
If you are an individual who needs exposure r a company that needs to get their message to a wider audience, the media is the best way to achieve your goal. The issue is not everyone knows how the media works and how to use it to your personal or companies advantage. If you need to use the media to get your story out there, you should consider a media management course that will help you understand all the proper steps you should take. However, you must first understand the media.
What is the Media?
Media companies include television, radio, newspapers, magazines and online news sites. Most of these businesses will have both their general area plus an online presence. But what makes them tick? What drives them to report certain stories and not others?
For example, a television company reporter would want a story that is relevant to everyone and if your enterprise develops something that affects all people positively, they will want to hear about it and will often come to you for an interview. Alternatively, if you need to get your message out there, a simple call to the right journalist will get you a lot of exposure without you needing to advertise and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars.
All mainstream media groups look for stories that are newsworthy and will not pay much attention to those that are commercial in nature. But there are instances where you can have a revolutionary product that if used widely will help many people. If you call and tell this to a newspaper or a tv station, they may find it of value, and you can get free advertising (so to speak).
Dealing with the media
When you are interviewed for any reason by media personnel, you need to give answers that are clear and precise. Beating around the bush will only give way to more questions and will ultimately make those listening to you feel that you cannot be trusted. If you are the front man for your company, you may need to meet reporters on a regular basis. If you are unsure of how to deal with the media and reporters, you should take up some coaching and learn from people who have experience dealing with these situations.
People Skills
When you have to speak with a reporter or interviewer, you must also have people skills that will help you learn about the individual and respond accordingly.