Your Energy Behind The Podium

Becoming A Spokesperson For Your Company

2012-02-29T20:16:00.000-08:00

What’s important to you,verbal or non-verbal messages? Is theear more powerful than the eye? Dopeople hear what they see, or what you say? Our philosophy at “My Media Tutor” is, people will judge what they seeand remember half of what they hear. Audience members are selective of whatthey “want” to hear and “believe!” When a White House spokesperson speaks at thepodium, do you believe their words? Doestheir verbal delivery mean something to you? What about their bodylanguage? Our methodology is; sound credible and look believable! Sounds easy, right? Building your business in a viral world meansyou must provide visual and verbal messages that people can relate to andbelieve to be true.

There are so many verbal,variables to consider when bragging about your company. There’s verbal branding, the strategies andmarketing campaigns, all derived from your mission statement and elevatorspeech. Remember that elevator speech that makes us anxious? Your elevator jargon is effective when youcan skillfully impress someone in a short period of time. Short and simple, verbal branding is anelevator speech amplified with repetition that you’ll see in the form of acommercial, infomercial or signage. Verbal branding shapes the way people think about your company, productsand or services. Coca Cola has done a tremendous job programming consumers topick up a soda when your throat is dry or parched. Their product quenches anythirst anywhere. They’ve successfullyshaped the thoughts of consumers forever!

Let’s get down to thebusiness of you becoming a spokesperson or choosing someone within yourcompany. These days you have no choicein the matter. Media is everywhere! If your business is growing leaps andbounds, or has a goal of capturing audiences any and everywhere, put your“verbal market share” to work immediately. Your Verbal-Market-Share is heard and seen by hundreds of thousands,sometimes millions of people. Withinyour message people will observe a few things; the company is likable andcredible, your company extends a hand to please the needs of consumers,distinguishes itself from its competition. The key is to keep the ball rolling with good works and greatmessages. We run into clients who had noidea that a simple media interview could put them on the map to boostsales. Is your company ready to conductmedia interviews?

Having a reporter call onyour company to satisfy a 6’o’clock news package is priceless! Have you made alist of topics your company can talk about with integrity? Do you send local, regional and national newsoutlets your well written press releases when your company reaches certainbenchmarks? Are these press releasesposted on your website?

Consider a campaign withcarefully planned out and well produced video footage posted on YouTube anddownloadable audio files. Did I mention it has to be well thought out andproduced? Let’s go over a few more crucialsteps. Brainstorm a few messages and images you want the public to see and hearwhen conducting interviews, commercials or infomercials. In the midst of your endeavors, get inputfrom department heads and employees. This will assist in improving the internal culture in the office,guaranteeing that everyone is on the same script when talking about their placeof employment. Take this message for atest run, does each message sound credible and believable? Work up some audio and video footage for yourtrusted team to critique. In the processchoose someone willing to share your treasure trove of valuable informationwhen reporters call the office. Yes, occasionallythe owner, President or CEO of the company will decline media exposure so theyopt out.

You’ll be surprised at the talent sitting inyour office right now! They’re ready to be trained to represent and make thecompany look great. I guess you’rewondering why we’re spilling the beans and giving trade secrets out inBoot-Camps? Well, it’s no secret thatcompanies are cutting budgets, but we believe entrepreneurs and mid-sizecompanies need an edge to compete globally.

Let’s identify someone inyour camp that’s eager to get in front of the camera and microphone, yesboth! They must be willing to gettrained properly before media calls. Learn how to speak in sound-bites. Your spokesperson must be a trusted source within the company. They must stay on task when cameras arerolling and microphones are LIVE. The potential spokesperson must have gooddiction commanding the English language, fast thinker, poised posture,authoritative voice, not shy. When youchoose the right person make sure they have a pleasant personality, no loud andoutspoken loaded cannons. Are they a“people person?” Are they willing tojump when media calls for interviews? All these things must be considered when choosing the rightspokesperson.

