What Should Media Training Cover?
A lot of people who hear about media training classes often assume two possibilities: it’s either going to be very simple, or very complicated. It really boils down to the type of media training that you undertake, and how much or how little of the skillset the training offers you already have at your disposal. If you’re new to the concept of media training though, you might probably wonder what exactly goes on in one of those training seminars and if what they cover is even worth your time or money. We’re going to take a quick look at the basic media training course curriculum and what it should cover. But before that, a quick clarification:
What is A Media Training Course Curriculum
People who are new to media training assume that there’s only one type of media training curriculum, and that it covers literally everything. In real-time application however, a regular media training course curriculum is actually custom-designed to target a specific market. Media training will be different for celebrities when compared to, say, delegates. This is because each specific niche market has its own language and its own unique way of addressing its intended audience.
In order to ensure quality, media training is custom fit to suit a specific client’s needs and intended target market. Because of its specialized nature, no two courses are ever the same. This means that a lot of time, thought, and effort go into a single training course curriculum – which is precisely the reason why it can come with a bit of a hefty price tag.
Costliness does come with the assurance of quality, and an excellent media training course curriculum should cover integral key points which apply consistently throughout any media training course, regardless of the intended target market or audience. So while there is a need for some degree of specialization in specific parts, there is a core underlying practice that can be gleaned from all media training courses, those being:
The Core Practices of Media Training
Media training presents several core ‘practices’ or ‘habits’ that can be cultivated by anyone regardless of profession. These practices come into play regardless of the training curriculum undertaken. While there will be a significant difference between media for sports celebrities and those belonging to government entities, there is a unifying practice in each curriculum which ensures the effectivity and consistency of the practice.
These practices include, but are not limited to:
- Speech / voice training exercises – all media training curriculums cover speech and voice training exercises, because speech is among the primary means of communication employed by humankind. However, while everyone is capable of speech, not everyone knows how to articulate themselves properly and how to effectively make speech engaging and convincing. Because of this, most all media training curricula will have speech and voice training at the forefront of its core practices.
- Thought organization – one of the most difficult challenges for individuals engaging in public speaking or addressing large audiences is how to properly and effectively organize their thoughts. Media training services equip an individual with both practical and mnemonic tricks to help better organize their train of thought. Whether it is note-taking, having citations on hand, or just managing to address several points in a timely and concise manner, this practice is sure to help anyone become a better speaker and an even better communicator.
- Media appearance tips – professionals will eventually be required to appear on screen sooner or later. But being featured in interviews can be nerve-wracking to just about anyone, with some people even refusing to show up in the first place. There are ways to overcome this fear, of course – and proper media training curricula does equip people with the means to calmly and confidently engage with interviewers and the media in general.
- Cultivating a public image – this is something that not all media training firms actively try to cultivate with their clientele, but it should come with the territory. Having a public image comes with the added responsibility of maintaining said public image. This is often relegated to public relations teams and management, but equipping a public figure with the skillset and headspace to be an excellent public persona goes a long way to ensuring and preserving their careers. This is inclusive of one’s online public image, which can matter just as much, if not more than a real-life persona.
- Responding to public / societal pressure – blunders are an inevitability for everyone, but for public figures and celebrities, it can make or break careers. Excellent media training courses will incorporate material on how to respond to public pressure without compromising one’s cultivated image. Again, while this is normally relegated to PR representatives, having a client possess the necessary skills to preserve a delicate public image is not only empowering, but also acts a failsafe against potential scandal or public outcry. This is of the utmost importance, especially in today’s strongly social media-driven world.
Media Training and Career Security
Having the right media training skills can guarantee career safety, and above all else, career longevity. In a world where relevance and popularity is decided by one’s carefully cultivated public image, equipping oneself with the necessary skills to excel in that respect is nothing short of a wise investment, and one that promises consistent returns.
Rather than relegate all of the work to PR representatives or management, cultivating even the bare basics of how to become an efficient public personality with the help of media training lets you take control of how you present yourself to an audience, and which skillsets you wish to cultivate or improve even further. By taking such matters into your own scope of influence and control, you can actively refine a public reputation as well as mitigate any possible problems without having to wait for PR to take action. This streamlines the degree to which you can ensure the safety, longevity, and relevance of your personal career and anything else that you may represent.
Hire the Best Media Training Company in the Business
Choosing the right media training company with an up-to-date and effective working curriculum is of paramount importance. Media Training Worldwide is your prime choice for specialized media training. We deliver effective, efficient, and consistent results, specifically targeted to fit your specific niche market, specialties, and learning curve.
Our experienced media trainers will thoroughly equip you with the knowledge on how to appeal to a broad audience, summarize and compartmentalize key talking points, and deliver information in a clear and engaging manner. Our goal is to help you become the best at what you do. Our roster of expert media trainers has been actively and proactively training politicians, CEOs, and managers for the past 30 years, helping them to become better representatives of their own respective industries. If you want to guarantee the stability and endurance of your media presence and career, Media Training Worldwide has got your back.
Contact us today and let us know how we can best help you achieve your media presence goals!