Archive for January, 2008

Media Tip Of The Week

January 25, 2008 at 5:29 pm · Filed under 1, Presentation, Public Speaking

Media Tip of the Week

TXT ME

Some people are too nervous to questions at the end of your talk, but really want to know something. I’ve been using a method for a couple of years that helps overcome their fear, and provides you, the speaker, with great feedback. I ask people to put their phones on “silent” during my speech. I show them my mobile phone number, and ask them to put it in their contact list on their phone. When a question occurs to them, they can text it to my phone at any point. They can be anonymous if they wish. At the end of the speech, I pick up my phone and answer the text questions, along with any “live” questions. Of course, there are spin-offs too. If no-one has asked a question, you can look at your phone and say “a couple of people want to know more about an issue I mentioned” and you can “answer” them. (However, if you think that’s too sneaky, don’t do it). Furthermore, many of your audience will now have your phone number. On more than one occasion I’ve had calls from audience members who wanted to become clients, saying “It’s lucky I had your phone number”.

‘By Alan Stevens, Media Coach www.mediacoach.co.uk‘

 

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Presentation Tips Of The Week

January 25, 2008 at 2:28 pm · Filed under 1, Presentation, Public Speaking

Presentation Tip of the Week

A TV presenter in Croatia is MediaMaster of the week. Damir Matkovic must be good. He persuaded his employers, HTV, to spend twenty-six thousand pounds on dental work to preserve his winsome smile for viewers. One of his many fans, Mirka Radicovic, told reporters: “I only ever watch news programmes because of him. I couldn’t imagine him with no teeth, not being able to flash that lovely smile of his.” (By the way, if any UK TV presenters are thinking of the same sort of treatment, then the best man to see is Dr Surinder Hundle at Lund Osler.) I don’t like the phrase “political correctness gone mad”. My heart sinks when I hear it, since it often precedes a story which is either untrue, or mis-reported. However, this story appears to be all too true. A story based on the Three Little Pigs has been rejected by a government quango in case it offends people. The digital remake of the children’s classic was criticised by Becta, the education technology agency, because “the use of pigs raises cultural issues”. Officials also attacked the story – called The Three Little Cowboy Builders – for stereotyping the building trade, reported the Daily Telegraph. Muslim groups criticised Becta’s response and insisted that a computer program based on the Three Little Pigs should be welcomed in state schools. Tahir Alam, the head of education at the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “We are not offended by that at all.” Yesterday, the quango stood by the verdict. More fool them I say. At least they win an award themselves – the MediaMug trophy.

By Alan Stevens, Media Coach www.mediacoach.co.uk

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Communicate with confidence, speak with style

January 25, 2008 at 11:06 am · Filed under Fashion, Media Coaching, PR in Fashion

Missed the nomination list for the Oscars again? Yes, me too. I think I was probably ignored this year since I haven’t been in, written or directed a film. In fact I haven’t been in a film since 1970, when, as a callow youth, I starred alongside Julie Christie in The Go-Between.. OK, it was a small part. A very small part. In fact, I’m in the background for five seconds, after about nineteen minutes of the film. Anyway, I’m delighted to see that my former co-star has been nominated for the best actress award this year. Good luck to her. I chaired a convention last weekend for the Independent Footwear Retailers Federation. I learnt a lot about shoes. I also learnt a lot about business, since there were some great speakers there – for example, the award-winning designer, Wayne Hemingway MBE. He delivered a funny, touching and inspiring speech about his background, and what he’s doing now to make towns and cities better places to live in. If you ever get the chance to hear him, grab it. Of course, I grabbed an interview with him, where he revealed the best advice he ever received. It’s very good advice too. Listen to him, along with an audio version of this ezine, by clicking here. Remember – you can hear it directly through your PC’s speakers – you don’t need an iPod.

A TV presenter in Croatia is MediaMaster of the week. Damir Matkovic must be good. He persuaded his employers, HTV, to spend twenty-six thousand pounds on dental work to preserve his winsome smile for viewers. One of his many fans, Mirka Radicovic, told reporters: “I only ever watch news programmes because of him. I couldn’t imagine him with no teeth, not being able to flash that lovely smile of his.” (By the way, if any UK TV presenters are thinking of the same sort of treatment, then the best man to see is Dr Surinder Hundle at Lund Osler.) I don’t like the phrase “political correctness gone mad”. My heart sinks when I hear it, since it often precedes a story which is either untrue, or mis-reported. However, this story appears to be all too true. A story based on the Three Little Pigs has been rejected by a government quango in case it offends people. The digital remake of the children’s classic was criticised by Becta, the education technology agency, because “the use of pigs raises cultural issues”. Officials also attacked the story – called The Three Little Cowboy Builders – for stereotyping the building trade, reported the Daily Telegraph. Muslim groups criticised Becta’s response and insisted that a computer program based on the Three Little Pigs should be welcomed in state schools. Tahir Alam, the head of education at the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “We are not offended by that at all.” Yesterday, the quango stood by the verdict. More fool them I say. At least they win an award themselves – the MediaMug trophy.

By Alan Stevens, Media Coach www.mediacoach.co.uk

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