Having employees becomefamiliar with a simple 60-second elevator speech about the companythey work for is a brilliant idea. Asemployees network someone is sure to ask about the company, why not use yourtask force as a word of mouth campaign. So, what do you do for the company? Let’s get your camp on track and train them for success!

Extra Cheese On My Speech Please!

2012-02-08T08:58:00.000-08:00

A yummypizza with extra cheese only enhances the flavor, but Dr. Oz reminds us of thehealth risk associated with it. Puttingextra cheese in your speech relating to smiles is healthy. Don’t you wish you could get up and talk toan audience with a clear mind and a smile on your face? No apprehension or doubts of performing yourbest. This is doable if you clear yourmind of negative thoughts and focus on the message while smiling and satisfyingyour audience. If you look like you’rein pain delivering a message at the podium, your audience will pick on thatenergy. I’ve been hosting radio showsfor the past 17 years for CBS Radio, conducting public speaking engagements forthe past 20 years and teaching in broadcasting and public speaking classrooms for 7years, I have found the answer!

The answeris, “deliver a clear message and smile while satisfying your audience”, that’sit! It appears fairly easy, even doable,but we tend to over-think a situation if we’re using the left hemisphere of ourbrain. We go into, “the what if-mode.” Highperforming public speakers have committed the same mental abuse tothemselves. They have stood in a puddleof fear or have made a plethora of mistakes learned on the way up. I would imagine there are a few people who’ve walkedup to a microphone and podium, nailing their performances every time.

When bookedfor an event I might have concerns, but have learned over the years to stopworrying. I’ve learned to smilemore. I’ve learned to prepare myspeeches and presentations months before I sell them. On event day, I get up with the attitude of treatingmyself like royalty and smiling in the mirror more than usual to get me in themood. It’s all about you treating oneself with dignity instead of beating up onyourself. Life is hard enough withoutself inflicted wounds. If you have “extreme” physical symptoms during aperformance seek medical advice. If you’reshaking a little, sweating a little as adrenaline rushes through your body,join the club of public speakers on the path.

When onstage remember to focus on the content, deliver clear messages and smile as yousatisfy your audience. Bottom line, if you connect with audience with a smile,they’ll enjoy you as much as you’re enjoying them.

Your Einstein of Speeches

2012-01-16T18:44:00.000-08:00

When writing your signature TALK, use your imagination like crazy! A good speech can move the speaker as much as theaudience member through a collaboration of chemistry. It’s you knowing what words and phrases togive at the right moment. At times this meansrevising your speech in mid-air to satisfy your audience. You can memorize this signature speech or TALK throughpictures in your mind as well. Visualizingwhat you want to say and how you want to say it through these vivid pictures inthe mind is the secret in delivering the ultimate speech..

Albert Einstein let his imagination run up and down the aisleof solutions and scenarios when his inventions come to life. We teach people interested in publicspeaking to imagine themselves into a successful outcome. As a good public speaker, you have to decidewhat’s important to the audience and realize what you want out of it. Your imagination is theinvitation to create incredible discoveries in your own little world of genius.

How You Can Relate To Any Audience!

2012-01-10T08:21:00.000-08:00

Thefirst rule in public speaking is “know your audience.” Let’s be candid for a second. When we’re standing behind that podiumtalking on the microphone, we care deeply about being liked. We want the audience to embrace our words,our physical demeanor, and enjoy our energy. Our curiosity gets the best of us when we see all new faces in theaudience. WE WANT TO DO A GOOD JOB!

Youhope you sound sensible when feeling nervous. In the public speaking arena there’s no guarantee’s of us liking ourperformance and the audience following suit, until we open our mouths and spitout the first word?

Oh,but there is one sure fire guarantee! Break the audience down into onecategory. What do all audiences have incommon when they don’t see eye to eye on political, religious, lifestyle oreconomic issues? Inspiration!!! Thinkabout it, “Inspiration is Universal.” and anyone with a pulse wants to beinspired in some way.

