Core Skills From Media Training

I’m usually the guy standing just off-camera, coaching the spokesperson: “Relax your shoulders.” “Don’t overexplain.” “You’ve got 90 seconds—use them wisely.” But yesterday? I was on the other side of the lens—being interviewed by the superb team at Jewish Federations of North America about our advocacy work on Capitol Hill. And let me tell you: Giving media training is easier than doing it yourself. Here’s 10 Tips for Nailing a Media Interview (from someone who usually gives the advice, and just had to eat his own cooking): 1. Don’t look at the camera. Look at the interviewer. The camera’s not your best friend—it’s your static stalker. 😉 2. Be animated, not theatrical. Hand gestures = good. Mime performance = not good. 3. Speak like you’re talking to a smart eighth grader. Clear, short sentences. Then stop. Let the soundbite breathe. 4. Dress for clarity. Solid colors. No stripes, no logos, no hypnotic polka dots. 5. Over-enunciate slightly. TV eats consonants. Add a touch of drama without sounding like you’re auditioning for Shakespeare in the Park. 6. Never repeat a negative. Q: “Isn’t your program a total failure?” ❌ A: “I don’t think we’re a total failure, no.” ✅ A: “I wouldn’t characterize it that way, here’s what we’ve seen work, and why it matters.” 7. If you don’t know, say so. “Let me confirm the data and circle back.” A confident deferral beats a wobbly bluff. 8. Know your message and ‘headlines’ If you don’t know your 3 key points going in, you’re just riffing—and that’s a gamble. 9. No bobblehead mode. Eye contact is good. Wide-eyed blinking and constant nodding? Distracting. 10. Breathe. You’ll think it’s a sprint. It’s actually a slow-motion obstacle course. Stay grounded. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - So here’s to all the advisors, coaches and comms pros who sit behind the camera. Once in a while, it’s worth stepping into the spotlight. Even when it’s awkward (it was)! Even if your shoes are Hokas because you walked 15K steps nursing a broken foot. Even if your inner monologue is screaming. You’ll be fine. You’ve trained for this. Literally. What quick media interviewing tips would you add here? ** If you or your team need some urgent care style speaker and talking point prep, drop me a DM or email anytime. **

Recent work and world events have convinced me that practically everything you say and do as a leader must be thought of as a "media" appearance. It's likely that your video meeting is being recorded for playback. You're in a small box, competing with multi-taskers and so you must heighten your voice, expressions, and body language to convey energy and hold interest. And if you're speaking while sharing your screen, you're in an even smaller box! Think about it: Every audience member is in possession of a video and audio recording device. Almost every meeting is recorded and transcribed. Even if you can't see the device, you should proceed as if you are being audio recorded. So, speak as you were trained to do in media appearances: 👄 Use vocal variety: Vary pace (fast & slow), pitch (high & low), pause, power (volume), placement (where in the body) 👋 Use your hands so they are visible on the screen. Put down your pen and your notes! 👀 Use your eyes and eyebrows to convey emotion. 💬 Speak in short sentences that are easily editable on the periods. 🌍 To the extent possible, provide context in each sentence. 🌉 When answering questions, don't repeat negatives. i.e., Not, "No, we're not disappointed" but rather, "We're very happy that..." And, use bridging language to return to the message you want to deliver. i.e., "Let's go directly to our solution..." 🌟 Use highlighting language, such as, "The most important thing to know is..." and "The real issue is..." 👓 If you are going to read your notes, print on only the top 2/3rds of the page so you are not looking down and losing eye contact with the audience. #leadershipcommunication #presentationskills #mediaskills

