September is National Self-Improvement Month, and for many of us, that means a fresh start—new intentions, new journals, new goals, new routines . . .
But while you’re focusing on your personal growth, don’t forget your professional growth as well! Self-Improvement Month is the perfect time to focus on building the skills you need to share your message confidently and clearly with the world.
And how do you do that? It all starts with media training—not just for you but for your entire team. Media training is how you ignite your team’s purpose and empower them to share your message with the masses.
Read on to find out why you and every leader in your organization need formal media training!
It Builds Confidence and Credibility
Have you ever had one of those deer-in-the-headlights moments where you just…froze on camera? We’ve all been there—on-camera interviews or live radio appearances can shake up even the most steady leaders.
Unfortunately, stress and nerves can easily weaken your message. But with practice, you can show up with confidence as the credible, capable leader you are.
Media training allows you to practice mock interviews and get comfortable delivering your message. The more you practice, the more your nerves will lessen, and the more of an expert you’ll become at sharing your message with clarity and confidence. You’ll be able to walk into any interview feeling powerful and ready for your big moment!
It Lets You Control Your Message
Let’s face it; we live in a noisy world. To be seen and heard, you have to impress both the media and the public. The best way to do that? Getting crystal clear on your message!
This isn’t something you want to just wing—taking control of your message means you can make sure you’re sharing the most important points in a way that resonates with your audience.
After all, if you don’t define your own narrative, someone else will. Whether it’s a journalist who misinterprets a quote, a competitor who twists your words, or a member of the public who misunderstands your mission, the story can quickly get away from you.
This is why clarity matters so much. When your message is clear and concise, it’s not only easier for the media to report on, but it’s also easier for your audience to understand and remember. A muddled, confusing message gets lost in the noise. But a powerful, well-defined message can become headline-worthy!
It Teaches You How to Be Authentic When Sharing Your Message
Media training isn’t about just memorizing a script or providing prepared answers. You want to appear professional, but you also want to appear authentic and approachable. That means weaving storytelling and a bit of emotion into your message when you say it out loud.
Why do this? Because nearly 90% of consumers say it’s important when deciding if they want to support your mission. Sharing your message with authenticity is the key to building trust with your audience! And when you remove all emotion from your message, it will backfire—people have a sense of when you’re being inauthentic, and nobody wants to feel like they’re listening to a script! This is especially true if your message is centered around a topic that moves you or even your own personal story. After all, YOU are the biggest part of your message!
If you need a bit of extra support in sharing your message out loud with authenticity, try following my BE HEARD Framework, a media training tool that I created to help my clients communicate their message with clarity and confidence in order to move their audience to action.
This is the BE HEARD Framework:
Believe in yourself and the power of your voice.
Empower your inner voice to ignite your outer voice.
Hone your message.
Evaluate your audience.
Articulate by practicing out loud.
Repetition is the key to retention!
Deliver your message to the masses in order to inspire change, build community, and create impact!
What happens when you do this? You’re building a connection with the interviewer and the audience, which makes your message not only heard but felt. That’s how you craft and share a message with authenticity and heart!
It Ensures You Know What to Say
Even the most successful and brilliant leaders can get tripped up in interviews—and trust me, I’ve seen it happen. The truth is, it’s easy to stumble over your answers when you’re put on the spot.
But media training can help you prepare for those moments with tools and powerful techniques that empower you to stay in control of the conversation.
For example, we teach a technique called “blocking and bridging.” Imagine a journalist asks you a question you don’t want to answer—or one that could derail your message. Instead of getting flustered, you “block” the question by briefly acknowledging it, then “bridge” back to your main message. It’s a graceful way to pivot and get the conversation back on track.
By learning what to say and how to say it, you go from being a nervous interviewee to a confident expert. You’ll be ready to answer even the toughest questions while staying true to your core message, and that, my friend, is a game-changer!
It Helps You Communicate to Inspire
It’s one thing to get your message out there, but it’s another to inspire your audience to take action. When you learn how to tailor your message to your audience, you can connect with them on a deeper level.
This is where media training becomes your secret weapon. Professional media training can help you dive into your personal story and extract the key moments that make your message relatable.
When you strike a chord with your audience, they see you, remember you, trust you, and want to take the next step—whether it’s buying your book, taking action on your initiative, or spreading the word about your cause.
It Prepares You for a Crisis
No one ever wants to think about a crisis, but it’s an unfortunate reality of being a leader. Just one media misstep can tarnish your reputation and follow you into the future.
But media training prepares you to handle difficult questions and navigate unexpected situations with composure and grace. You’ll be able to protect your organization’s reputation and confidently guide your team through any challenge that comes your way!
It Aligns the Entire Team and Instills Confidence
Even if you are confident in communicating your message with the media, what about your team? Is everyone aligned, connected, and ready to amplify the same message?
As a leader, you need to give your team the plan, the skills, and the strategy to represent your brand and your story!
When your team receives media training together, you all learn how to communicate your organization’s mission and values with a single, consistent voice. This alignment builds trust and credibility and ensures your message remains clear, no matter who is speaking on behalf of your organization.
Media Training is Self-Improvement!
The truth is, media training is so much more than learning how to speak on camera. It’s an investment in your team, your organization, and your message.
So, this September, while you’re thinking about how to self-improve, don’t forget your leadership and media skills. They’re worth investing in!
Are you ready to share your message with the masses and generate excitement about your organization? That’s what we do every day here at Nardi Media, and we’d love to support you! You can learn more about our media training services here!