How to Be a Government Spokesperson
You can communicate the messages of your agency to the media. Learn how to master every media encounter.
In this "How to be a Government Spokesperson" course you will learn how to communicate to the media effectively as a representative of a government agency or bureau. The media hold government agencies and government officials to a higher level of accountability. As a government spokesperson, you will face greater skepticism and even hostility from the news media.
This course will teach you four main skills:
1. How to look comfortable, confident and relaxed anytime you go on TV or in front of a camera.
2. How to shape a three-part, thirty second media message for each interview.
3. How to answer reporters' questions in a strategic, focused manner.
4. How to package your messages with sound bites so that you will know in advance exactly what quotes of yours will appear in the final story.
TJ Walker has been a government spokesperson while working as the director of communications for the Florida Department of Banking and Finance and as a press aid to Members of the US Congress.
TJ Walker
Intro
How to Look Your Best on TV - Overview
How to Apply Makeup for TV Interviews
How to Sit for TV Interviews
How to Smile for TV Interviews
How to Use Your Eyes During a TV Interview
How to Move Your Head for Video Interviews
How to Move Your Body for TV Interviews
How to Move Your Hands for TV Interviews
How to Sit in Your Chair for TV Interviews
How to Stand for TV Interviews
How to Dress for TV Interviews
Video Record and See Your Improvement
A Media Message Answers all Basic Questions
Answering Questions
Message
How to Frame a Media Message
A Media Message Answers all Basic Questions
Media Messages Must be Interesting to Reporters
Media Messages Must Resonate with Media Audience
Your Media Message Needs to Benefit You
Three is the Perfect Number of Media Messages
Media Messages using a Venn Diagram
Have a Positive Media Message
Add Quantifiable Results to Your Media Message
What Problem are you solving, Media Message?
Assignment - Create your own Media Message
How to Answer Questions in a Media Interview Overview
Answer One Question at a Time
Keep Your Eyes on Your Message Points
Do Not Repeat Negative Words from a Reporter
Tell Reporters 'I Don't Know'
Always Be Moving toward Your Message Points
Give Brief Answers to Tough Questions
Aim for All Three Messages In Every Answer
Re-Write the Reporter's Questions in Media Interviews
Don't Add One more thing at the End of the Interview
Don't try to Control the Interview
Soundbites
What is a Sound Bite Overview
Sound Bites Bold Action Words
Sound Bites Reporters Love Cliches
Sound Bites Emotion
Sound Bites Give Specific Examples
Sound Bites Absolutes
Sound Bites Attacks
Sound Bite Tools Humor
Sound Bite Tools Rhetorical Questions
Sound Bite Tools Pop Culture References
Three Easiest Sound Bite Tools
Reflections on Sound Bites
The 5 Outcomes of Every Media Interview
Sound Bite Homework
Sound Bite Practice
Video Homework
Final Interview Practice
Conclusion
Feedback
Media Training A to Z
Media Training Success