Frequently asked questions about mediatraining

What is media training?

Every day we’re asked the question, what exactly is media training and is it worthwhile doing such a training? So, below you’ll find the most common questions and answers. First, but most importantly: in a media training you’ll learn the skills to tell your story briefly and succinctly in a journalistic interview. You’ll learn to take the lead, so that you have more control over the questioning, so that you are the lead character – not the journalist. Media training will increase the effectiveness of your media appearances.

What are the benefits of media training?

With our media training, you will increase your confidence in media appearances. You will learn how to gain more control over an interview and how best to get your message across. You will also learn how to create a concise media statement. By the end of our media training, you will know the basic rules for a successful media appearance. More than 90% of our participants can apply the lessons they’ve learned immediately. As a result, their performance in the media is more professional and more effective.

When is media training necessary?

If your job involves dealing with the media, for example as a spokesperson, then it is wise to follow a media training. This will increase your effectiveness during an interview. For example, you’ll learn to tell your story briefly and succinctly, and you’ll learn to work with mediagenic statements. You will also become acquainted with the working methods of the media and journalists. It will give you greater confidence during media appearances and, in addition, provides greater insight into how the media functions. You can say that media training is necessary if you want to increase the chances of a successful media appearance. Ultimately, it is a question of creating opportunities and avoiding pitfalls.

Who is media training for?

Media training is useful for anyone who has to make media appearances and give interviews. The training teaches what is necessary for a successful media appearance as a spokesperson. Participants develop the key basic skills they need to know before embarking on an interview. Media training is actually the realization of your own role in a press interview. We train, among others, spokespersons, local councillors, directors, management teams, press officers, presenters, mayors, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes and board members.

What does media training mean for communications?

In practice, we notice that media trainings always result in reflection on the effectiveness of communications. Sometimes, it becomes apparent that the organization’s core messages are not clear, that there is no clarity in communications (everyone has their own story), or that the division of roles within an organization needs modifying. Media training is a good catalyst in such cases. In group training, media training is also excellent for team building. Everyone experiences the same learning curve and learns from each other, they are together for strong and weaker moments. There is collective reflection on communications and everyone’s role in this regard. In this way, it increases team spirit.

What does media training consist of?

Our training invariably begins with a personal assessment. An individual practice interview in which we simulate a media appearance as realistically as possible. It becomes clear during this interview what your pitfalls are. This way, it becomes clear what you need to work on, your personal action points.

Feedback

To work on these action points, you’ll go through multiple interviews during the training, in which every imaginable scenario can be chosen: radio, TV, newspaper, studio interview, live interview. We train with both forms of journalistic interview, confrontational and informative. Everything is recorded on video, so that it can be watched back. The media trainers give feedback after every interview. You’ll receive what we call Tips and Tops; what is going well and what can be better. They will, of course, look at personal presentation and non-verbal communication. At several moments in the training what each participant has learned will be evaluated and consolidated.

Theory

Media training isn’t rocket science, but we do provide you with some solid theoretical basis. This is primarily aimed at giving you handy tips that you can put into practice immediately. Such as a simple method to take control and a step-by-step plan for devising a media message. In addition, we’ll show you video examples of good and bad media appearances. At the end, each participant will receive our Tips for Media Appearances and also a personal report.

Which media are covered in the media training?

All media are reviewed in the training. We record all the interviews. This might give the impression that the training is focused on TV appearances. But every interview in our training is representative of any type of journalistic questioning. Whether it is TV, radio or newspaper, the form is the same and rules are too.

Who are the media trainers?

Our media trainings are given by TV journalists with years of experience in news and current affairs. The best foundation for a media trainer. Especially TV journalists interview intensively and their story depends on the interviewee making clear statements. Most of our trainers also have experience as communications consultants. Consequently, they are able to advise and train from both disciplines. The trainings are led by Leo de Later. When you receive our offer, we will also inform you which media trainer(s) you will work with. You can also choose yourself from our select group of media trainers. Group trainings (minimum three people) are run by two trainers as standard.

How important is it that the media understands our company, industry, or sector?

Media training is all about developing skills for improving media appearances. In principle, the media trainer doesn’t need any specific knowledge of the organization for this. Of course, our trainers immerse themselves in the matters and the issues that (can) arise. In the end, it is about working with concrete, journalistic questions. Just like a journalist, a media trainer prepares and does research, also in terms of content. Often in consultation with the client – after all, they know the ins and outs. If there is a specific issue at play that can lead to media attention, then obviously that is prepared for. For example, during the media training, you can practice the specific questions that journalists may ask. This means the media trainer taking on the role of the journalist. Not of the client.

Can I be myself with media training?

Our tips and tricks won’t turn you into another person – a common misconception about media training. Authenticity is paramount. You must be and remain yourself. The point is that you will be more in control in an interview situation, that you can take the lead and tell your own story. To the extent that it is also useful for a journalist and that it reflects what you think is important. We will provide you with simple and easy tips that will help you do this.

Can I practice with my own subjects?

Certainly, and we advise you to do this. The interview subjects in our media training are always related to the participants’ fields. This also makes the interviews realistic. You can also practice with your communications policy or the organization’s Q&As. Prior to every training, there is an intake meeting so that we can customize the training to your needs. Each participant can also specify personal preferences, both in terms of content and the skills to be addressed.

How long will the media training take?

We recommend that you set aside a whole day for a group media training. Skills training is time consuming, because you learn by doing. It is not, therefore, something that can be learned in an hour. A private training for one or two people can be done well in three to four hours.

Where is the media training?

The training is, in principle, at our office in Amsterdam, where we have access to our own training space and studio facilities. Of course, the training can also take place at any location of your choosing. We recommend that you do the training outside of the office, so that you are not disturbed during the session. We can, if you wish, arrange a suitable location in your area, so that you can really get away from it all.

Group training or individual training

Media training is primarily a skills training – you learn by doing. You can do this training individually or in a group. An individual training session is the most efficient. In just a few hours, you’ll learn the most important lessons and train intensively with one or two trainers. One session is usually sufficient. If you’d rather train with colleagues, then the group training is obviously a good option. These are one-day trainings. Led by two media trainers, you will work with each other. It is advisable not to make the group too big, a maximum of five people. The bigger the group, the less possibility there is to practice individually. The effectiveness of the media training is therefore directly linked to the size of the group. Of course, you can learn from each other in a group – you can see how others do it. In addition, you can also consider team building as a secondary goal of the training. Important for management teams, communication departments and Executive Boards.

In-company or external training?

It is wise to do the training away from the office and not in your own working environment. Then you can really take a break from the daily routine and concentrate fully on the media training. All the trainings can be done on our premises. If you’d have a ‘day out’, that we can arrange a suitable location in your area. In Amsterdam, we work together with two excellent meeting locations in a rural setting.

How often should I do media training?

The frequency of media training largely depends on the frequency of your media appearances. If you are only dealing with the media occasionally, then it makes sense to have training once a year. This is the best way to keep your skills and knowledge current. If you are doing interviews regularly, then it can be useful to do a training once every two years. You can brush up on your knowledge and evaluate your media experiences with our trainers. We recommend organizations that may have to deal with a crisis, and which have a crisis plan ready, to have training at least once a year. This increases crisis resilience, certainly in the area of media appearances.

How much does the media training cost?

The price depends on the sort of training you follow, i.e. individual or group training. We are happy to provide you with a free, no-obligation quote. Click here to send us your message.

Can the training also be given in English?

Our training can also be given in English. We have a number of native speakers with journalistic experience available.

Will I receive a certificate of participation?

We can provide proof of participation in our media training on request.