What is Media Training and Why Does Your Company Need It?

Imagine this scenario: you find a product you’re interested in buying or services you’re interested in engaging. You get in touch with the contact person but they don’t seem to be interested in answering your questions. Worse, they don’t seem to know much about the product or service in question. Disappointed, you decide to take your money elsewhere and tell your other friends not to bother with the said company.

It doesn’t sound like much, but good communication skills and ample product knowledge can do wonders in selling your products/services. Customer service is key and this can be attributed to excellent media training.

Media training is a process that equips individuals, typically employees of a company, with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively communicate with the media. It involves teaching them how to:
 

• Handle interviews: Respond to questions confidently, clearly, and concisely.
• Deliver key messages: Communicate the company’s messaging/product information effectively.
• Manage difficult situations: Handle challenging questions or negative publicity.
• Project a positive image: Present a professional and credible appearance.

Why your company needs media training

Ideally, every company needs to provide media training to its employees. This training covers seemingly no-brainer aspects of communication like not being on the phone when a customer walks in, to ways of answering media inquiries with something more substantial than a “no comment”. 

In addition to ensuring smooth client relations, the other purposes of media training include:

• Crisis management

In times of crisis, effective media communication can mitigate damage to a company’s reputation. Media training equips spokespersons with the skills to handle difficult questions and deliver clear, concise messages.

• Brand building

Positive media exposure can enhance a company’s brand image and increase customer trust. Media training helps employees become effective brand ambassadors who can articulate the company’s mission, values, and products.

• Reputation management

Negative media coverage can tarnish a company’s reputation. Media training helps companies proactively manage their image and respond to negative publicity in a way that minimises damage.

• Thought leadership

Media appearances can position a company as an industry leader and expert. Media training helps employees deliver insightful and engaging interviews that showcase their knowledge.

• Investor relations

For publicly traded companies, media training is essential for communicating with investors and maintaining market confidence. Effective media communication can influence stock prices and investor sentiment.

Conclusion

In essence, media training empowers companies to control their narrative, build trust with stakeholders, and protect their reputations in a fast-paced media landscape. If you need more info on how to provide your employees with media training, please don’t hesitate to send us a WhatsApp text. We’re always happy to assist you!