Lean Forward To Look Lean -Media Training

Posted on April 29, 2011 by mtw

by TJ Walker and Mike Bako
There are many simple, yet not common sense, tips for appearing on TV in the best light possible. For example, you know that you should look comfortable and relaxed when you appear on TV; you don’t want to look uptight. But if you sit back and relax in a chair or couch on a TV set, you will look TERRIBLE.

If you sit back and relax, your head will be further away from the camera than your abdomen. Unfortunately, the camera latches on to whatever is closest. If the camera is closer to your gut, it will magnify your stomach. The result? You will look 20–30 pounds heavier than you do in real life. Even if you have six-pack abs, you will look as if you have a large tummy roll. To make matters worse, you will look like you have a double chin, even if you’ve had more face-lifts than Michael Jackson. So don’t lean back in a couch or chair when you are on TV.

Your next option is to sit up perfectly straight, just like your mother taught you when you were in first grade. In this case, your mom’s advice won’t work. If you sit up perfectly straight while in front of a TV camera, you will look as stiff as a board, nervous, scared and highly uncomfortable. Don’t sit up perfectly straight either!

So where does this leave us?

The last – and best – option is to hold yourself up high and lean forward about 15 degrees toward the camera. This will make you appear taller, thinner, younger and leaner, while accentuating your jaw line. Because the camera latches on to whatever is closest, it will now give more prominence to your head and mouth, and less to any excess padding you may have below (a major plus for many well-fed business executives, myself included).
So for seated TV interviews, always lean forward about 15 degrees toward the camera. If you are standing, don’t lean forward quite that much or you might fall over. Just make sure you don’t stand up too rigidly straight, or you will appear nervous and stiff.

The final thing to remember about your body during a TV interview is to move slightly. Don’t remain stiff. You don’t want to move around in a quick, jerky fashion, but you do want to exhibit subtle, natural movement. Occasionally move forward, backward and to the side 3 to 6 inches, just as you normally would when having an animated conversation with a friend.

By leaning forward and moving slightly in a full range, you will look your very best in every TV appearance.

For more information on media and presentation training please visit http://www.mediatrainingworldwide.com and continue reading http://www.mediatrainingworldwide.com/blog for news and analysis to help you communicate more effectively.

Atlanta Braves Coach Hurls Anti-Gay Slurs, Sort of Apologizes -Media Training

Posted on April 28, 2011 by mtw

Mike Bako , Director of Sports and Vice President of Media Training Worldwide:

“Roger McDowell used to be known for his practical jokes and good sense of humor as player but the only joke now is his lame apology for anti-gay comments he is accused of making.”

“These comments are going to haunt McDowell not only in the present but might make him unemployable for any future coaching job if he gets fired by the Braves.”

“No organization would want to deal with the fan and media backlash that would come with bringing McDowell onto their staff.”

TJ Walker on Wall Street Journal Radio’s The Daily Wrap discussing Ben Bernanke’s press conference

Posted on April 27, 2011 by mtw

So how is Ben Bernanke at pitching himself and the Fed, to the press and the American people? – Media Training

Posted on April 27, 2011 by mtw

So the Fed has its first press conference ever. How did it go? As a communicator, Ben Bernanke deserves a solid grade of B. He was calm, relaxed, and not-rushed and communicated at both the intellectual and emotional levels.

Bernanke did a good job of not sounding like an incumbent politician who was trying to make everything sound rosy. And he also didn’t get trapped into repeating negative words about any sector of the economy that could have been quoted and caused markets to tank.

No one expects the chairman of the Fed to speak in as colorful a way as Al Sharpton, but compared to Alan Greenspan, Bernanke is a veritable Donald Trump in terms of being captivating. Bernanke was especially effective when he commented that he understands that “Gas is a necessity. People have to drive to work,” and that is “Hard to blame Americans for being impatient” with respect to unemployment. He also came across as smart and humble when asked about a particular book when his response revealed that he had a) read the book and b) lost a chess match to the author.

Additional pluses: Bernanke stuck to his message that the Fed’s job was to keep inflation low and to help the economy, including employment. He was also great at stressing the Fed’s desire to be more transparent. He didn’t seem arrogant at any point and he never exuded the sense that he didn’t like a question or that he resented having to be there at the press conference—all good things. Also, Bernanke seemed remarkably candid on the decision to hold a press conference and on the internal debate on the appropriate level of transparency at the Fed. Finally, he didn’t accidently make news by uttering an off-message sound bite.

Minor areas in need of improvement: Half way through the press conference his “uhs” and “ums” became more frequent and that made him appear less confident. Next, he said “I don’t think I want to address a hypothetical that I don’t anticipate.” In that case, just don’t talk about it.

Prediction: The Pooh-bahs at the Fed are going to conclude this press conference was a net positive and will hold more. They will conclude, rightly, that the more they communicate with the public, the less likely they will be taken over by an angry lynch mob with pitchforks or a meddling Congress.