Everytime you have a speech to make, TALK to give or presentation to present, theyshould have some hint of inspiration in it. Whether it’s your vocal tone, your content, your body language, or youreye contact, it MUST have “Universal Inspiration” in it.

Getstarted this minute! Find a cleannotebook specifically for inspirational quotes, anecdotes and rhetoricaldevices, all related to topics you want to share this year. Rhetorical devices are sentences like; “Youcan be that inspiring speaker if you inspire yourself first. Be the speaker you want to hear, see andbe.”

Got any questions? Anyconcerns email us at info@mymediatutor.com regarding your next speakingengagement? My Media Tutor is here for you with one-on-one sessions orBoot-camps designed for your radio, TV or presentation.

Body Language of Our 2012 Political Candidates

2012-01-03T10:25:00.000-08:00

How well are the Republican candidates debating and holding downthe stage? We’ve seen some meltdowns,outbursts and deer-in-the-headlight reactions. We've even seen tears! Here’s the deal, being in the spotlight debating andinterviewing with reporters makes them transparent. If we look close enough, we can see theirtrue character. Media coaches sweep them away after every speaking engagement to review what they could do better. Do they stutter or flinchwhen answering questions? Yes, they're human, we all do it. Many times you’llwitness world leaders responding like a robot, always disciplined and careful. Why do they act like this? It makes them seem disconnected, but it reduces the chances of them making a verbal blunder, or loosing their composure.

Whether we agree on the platform of these 2012 candidates,we must see and hear five characteristics in order to admire them: Are they calm and composed? What do their facial expressions say? Is their verbal delivery on point? Is their tone pleasant? Most importantly,what are they saying that relates to us?

Politicians are trained to filter their thoughts. President Barack Obama has a likable rhythm when hespeaks, he's all about the perfect cadence. He likes to move hishands as he gives deep-content-delivery. President Obama has his facial expressions down to a science, whetherhe’s providing good news or bad, he’s consistent. Can you do that? Try it! It takes focus andhours of practice to acquire your unique facial imprint.

Benjamin Franklin quoted: Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see. What do you believe from our candidates? The first rule in public speaking is: you onlyhave one chance to make a good impression.

Your Million-Dollar TALK

2011-12-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

There are so many rules related to delivering a good TALK/Speech. The pressure-cooker of rules confuse and confine you. Let's simplify your TALK! These easy steps will liberate your Million-Dollar TALK.

Write down 3 words.
(1) Introduction
(2) Body
(3) Conclusion

Its your first try at this, so make it simple.
Compose a short 2 or 3-minute TALK.
Beside each word write down the appropriate sentence or paragraph that you'd like your audience to hear.

Hit Your Mark!

Your Introduction warms-up your audience. It should bring life to the topic you're talking about and transition smoothly into the Body of your TALK.

The Body of your TALK is the longest and strongest piece, so make it interesting. The Body of your TALK should paint a nice picture that ebbs and flows in and out of your main points.

The Conclusion of your TALK should leave your audience satisfied. Hopefully you gave them what you promised. If step 3 is done correctly, you will have your audience wanting more contact with you as they give you the accolades you deserve.

Did you find the easy steps beneficial? There are 3 stages to "Your Million-Dollar TALK" and you just learned stage one. Would you like to have a session or consultation? Sessions are taught several ways: One-on-one hourly sessions or 4-hour Boot-Camps. The virtual classroom is reserved for out of state clients.

Would you like to know more about us? My Media Tutor is a full-service portal for clients who desire to polish their verbal cues. We work in the field of broadcasting and realize the feelings associated with anxiety, doubt and shyness when the spotlight is in your face.

Would you like an expert to critique your TALK/Speech?
Do you need help with a dynamic delivery?
My Media Tutor also can assist in expanding your vocabulary.

