Customer Reviews

Media Training A-Z

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.
--------------------------------------------------------

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.

This book is amazing! The information you learn in this book is very valuable coming from an experienced News radio/TV host and media/presenation coach. Not only you will learn to be confident in front of cameras and journalists, but you will be able to make your messages memorable and so impacting that it will get your interview quoted on the News! Print or Media this book will teach you how to look good, sound good, and get what you want out of that interview! Its not about the journalist it's about you!

TJ Walker has provided a great tool for someone just getting started in the media appearance game as well as for the seasoned pro. I have never seen so many media appearance tips condensed into such a practical, effective, and useful guide. I keep TJ's book handy to review before all my media appearances.

Dr. Dan Strakal -- Workplace consultant and expert media source for workplace, business, and career transition issues.

(...)

This easy to read book provides excellent tips and approaches for dealing with media presentations/interviews, and is particularly useful for those who cannot immediately invest time or money in training sessions. A particularly interesting section was the chapter on media figures, which demonstrates how some of our key leaders approached and conquered media experiences. As I read the book I kept thinking how some of the tips would be useful in other ways, e.g., in presentations to professional organizations or in employment interviews. Once again, media training has produced a very useful and informative guidebook for those of us trying to establish and/or gain experience and expertise in media and presentations. Many thanks.

As a crisis communications consultant, I think I know a great deal about media training. However I learned a LOT by reading TJ's book -- especially when it comes to specific tips and techniques for presenting yourself positively during a TV interview. TJ is truly an expert in this arena. His advice is valuable and practical. His writing style is conversational -- enjoyable to read and easy to digest. I will highly recommend this book to my media training workshop clients.

In order to prepare for a television appearance I read TJ Walker's "Media Training A-Z" and found it extremely helpful. Not only was this book insightful and educational but it was INTERESTING. Mr. Walker has demonstrated a great ability to convey needed information in a manner that every reader will remember and more importantly be able to use.

Anyone dealing with a media appearance can immediately benefit from reading this book.

Striker Corbin, CH
Professional Speaker

TJ Walker has put together a very complete Media Training guide. Every paragraph in his book is filled with practical information. Every bit of advice is logically explained and clarified. He basically removes the myths and complex formulas and gives us the pure facts, simple how-to's and why's.

I recommend it to all Executives, Marketing and PR Professionals, Consultants and anyone else who deals with media.

I also recommend "Presentation Training A-Z"

Amazon.com
Customer Review

TJ Walker: Media Training A - Z
A complete Guide To Controlling Your Image, Message, & Sound Bites

Extraordinary book in the field of training to get ready to meet the press and enjoy the time while answering all types of questions. Wonderfully written and easy to read. TJ Walker is experienced trainer in the field who knows all the "tricks of the trade". And he is a reliable guide
while teaching a reader how to use all of them. The book itself is a complete step by step guide to controlling appearance, message and different situations with journalists. It provides logical suggestions and easy to remember solutions, not like general advices, but rather as troubleshooting menu. Anytime when you might find yourself in "what should be done" situation it is encouraging just to remember that everything is mentioned in the book. The book is not motivating the reader to learn by heart words or phrases he will have to say, but rather to enjoy in handling the situation with the press. It is relaxing to start a self - training by the book, because it is a simple and systematic user friendly guidebook. It start with "how to" reduce nervousness and lead the reader to "how to" deliver a memorable message and become a media darling.

Milenko D. Djuric
Public Relations Consulting Group
Belgrade, Serbia
E-mail: profile@eunet.yu