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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Why podcast training is your shortcut to success
With podcasting becoming an increasingly part of the broadcast landscape, here is some more information about the podcast training we offer, from our trainer Paul Curran. Starting a podcast sounds simple, right? Just grab a mic, hit record, and start talking. But producing a podcast that actually ‘sounds’ professional and gets found by the right […]
How to create impact in presentations and media interviews
Whether you are giving a presentation, putting your case in a meeting, sharing your elevator pitch, conducting a media interview or participating in a panel, most people want to communicate a message – to get their point across effectively so people understand it, remember it, and potentially, act on it. One way to do that […]
The state of the media
This year’s Cision State of the Media report had some fascinating insights into trends in journalists, how the media operate, and what journalists need from public relations professionals to do their job. Cision, the global leader in consumer and media intelligence, engagement, and communication solutions, had produced an annual survey for the past 15 years. […]
What journalists want from interviewees
“What do journalists want?” That’s one of the first questions we ask when we’re running media training courses. Answers are varied, but often include: “A story”, “A good quote”, and, very often, “To catch you out”. All of these are true. And all of them are important. In truth, though, most of the time, it won’t […]
Happy Christmas 2023
Ann WrightAnn Wright is a communications and media training specialist at Rough House Media, helping organisations and professionals communicate with confidence, clarity and impact. She writes about media training, communications, PR and effective messaging. Ann is a crisis media training expert. roughhousemedia.co.uk
Five steps to help you present with impact
Do you want to present with impact? Do you want people to remember what you have to say – and take action as a result of it? The best and most effective presenters use a whole range of techniques to capture the attention of their audience and to make their points, many of which can […]
Our simple guide to journalistic jargon
The media is the same as every sector – it has its own special language – terms which make perfect sense to those in the know & mystifying to those on the outside. Here is a selection of the most common journalistic jargon, which may be helpful for those working in PR and communications. Article: […]
Simple tips for using Powerpoint in a presentation
These simple tips for using Powerpoint during presentations can ensure they remain a useful tool which supports your message, rather than a distraction, or even an embarrassment. Our experience of sitting through many presentations over the years is that many speakers use them as a crutch, spending too much time reading from their screen, rather […]
Be more John Wayne: the art of brevity in communication
The argument to “Be more John Wayne” is irresistable to anyone who remembers watching Westerns on a Sunday afternoon, and who values effective communication, so I am delighted to share this article by Rob Fisher, the founder of Indigo, which delivers globally recognised training programmes and tailored management development solutions – in the UK, worldwide and online. […]
Writing a charity crisis plan
When your charity is facing any critical or crisis issue, it will be judged on how it resolves the situation and how it communicates with its stakeholders. Get either of these wrong, and your reputation could suffer – leading to a drop in donations, withdrawal of support, and potential closure. However, communicating quickly and effectively […]
Lessons in public speaking
Recently, there was a thread on Twitter about public speaking by an academic called Dr Nicholas Coles. He’s a Research Scientist at Stanford University and one of his friends had critiqued a talk which he had given. These are the lessons he learned: A year ago, a non-academic friend listened to a talk I gave. […]