Email My Media Tutor with your public speaking concerns info@mymediatutor.com

Your 2-Minute Talk

2011-12-08T12:00:00.001-08:00

YOUR 2-MINUTE TALK

By: Francene Marie

The idea of getting in front of an audience to speak doesn’t bother us in the least, but most often we find ourselves saying NO to many public speaking endeavors. Whether giving a speech, a toast, conducting media interviews or heading-up a meeting, we contemplate success and doubt at the same time…but why!

We get caught up in what to say, how to say it, or how we’ll sound to others! This is a natural feeling of wanting to do a good job. You want to be concerned of the outcome, but hopefully the concerns you’re having won’t take you over the edge.

Being apprehensive about talking in public while a microphone is in your face is normal, but if you desire to feel less apprehensive, it can happen! Believe it or not, microphones can become second nature to you as your words are magnified.

My Media Tutor knows the circumstances you face when getting in front of others to speak. We work in the field of broadcasting and have made all the bloopers and blunders possible! Before we work with a client, we like to get to know what their concerns are. Let’s start at square one! Before we talk would you mind composing a 2-minute TALK about any topic below.

<span style="font-weight:bold;">TOPICS</span>

A. Share with us how much your pet means to you.

B. Talk about the most exciting day of your life.

C. Give us details of how something works or a task. (i.e. how electricity works, how to make your favorite recipe, etc.)

D. Choose your own topic

Our mission at My Media Tutor is to provide you with the resources, guidance and feedback to bring out the natural speaker suppressed inside. Try the mood exercises when reciting your 2-minute speech. Jump into a different mood each time you recite your TALK in the mirror.

<span style="font-weight:bold;">MOODS</span>

1. Jump into “Diplomatic” mode for 2-minutes while reciting your TALK.

2. Try being as "Joyful" as possible for 2-minutes.

3. Use a “Serene" demeanor when speaking for 2-minutes.

Look over the list of feelings below and choose emotions that come up when you speak, and share with us at info@mymediatutor.com.

Fast Talker – Tense Facial Muscles – I Don’t Articulate My Words – Soft Speaker – Angry - Nervousness In My Voice – Agitated - Forgetful - (Come up with your own list)

We are here to help! www.mymediatutor.com or email us at info@mymediatutor.com

Public Speakers Conducting Workshops and Seminars

2011-04-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

You might not be able to reach all of your participants in the audience all of the time, but you can reach the majority, most of the time. As a facilitator, instructor or teacher, we can't force an audience to listen and retain our information, but we can be proactive in our vocal and physical delivery styles.

Since audience members comprehend information differently, i.e., right brain versus left brain, we must be mindful of the BIG PICTURE we're presenting. For instance; is our audience hearing and seeing our demonstration as we intended them so see and hear? Or, is there missing pieces we can add to their learning experience?

We have several intentions as a facilitator, instructor or teacher, our number one goal is to make our TALK easy to digest. Our second goal is to be receptive to any confused participants in the audience. Our third goal is to build relationships with potential clients, friends and colleagues as we TALK. So, how can we do everything efficiently, we're busy being, busy? Read more about conducting workshops and seminars

http://ezinearticles.com/?Public-Speakers-Conducting-Workshops-and-Seminars&id=6111231

Going Out On A Limb When Speaking

2011-03-21T23:59:00.000-07:00

Who coined that phrase “going out on a limb”? They must have been thinking about “us public speakers”. That’s exactly what if feels like the very first time we address an audience! We take baby steps to the podium, even baby steps forming words. Our hearing ability shuts down or tends to be amplified. Conscious memory of our speech leaves us, our bodily functions mysteriously play tricks on us. Sweat glands go into overload, our mouths feel dry and nauseous feelings of fear invade our space. There seems to be no exit except rushing though our presentation or speech. That’s what happens until we get the hang of speaking on the fly and trusting every word we utter will be well-received in the manner we intended.

Going out on a limb when we’re speaking in front of an audience is magical when it happens. We tend to trust ourselves a little bit more each time we get a good response from the audience. Our energy level gains more momentum and we’re happy with our present level of success.

