Course Description

This course is designed specifically for people who are about to do media interviews with print reporters and online journalists (There is no on-camera TV training in this course). Students will learn exactly how to shape a media message, answer questions from reporters and speak in sound bites. If you are nervous or uncertain about how to get through news media interview with a newspaper or text-based journalist, this course is specifically designed for you. The course has numerous specifc videos oulining step-by-step the process yuo need to take in preparing for interviews. If you want to gain control of interviews and avoid career-damaging quotes, this media training course is designed for you.

President, Media Training Worldwide

TJ Walker

TJ Walker is the founder of Media Training Worldwide and has been conducting public speaking training workshops and seminars since 1984. Walker has trained Presidents of countries, Prime Ministers, Nobel Peace Prize winners, Super Bowl winners, U.S. Senators, Miss Universes and Members of Parliament.His book, "Secret to Foolproof Presentations" was a USA Today #1 Bestseller, as well as a Wall Street Journal, and Business Week Bestseller.  A frequent network news communications analyst, Walker has made more than 2000 network TV and radio appearances on CBS, ABC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNN, Bloomberg TV, Al Jazeera, NBC, CCTV, Fox Business, HLN, TrueTV, Comedy Central, Sirius and NPR.In 2009, Walker entered the Guinness Book Of World Records for most talk show appearances ever in a 24 hour period. Yearly, Walker has more than a quarter of a million views of his public speaking tips videos on social media platforms.Walker is also the author of "Media Training A-Z" and "Media Training Success." Walker is also the producer/host The Facebook Page "TJ Walker - Speak to Influence" a source of daily public speaking training videos, tips and inspiration. He is also a past president of the National Speakers Association, New York City.Walker is the most prolific producer of presentation skills online training courses in the world, with more than 100 separate courses. He has more than 50,000 students enrolled from 172 countries.Walker was a merit scholar at Duke University where he graduated magna cum laude. He has lectured or conducted trainings at Yale University, Columbia University and Princeton University.***“TJ Walker’s single-minded devotion to presentation has made him the #1 expert for executives seeking guidance on speaking to the public and media.” Bob Bowdon, Anchor/Reporter, Bloomberg Television“TJ Walker is the leading media trainer in the world.” Stu Miller, Viacom News Producer“The world’s leading presentation and media training firm.” Gregg Jarrett, Fox News Channel Anchor“To break through the cluttered media environment, it's important to get your message out in a clear and concise way. TJ knows how to do it and gives you the tips to succeed."

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Speaking to Reporters

    • Overview
  • 2

    Messaging

    • How to Frame a Media Message

    • A Media Message Answers all Basic Questions

    • Media Messages Must be Interesting to Reporters

    • Media Messages Must Resonate with Media Audience

    • Your Media Message Needs to Benefit You

    • Three is the Perfect Number of Media Messages

    • Media Messages using a Venn Diagram

    • Have a Positive Media Message

    • Add Quantifiable Results to Your Media Message

    • What Problem are you solving, Media Message
  • 3

    Answering Questions in a Media Interview

    • How to Answer Questions in a Media Interview Overview

    • Answer One Question at a Time

    • Keep Your Eyes on Your Message Points

    • Do Not Repeat Negative Words from a Reporter

    • Tell Reporters 'I Don't Know'

    • Always Be Moving toward Your Message Points

    • Give Brief Answers to Tough Questions

    • Aim for All Three Messages In Every Answer

    • Re-Write the Reporter's Questions in Media Interviews

    • Don't Add One more thing at the End of the Interview

    • Don't try to Control the Interview
  • 4

    Speaking in Sound Bites

    • What is a Sound Bite Overview

    • Sound Bites Bold Action Words

    • Sound Bites Reporters Love Cliches

    • Sound Bites Emotion

    • Sound Bites Give Specific Examples

    • Sound Bites Absolutes

    • Sound Bites Attacks

    • Sound Bite Tools Humor

    • Sound Bite Tools Rhetorical Questions

    • Sound Bite Tools Analogies

    • Sound Bite Tools Pop Culture References

    • Three Easiest Sound Bite Tools

    • Reflections on Sound Bites
  • 5

    Conclusion

    • The 5 Outcomes of Every Media Interview

    • Feedback

    • Conclusion
  • 6

    Bonus Reading

    • Media Training A to Z

    • Media Training Success

    • Bonus Course