Media Training Tips -- Part II

These tips were provided courtesy of Margaret Bumann, in her "Media Training 101 for Mental Health Professionals" training workshop in Omaha on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009.

Read Part I for information on Interview Preparation.

Broadcast Interview Tips

• Practice speaking in short sentences; television sound-bites are only 7-10 seconds long, on average.
• Avoid jargon; use language that everyone understands.
• Use colorful, descriptive words and analogies; it makes what you say more interesting.
• Rehearse your main point; out loud, in front of a mirror.
• Repeat your message several times during an interview. Review the main point you typed or wrote out, then practice saying it several different ways prior to the interview.
• Good posture projects confidence; sit up straight, square your shoulders.
• Sit still; don't rock your chair.
• Don't cross your arms; it can make you look defensive.
• Look the interviewer in the eye.
• Relax, be gracious, smile!
• Wear clothes that project the image you want them to. If you're speaking as a professional, wear professional clothing.
• Even if you think the camera has stopped rolling, don't say anything you wouldn't say in public.
  

- Contact Margaret Bumann at (402) 618-6313 or e-mail margaret.bumann(at)cox.net for more information about upcoming media trainings or to schedule a media training workshop for your group, association, or organization.

Media Training Tips -- Part I

These tips were provided courtesy of Margaret Bumann, in her "Media Training 101 for Mental Health Professionals" training workshop in Omaha on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009.

Interview Preparation
Tips to help you feel confident and comfortable during media interviews.

• Know what you're being interviewed for. Be sure to ask the reporter what the story is about and what information they want to get from you. Once you have this information...
• Craft your message. Be able to state it briefly and succinctly in one or two sentences. Some people find it valuable to write or type out the main point they want to get across during the interview.
• Stay on message. Sometimes the reporter gets sidetracked and the story changes dramatically. If you feel this happening, and you have a stake in getting a specific message out...
• Reel the interview back to its original focus. It's okay to say, "The point I want to make is..." or "I don't understand why that's important to this interview."
• Take charge. If the interviewer fails to address something you feel is important to the story, raise the issue yourself.
  

- Contact Margaret Bumann at (402) 618-6313 or e-mail margaret.bumann(at)cox.net for more information about upcoming media trainings or to schedule a media training workshop for your group, association, or organization.

Are You Media Ready?

In a few weeks, APPT will be co-sponsoring a "Media Training 101" workshop for mental health professionals. There are many reasons why therapists should be media trained. Among them are:

• To promote the profession and the practice of mental health therapy.
• To be able to speak to the media clearly in the event of a mental health-related crisis.
• To generate attention for mental health-related issues, including mental health coverage and parity concerns.
• To increase awareness of specific areas of practice (for example, eating disorders, or depression).

Even if you are shy and are not planning on seeking publicity for yourself or your practice/organization, you should be media trained.

Here are some tips to help you be more media savvy:

• DO monitor the media to keep abreast of news being printed or broadcast about issues affecting the mental health community (public funding for mental health services, community-based treatment, consumer advocates and their impact on mental health services, "Safe Haven" legislation, etc.) and the mental health industry as a whole.
• DO NOT be overly aggressive in seeking media coverage. Do not demand that a reporter cover your story. Instead, be courteous and respectful when dealing with media contacts and expect some disappointments along the way.

If you are interested more information about the Media Training 101 for Mental Health Therapists presented by Margaret Bumann, call Bridget at (402) 393-4600.