I wish there was a CAN OF COURAGE we could buy to become the speaker we want and need to be at a moment’s notice. If we partake in a few sips of alcohol before we speak, chances are somebody will notice our behavior and discount our credibility, unless we’re toasting or roasting someone in the appropriate setting.

So here’s your CAN of COURAGE in a nutshell. You have to be the doting speaker, not doubting speaker. Dote on yourself, demonstrate great love for yourself. This sounds ridiculous, right? It is! But it works! We use this method in media tutoring sessions to get people out of their shy state and build confidence at the speaking podium.

Here is how it works.

You’ll need 1-hour carved out just for you

One mirror

Grab a video camera to record yourself, or 2 friends who will tell you the honest truth about your performance.

Write a 5-minute TALK about a relevant news story. Choose a story you’re passionate about.

Practice this 5-minute TALK in front of the mirror to get familiar with facial expressions and hand gestures and your vocal variety. When you think you’re ready invite your “honest friends” and set up your video camera to document your success.

The end result is having your memorized and relaxed gestures down to a science, which will make you enjoy your performance. You’ll be able to see yourself from another perspective, making changes before reaching your audience. Give yourself kudos for trying and keep practicing until you reach the level of accomplishment you desire. See you at the podium!

Public Speaking - Ridding Limits & Liabilities At The Podium

2011-03-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

Public Speaking..... Ridding Limits & Liabilities At The Podium
Must Be Present To Win, Series
Our limits in life are the stop signs and red lights we won't allow ourselves to run.
We're at the starting gate and can't see the forest for the trees. We're stuck in the middle of conversations of doubt. These rapid doubts form a pattern in our minds that limit our fullest potential. I guess you can say we're a liability to ourselves!

WHY DO WE LIMIT OURSELVES WITH LIABILITIES WHEN IT'S TIME TO SPEAK?
We do this because we don't feel worthy in front of a certain audience.
Our spirit has been worn down with negative self doubt.
Our imagination makes us believe that audiences will hate us.
We don't believe in ourselves.

Let's shed that imagined doubt and negative thought before it gets out of hand. Inside we're the speaker who wants to tell the world about our book, business or service. We're anxiously ready to run with our speech, our pitch and our presentation. But for some reason, one imaginary limited thought spirals into two or three. The truth is, these visions are delusional, yet real with emotions, physically and mentally. We have a knack of talking ourselves into dark insecurity, setting off hurtful and putrid odors.

It's absolutely doable to override negative thought patterns with positive ones. We just need to go into overload connecting the positive wires on a personal level. Feel free to claim these positive attributes mentioned as your own. The positive examples look and sound like this; "I am a great communicator", I have a great voice for speaking on the radio". "I always stand up straight when I'm on stage". "I am excited, yet comfortable when I'm presenting". Come on, I know you can think of something else that you can believe in.
My Good Attributes Are?
1.
2.
3.
The key is, we're not giving power to the limits and liabilities in the back of our mind. So count 3 more positive attributes about yourself. If you want to take it a step further, write down these attributes on index cards and place them in front of you as you work on your speech, talk or presentation. Glance at them and say them out loud!!!! You have to believe in the words otherwise the words don't have any POWER! Post your positive attributes up on the mirror when you practice your TALK. This process is going to assist in the esteem enhancing piece when you talk in front of others. This conscious effort of practicing is going to benefit you, 100-fold.

There's immense happiness that occurs when you give a speech or presentation, but only if you're enjoying your time serving your audience. I have never run across a good speaker who didn't like sharing a part of themselves. I have known speakers who make the mistake of not sharing, which produces a dull experience for themselves and the audience.

