Crisis lessons from the BBC Consumer Unit
When I’m talking to clients about how to handle a crisis, and how to handle crisis interviews, I draw on my experience working in the BBCs Consumer Unit. This unit produced exemplary investigations into consumer issues, which held businesses to account on behalf of people who had been scammed or ripped off. When I worked […]
Crisis questions to expect
This morning I ran a quick and dirty crisis interview training session for a client. In it, we discussed the kind of questions which are almost always going to crop up, and which, therefore, you should always prepare how to respond. Here are a few of them – crowdsourced from the Rough House team. […]
Four steps to giving effective media interviews
We’ve all seen the clips on social media – an interviewee caught like a rabbit in the headlights, a journalist insisting on an answer when it’s clear they’re not going to respond. This might make you wary of ever agreeing to be interviewed. However, there are good reasons to speak to the press, and techniques […]
Crisis comms unpacked
Essentials for effective messaging under pressure You can’t always predict when and where a crisis might strike your organisation, however, you can put plans in place to ensure you’re ready to deal with the problem, and protect your reputation. Vicky Kangurs from Tabby Tiger PR specialises in working with the charity sector, and here is […]
Finding your voice
We recently ran a session entitled “Finding your voice” for a group from the International Securities and Lending Association, led by our fabulous presentation skills tutor, Martine Croxall. Here are the highlights of the message she shared. Finding your voice: the phrase makes it sounds like an arduous odyssey. But it’s my belief that your […]
Media training Q and A: Marcus Boocock from IOSH
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health is one of our longest-standing clients. We have been working with their senior leadership and experts for many years, providing media and presentation training. We are very grateful to Marcus Boocock, their PR and Public Affairs Manager, for taking part in our inaugural client Q and A. Tell […]
Your rights as an interviewee
When you do an interview with the media, it is important to know your rights, so that you can ensure you are well-prepared for what might happen, and are not misrepresented. Here are eight rights: 1. If you’re in the UK, you’re unlikely to be given the questions in advance, however, you do have the […]
The value of media training
What is the value of media training? There are a whole range of benefits, including: It gives you the tools to prepare for a media interview It helps you articulate effectively the points you want to make when you give an interview It shows you how to deal with tricky, left-field questions – what […]
What journalists want from interviewees
One of the first questions we ask media training delegates is what they think journalists want from their interviewees. Very often, delegates think the journalist wants to catch them out, trip them up, give them a hard time. Now, this can true – especially if you are an elected official, or you are in public […]
Alternatives to no comment
One point we make during every media training course is that interviewees should never say “no comment” in response to a question as it either makes you sound guilty or that you agree with the point put to you. And every delegate always ask what they can say instead – the alternatives to no comment. […]
Body language in TV interviews
When we’re discuss television interviews during our Media Training courses, one issue which we discuss is body language. Where do you look? How should you sit? What should you do with your hands? First things first, where to look If the interviewer/presenter/reporter is there in front of you, you look at them. Don’t look at […]
Handling the media spotlight
If you are likely to be under intense scrutiny from journalists and the wider world, we can help equip you with the resilience and ability to cope with this pressure and handle the media spotlight. There are some occasions when you will be expected to step up to the mic and speak to the press, […]
How to be a top conference host
The difference between a great conference and a mediocre one is often whether or not it has a top conference host – often also known as the facilitator or “Master of Ceremonies” (MC). While the main job of the host is to help the audience navigate the conference journey, they are often called upon to […]
Presentation venue checklist: 18 questions to ask
When you are giving a speech or presentation, it is important that the logistics go smoothly – and our presentation venue checklist will help. Knowing details of the venue, the tech that’s available, the key contact details, will all help ensure that when you stand up to speak, you can give the best possible performance, […]
What happens if you work with a writing coach?
If delegates on our one-day writing courses find they want or need support on a longer-term basis, we suggest the support of a writing coach. The one we recommend is Jane Heaton, who has many years’ experience as both a marketeer and a writing coach. Here she shares an insight into how coaching works. This […]