Media training 101. Steal this cheat sheet👇 1. Get comfortable, fast. Interviews can be nerve-wracking. It helps to loosen up, so laugh, move around, and shake off the tension. When you’re relaxed, you show up stronger. 2. Know how you might be cast. In every story, you’re playing a role—maybe the hero, maybe the underdog, maybe the villain. Understanding how the media frames people helps you stay one step ahead. 3. Learn the four power moves. You don’t have to answer every question directly. Here’s how to take control: Bridging: Shift from their question to your message. Blocking: Politely avoid answering what you shouldn’t. Flagging: Call attention to your key point. Hooking: Tease something interesting to guide the next question. 4. Don’t get tripped up on the little things. Solid colors. Hands out of pockets. Sit forward. Don’t repeat negative questions. Small habits speak loudly on camera. 5. Watch what NOT to do. Cringe-worthy videos are gold. You’ll remember what went wrong and how to avoid it. Laugh a little, then learn a lot. 6. Expect a pop quiz. It won’t be hard, but it’ll make the lessons stick. You’re not being tested; you’re getting sharper. 7. Get real on-camera reps. This is where it counts. Real lights, real mics, real pressure. Practice handling tough, even unfair, questions, because that’s how it sometimes goes. 8. Watch yourself back. Yes, it’s awkward. Yes, it’s worth it. Seeing how you show up on screen helps you adjust and grow fast. (And I promise, your voice is fine.) 9. Keep practicing. One session isn’t enough. The best communicators rehearse regularly... even the pros. Especially the pros. And remember: “FAIL” just means First Attempt In Learning. You’ve got this.

Good media training is not about memorizing and reciting inauthentic, canned, copy points. A good media trainer will coach you on the art of the interview, and staying in the moment, not robotic scripts. They should cover things like: -Providing an authentic, effective answer that stays on message -Pivoting from off-topic questions back to the heart of the interview -Drawing attention to the key points that you want to emphasize -Staying in the moment and avoiding an out-of-body feeling while being interviewed -Making a concise point and then stopping to allow for more time for more questions (...if that's indeed a goal, which sometime it absolutely is not) -Remembering that nothing is off the record -Taking a second to pause and collect a thought after being asked a question -Turning a one-time interview opportunity into a longer-term relationship as a trusted, go-to subject matter expert

You can be brilliant… and still fail a media interview. Intelligence doesn’t translate unless you know how to communicate it clearly. In today’s fast-moving media landscape, strong communication is a leadership requirement. Whether you’re pitching investors, sitting down for a broadcast interview, or stepping onto a podcast, media training completely impacts how your message is received. After coaching leaders at NASA, Johnson & Johnson, and high-growth startups, I’ve seen this again and again: Media training doesn’t just make you sound polished. It builds trust, sharpens presence, and helps you deliver messages people actually remember. Here’s what it equips you with: - Confidence during interviews - Clear communication across TV, print, podcasts, and social media - A blend of authority and relatability - The ability to handle tough questions without losing your footing Preparation is everything. - Research the platform. - Define your one core idea and your 3 main talking points. - Anticipate the questions and formulate answers. - Practice out loud. - Align your body language with your message. These small, intentional habits are what turn interviews from stressful moments into standout opportunities. Media training is really leadership communication under pressure. And the more you practice it, the more naturally your presence rises to meet the moment. 👉 Follow me for more content like this. ♻️ Share this post with your network today.

Are you eyeing an executive role? Knowing how to get your message out in the media spotlight can make your reputation. Three key tips: 1. Don’t dump everything you know. When I was a reporter, I’d ask simple questions and watch people panic, rambling their way into all kinds of unnecessary details. That’s how stories spiral out of control. Stick to your point, speaking to your stakeholders - reporters aren’t looking for a monologue; they’re looking for a quote. 2. Don’t repeat the negatives. If you’re asked a pointed question like, “Did you mislead people about your qualifications?”, don’t answer with: “Did I mislead people about my qualifications? No, I didn’t.” Repeating their negative language only reinforces the wrong idea. Instead, reframe: “My experience has always been presented transparently and reflects why I’m a great fit for this role.” 3. Ditch ‘That’s a good question.’ When I heard this as a reporter, it was a red flag. Either the person wanted me to ask that question (making me dig deeper), or they were buying time to think (which made me more curious). Neither left a good impression. Here's how to avoid executive media slip-ups: - Practice keeping answers tight and to the point. - Learn to say the same thing in different ways, experimenting with word choice and phrasing. - Tune into the emotions behind a question, and redirect with a confident, positive response. - Take a deep breath before you speak. That pause can be the difference between a clear answer and a verbal misstep. Questions? My DM channel is open. Let’s chat. #mediatraining #executivecommunication #publicspeaking #crisismanagement #watchwithpremium