How much potential happiness can we have at our speaking engagements? A LOT!!! Here's the bottom line, condensed to the simplest form.
The process of ridding our lives of LIMITS and LIABILITIES when speaking, requires:

1. Acknowledging positive attributes

2. Modifying our TALK that caters to the audience

3. Acceptance of how great a job we will do in front of any audience!

You're creating a ripple effect of acknowledging success. You hold every word, every thought and every action that gets your message across in a timely manner. You never go over your time to talk, or under-talk your time in front of your audience.
These are your new resources to success. Just be conscious, and able to recognize when negative limits invade your space, anxious to germinate. Never allowing them to sit and multiply. You'll be cheated out of GREAT opportunities if you nurse the negative. Instead nurse your speaking ability to a higher level and keep it moving! You're ready for the next speaking engagement and before you know it, your booked 6 months out and living your heart's desire.

Need help creating the great speaker inside of you? Call on "My Media Tutor" for your media interviews, book tours, speaking engagements and political campaigns. "My Media Tutor" is a integrated full-service portal created to polish your behavior before reaching the microphone. We work in the broadcasting field, we teach, tutor and inspire great speakers! Email us your thoughts info@mymediatutor.com

Public Speaking Tips

2011-02-21T10:54:00.000-08:00

Use the V.E.R.P Methodology My Media Tutor has composed to NAIL your next performance!
Ask yourself these questions before you reach the radio microphone or speaking podium.

The V in V.E.R.P stands for the "Verbal Cues".
1. What verbal crutches are you using now that you can afford to lose? The um's and ah's that annoys the listener?
2. What new vocabulary words can you pull from memory to get your point across in a short amount of time?
3. Try registering your voice to sound pleasing to the listening ear. (We teach this technique in the Boot-Camps)

The E in V.E.R.P stands for; Your Energy On Stage!
1. When arriving to your speaking engagement, have a smile on your face as soon as you get out of your car. 2. Carry this positivity to the podium and utilize to connect with your audience. When getting out into the public eye and representing your BRAND, you only have one chance per speaking engagement.
3. Use smiles to warm the audience up and someone in the audience will follow suit.

The R in V.E.R.P stands for "Relating To Your Audience"
1. Know your audience! Although we may have to report annual figures to Board Members we still need to engage our audience with a few smiles and verbiage they can digest.
2. If your audience is "technical" or "religious" they all want a smooth messages delivered without strain or struggle.
3. Keep your messages short yet informative. No one wants to hear 1-hour of content that could have been reduced to 20-minutes.

The P in V.E.R.P stands for "Presenting"
1. What type of speaking style will you be using?
2. Will there be a PowerPoint presentation, will there be audio or video? Will someone be around to trouble shoot problems when they occur? Having someone available taking care of technical issues, will relieve you of that responsibility..
3. Most of all, define your agenda for each demographic.

There are 4 more hours of content you can learn.
Join us for a Public Speaking or Media Interviewing Boot-Camp by visiting us online www.mymediatutor.com

Fear of Public Speaking - Do It This Way Now!

2011-02-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

Three things float to the top of the list regarding fears people have. One is feeling safe! Another is death and the third is public speaking! Studies show us the impact of people's shyness and fear of speaking inhibiting their self expression. In our business climate only the strong communicators win job promotions due to their ability to network online, socialize, and capitalize on effective messaging. When employers can count on employees to sell the business with the spoken word, it produces a total package and more opportunities arise.

There are three moving parts to a good speaker! The first category is voice quality! The rate of speed you talk, your tone and the pitch of your voice. This is just as important as the second moving part which is; consciously composing succinct messaging full of relevant information people want to hear.

The third moving part to a good speaker is; exuding confidence and passion, with a hint of persuasion connected to your message. Sought after public speakers hold "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs" innately without knowing the advantages it carries. Novel public speakers can use "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs" to test the waters when in front of any audience.

When reaching the podium to speak, or cracking a microphone for radio or TV interviews, we never know where our engaging TALK will take us until we feel like "we belong". This surge of confidence is what Media Tutors teach. It's all about feeling more comfortable and in-charge of your content. The domino effect will inspire you to reach even higher levels of self-belief. Self belief satisfies the ears that are listening. These internal motivators make good speakers. Before going out for speaking engagements or media interviews consider the following methodology to boost your esteem.

