and executive coach, Kimberly (Kim) Faith, was still terrified to be on TV. But she did it anyway. And to see her you wouldn’t know she was fearful or nervous. Watch her here on a major market live TV show in Seattle. Prepare to be encouraged!…
The post Feel afraid of appearing on TV? Read this first appeared on Susan Harrow.
I had a big slump in my writing group. For a year. I’d put pen to paper in a beautiful journal and out would pour — drivel. Sometimes I’d write to get all the minutae out of my head. Other times I’d write a list. But the end “result” was nothing of consequence. I mentioned…
The post Love Your Drivel first appeared on Susan Harrow.
The post How Not To Be Overly Critical Of Your Media Appearance first appeared on Susan Harrow.
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The post Bravery in Small Bits first appeared on Susan Harrow.
Share your story & get a prize! For… The Life Changing Magic of Speaking Up™ Can you think of a time when you spoke up and it changed your life — or someone else’s life — for the better? Maybe you saw a classmate bullying someone on the schoolyard and you spoke up and said, “Back…
The post The Life Changing Magic of Speaking Up – A Story Contest first appeared on Susan Harrow.