Spokesperson Training for FSGA Preparing for Media Interviews and Public Speaking
Spokesperson Training for FSGA
Preparing forMedia Interviews
andPublic Speaking
Preparation
Media Interview
• Remember that the questioner sees him/herself as a consumer advocateand represents your audience.
• You are a consumer advocate, too,as a guardian!
Speech
• Your audience consists ofconsumers or works withthem.
Preparation
Media Interview
• Focus on two consumer related pointsyou would like to make and tell theaudience how this affects them.
Speech
• Focus on three points youraudience should remember.
Preparation
• Wear conservative clothing and stayaway from large, loud jewelry.
Techniques
Bridges or Segues
• Negative question: “Media reports raise a question about the ethics of guardians. Why should people hire one?”
• Your transition: “If the question is, ‘Should people have confidence when a guardian is appointed…?’
• Continuing your response: “…My answer is yes, because we havethe highest of standards through legislation, regulation and the work of an overwhelmingmajority of our guardians.”
Question
Transition
Response
Techniques
Bridges or Segues: More Examples
• "Thank you for asking. Let me tell you the most important point...”
• “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to this issue. I believe what people should know is…”
• “I don’t agree with the premiseof your question. Let me tellyou what I believe thequestion should be…”
Question
Transition
Response
Techniques
Pause, if necessary, before you answer a question from a reporter or audience member.
• This shows that you are interested in the question.
• It helps you control the pace of the media interview andspeech.
Techniques
Speak slowly.
• This also allows you to think while you speak and to control the pace.
Techniques
Media Interview
• Keep your answers as brief as possible. You begin to lose your audience with a response longer than 15 seconds.
Speech
• Brief answers and to the point, although you can go longerthan 15 seconds.
Body Language
Media Interview
• Sit with feet shoulder width apart.
• Women can cross legs
Media Interview and Speech
• Stand with feet shoulder widthapart and arms by the side or infront.
• Don’t put hands in pockets
• Don’t fold arms
Right
Wrong
Body Language
• Lean slightly forward toward thequestioner.
Body Language
• Use your hands to help emphasizecertain words.
Soundbites
Bad
• "Public perception is paramount to our success. We are laboring exhaustively to enlighten interested parties about mutual issues of concern."
Good
• “We are working to hard tomake sure that you understandhow guardianship can affectyour life."
Soundbites
Bad
• "The advantage one obtains fromassociating with our organizationextends beyond education andcamaraderie. There is potency innumbers and that aggregates towardresults that are beneficial bothpersonally and professionally.”
Good
• “Joining our organization will help your business grow,giving you professional andpersonal fulfillment.”