1. Passionate about your topic, speak with clarity!

2. The research and background information to make your point.

3. Your physical energy should be lighthearted with the occasional smile to the audience. This helps turn off you defensive or angry buttons if someone disagrees or annoys you while speaking. 4. Verbiage that speaks to your demographic.

5. Speak loud enough, yet using pleasant tones. 6. Most of all don't forget to leave the stage after you promised to conclude. Respect the time given to you!

Take advantage of your time after the event to engage audience members, this is where the magic happens. You're able to gain friendships, followers and potential clients.

Visit us online to learn more about exuding confidence at the podium and in your media interviews at www.mymediatutor.com

Authors Etiquette When Conducting Media Interviews

2011-02-05T17:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome to My Media Tutors Tips!

There are 20 or more steps in conducting media interviews, today let’s digest 3 before we move on to on-air etiquette and show content.

Once you write the manuscript of your dreams a pat on the back is deserved. Once it’s published properly the real fun begins when you book interviews and speaking engagements to promote!

1. Writing intriguing PRESS RELEASES & INTERVIEW REQUESTS is key!

If you have a team of folks working on your behalf they’re writing and pitching you all day either locally, regionally or nationally. Each one has a different price. Some PR teams offer “pay per pitch". If you’re self published, guess what…..you are the PR team! As a host and producer I receive my share of boring press releases and phone pitches, they should be considered bedtime stories. With that said put some thought and excitement into your releases as well as your voice over the phone. Tag your releases to relevant news stories. Make them jump off the page. Make a host or producer want you on their show!

2. Things NOT to do!

1. Don’t - OFF-PITCH – media hates a white lie, so keep your pitch and release truthful.

2. If this is your 3^rd time calling the host or producer, don’t sound as if you’re disturbed they haven't returned your call when you leave those messages. Oh, please say your phone number twice when leaving a message, and keep those messages to 30 seconds, NOT :60-seconds - get a stop watch to time yourself before leaving messages.

3. OK, everyone misspells, it’s human, but your press releases and media request must be pristine.

4. Don’t spend time writing 2-page releases. If you can’t say it in one page, rethink your succinct message.

3. Have you emailed sample questions to the host, twice?

Just because you wrote a book doesn’t mean the host really WANTS to read it. The host may need to fill a time slot with content. Do your due diligence and write sample questions that paint a BIG picture.

Do you have an air-check in your media/press kit?

....Oh, we're out of time, we will discuss your air-checks within the next tips.

My Media Tutor works with all types of clients with various media goals. We assist clients conduct practice interviews to add to archives. Remember practice makes for a more perfect interview.

More tips to come…..

Francene Marie, Your Media Tutor

Visit us online www.mymediatutor.com

What’s Your "Golden Voice" Saying?

2011-01-24T17:38:00.000-08:00

What’s Your "Golden Voice" Saying?

(Inspired by Ted Williams)

By Francene Marie Morris

What’s wrong? Have we lost our fight to win our dreams and goals? Before we know it, the New Year has turned into the 2^nd and 3^rd quarter, then vacations or the yearning for a weekend get-a-way will be in full effect. We may resort to three voices telling us one of the options below when our dreams and goals get away from us:

1. We excuse ourselves for being too busy

2. Commence to beating ourselves up

3. Or become numb and lifeless

We used to go after “our favorite things”…our destiny of all things good; daydreams that felt real. You know…the laundry list, the hundreds of post-it notes full of good intentions, the magazine cutouts of pictures stuck on the fridge and the note on the bathroom mirror reminding us to get in the mood and go after what we want?

Putting your goals to pen and paper is the first step to getting what we want, but somewhere along the way the cutouts of our dream home, dream car, etc., becomes distant. The year evolves and our personal goals dissolve! What’s happening?

