Media Training A-Z [Paperback]

TJ Walker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2008

New edition includes up-to-date tips and strategies for speaking and dealing with NEW Media, including: blogs, podcasts, webcasts, and ezines.

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Learn to get the quotes you want, look good on camera, and sound confident and comfortable during your next media interview.

In the book, TJ Walker explains:
-A systematic approach to developing and delivering a memorable message
-Strategies to help reduce nervousness
-Tips and guidelines for looking your best on camera
-A successful approach to answering tough questions
-Tips on dealing with ANY interview situation
-Memorable examples from key media figures
-A proven, step-by-step system to create sound bites and get the quotes you want!
- Strategies for speaking to new media

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

"Everybody I work with wants the same things when it comes to dealing with the media: They want to come across as comfortable, confident and relaxed to audiences (and they’d like to actually feel comfortable, confident and relaxed too). Next, they’d like to be able come up with a clear-cut simple message, be able to deliver that message, answer questions in a thoughtful manner, and, finally, get the exact quotes or sound bites they want into the story. This book is a compilation of insights I’ve learned over the last 20 years of trying to help clients accomplish these goals." TJ Walker

About the Author

About TJ Walker

TJ Walker, CEO and founder of Media Training Worldwide, is one of the leading authorities on media and presentation training in the world. With more than 20 years of media training experience, Walker has trained thousands of CEOs, authors, and experts, including leading government officials in the United States, European Prime Ministers, and African diplomats.

A leading corporate trainer, Walker has personally trained top executives at Unilever, Bank of America, Hess, Allstate Insurance, Charles Schwab, Akzo Nobel, US Trust, Dun and Bradstreet, The Hartford, and EMC. He is also the official media trainer of the Miss Universe Organization.

Walker is the most widely published and produced media trainer in the globe, with more than 50 books, training videos, CDs, and software programs to his credit. He has also been a media columnist for Investor Relations Magazine. Additionally, Walker is known around the globe for his many years as a political commentator for the Voice of America Radio Network. More than 65,000 readers subscribe to Walker s weekly Media Training Tips Newsletter, including a majority of the Fortune 500 corporations in American.

Media Training Worldwide is known as an industry leader in the media and presentation training fields. The firm produces more media and presentation training programs, in more formats, than any other firm. It is the number one media training firm listed in Yahoo! out of 30 million sites listing media training.

Walker is a frequent news commentator and has appeared often on MSNBC, Fox News Channel, Court TV, and Bloomberg TV. He has also been a syndicated TV and talk show host, appearing or hosting on more than 2000 TV and radio shows. Walker has also hosted talk radio shows on seven different networks. Walker has been featured in the New York Times, NBC News, ABC News, CBS radio and most major radio news outlets.

Walker was a merit scholar at Duke University where he graduated magna cum laude. He has lectured or conducted trainings at Yale University, Columbia University and Princeton University.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 165 pages
• Publisher: Media Training Worldwide; 5 edition (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932642366
• ISBN-13: 978-1932642360
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,199 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something for everyone, September 11, 2005

By 

Nathan Schock (Sioux Falls, SD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Media Training A-Z (Paperback)

When it comes to talking to the press, people are largely divided into two camps. The first doesn't think it's anything to worry about and the second is terrified of the prospect. Media Training A-Z from TJ Walker has a little something for both groups.

I've worked with a few people who fall into the first camp. The CEO who doesn't think he needs to "waste" any time preparing for the interview ends up having a rambling, hour-long conversation, during which no message is communicated. The reporter is left with little that's usable and often takes their pick from the dozens of messages they heard. Once the interview is published or aired, the CEO complains about being misquoted or "taken out of context."

To them, Walker communicates the importance of preparing for the interview. He advises that you not enter an interview "without knowing in advance precisely the exact quotes you want to see in tomorrow's newspaper or tonight's newscast." He includes examples from the political world of how communicating can make your career (think Ronald Reagan) or break it (Howard Dean).

For the novice about to face an interview, Walker dissects it into its various parts and lays out a systematic plan of attack. The book is also loaded with tips and tricks that Walker has drawn from more than 20 years of media training experience. From what to say, wear and even drink, Walker conveys it all.

The book is not flawless. Some people may find them helpful, but the acronyms Walker uses for memorization reminded me of high school and were so long that the acronym was almost as difficult to remember as the concept to which it was related. I also could have gone to Walker's web site to find his other products and thus have done without the 30 pages he devotes to them at the end of Media Training A-Z. But those minor detractions are more than made up for by the balance of the book.

A final note for leaders (of non-profits, companies, churches, etc.): speaking to the media will most likely be unavoidable at some point in your tenure. Because what you say to the media could eventually be seen/read/heard by thousands of people, you should do your best to make sure you say it well. Media Training A-Z made me a better communicator and helped me teach my clients to do the same. Whether you're a public relations pro or prepping for your first TV interview, this book is a valuable resource.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable advice, May 18, 2005

By 

Arlene Miles-Voice and Speech Coach (New York, New York USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Media Training A-Z (Paperback)

For anyone facing a media interview, TJ Walker's guide is jam-packed with insightful advice-from your on camera appearance and preparation of your message to the fielding of questions. I particularly enjoyed his cautions to stay in the moment, focus on the message, and keep it natural, while remaining interesting and conversational.

However, many people have speech patterns and voice problems that interfere with their ability to effectively communicate on-air, and they need to improve before they can sound natural and conversational while and still be easily understandable. In my practice training people in voice and speech for public presentations, I emphasize the need to warm up the voice and articulation muscles as the basis of a well tuned instrument.

Emphasized in Walker's guide is the needs to prepare your sound bites and quotes with care-keeping a clear message and repeating often. There is no doubt that when you finish you'll realize the need for lots of practice and the value of the workshop sessions offered by TJ Walker, a master media coach .There is a section of do's and don'ts" from leading media figures, which I found extremely helpful. I highly recommend this well-organized guide from a dynamic master communicator.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars To The Point, July 15, 2005

By 

A. Gibson "Angel" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Media Training A-Z (Paperback)

TJ Walker is a clear and concise in his Media Training A-Z book. this is a very user-friendly book that is a perfect handbook for anyone who needs or wants to work with the media.