Are we ultimately afraid of going after our favorite things? Or do we lose focus along the way? Do we dissect and analyze everything attached to our dreams and goals, which stops us in our tracks, turning us into a self-saboteur?

With that in mind, let’s do some simple inventory, fill in the blank and make a quick evaluation.

“Why haven’t I been actively working towards what I want?” So what if we miss our goals the first, second or third time around? On one of those post-it notes write down three of your favorite things and GO FOR IT!

Picture this……imagine yourself as the 53 year old homeless Ted Williams with the “Golden Voice”, living in a tent in the woods with a God given gift? We're sitting in our brick and mortar homes with every convenience possible just allowing our gifts, talents and favorite things to fade. Focus on these questions and answer them if you dare:

· What’s your gift? Do you want to share it by volunteering or make a living at it?

· How do I get my gift out in the forefront for the world to see?

· How can I stop blaming others for things not happening for me?

· How do I begin to believe in myself?

· Do I need help believing in myself, my gift, my true destiny?

Allow all that to percolate. Meditate on it, pray on it, think and imagine yourself doing what you’re destined for. Get up from your chair and do something right now to make it happen. Just don’t do one thing! Don’t sleep on it or analyze it too hard.

Life is mystic and full of opportunities. We just need to knock on that door with gratitude and allow people to see our humbleness. Think about the missing pieces that are stopping you, or the glue that needs to put you back together again. Do one thing per day that gets you in the mood of winning. Use your ears to hear that “golden voice” whispering vital information to grow your destiny!

Want to go after your public speaking goals?

Would you like to polish your "golden voice" with a BootCamp?

Well, "Speaking In Public Places" BootCamp might be for you.

Visit http://www.mymediatutor.com/ and see if public speaking and media services fits your goals for 2011.

Let's talk soon!

Francene Marie

info@mymediatutor.com

http://www.mymediatutor.com/

Anxiety is the best source of energy at the podium!

2011-01-11T09:50:00.000-08:00

Have you found yourself in the audience of a hotel ballroom sitting patiently waiting your turn to head to the podium? Our hope is that when we're introduced, we don’t fall up the steps or trip over a wire as we head to the microphone. We pray that our teeth are free of trapped food particles and clothes look neat.

We have desires of the audience hanging on every word we say. The only problem that seems to get in the way as we utter the first word in the microphone is self doubt! Self doubt is an energy that shows in our voice quality, body language and ability to organize thoughts.

Once our mind begins to process and expedite these random thoughts, we've lost the audience before we had a chance to capture their attention. Why do we do this? Because we're hyper focused on self and not the content of our TALK.

The goal is take control of your thoughts and exude the energy levels you desire within the first :60-seconds on stage. If technical issues occur or introductions exceed :60-seconds you still have time to control thoughts and composure.

Picture in your mind how much energy you need to exude at the podium. It doesn't matter how tired you are, give your audience something good to listen to and look at. If you're lifeless at the podium, your audience will follow suit.

Energy can be given away to your audience several ways:

1. Voice Inflections

2. Hand Gestures

3. Strolling The Podium

4. Upbeat Content Shared With The Audience

5. Allow The Audience To Participate

There are numerous ways to get pumped up and entertain an audience even if you're not a comedian. You must get in the SPEAKERS ZONE.

The SPEAKERS ZONE is a plateau of controlled emotions and uncontrolled fears.

Some refer to it as anxiety. Anxiety is the best source of energy at the podium when you forget the next word out of your mouth or the deer in the headlight moment we all experience.

Tips:

Stay in the Speakers Zone - Keep your intentions of why you're in front of this audience.

Practice your content - There are at least 10 different ways to say your content. Experiment when you practice to give yourself various vantage points, plus this is a great way to memorize your content.

Try a Public Speaking or Media Boot-Camp. When you have a moment visit www.mymediatutor.com and think about polishing your public speaking skills this year. It's never too late to learn new ways of giving a good TALK!

Francene Marie

info@mymediatutor.com