MEDIA TRAINING: Be Memorable

Where does your sound bite go?

 How many times have you watched SportsCenter or FOX News where a sound bite from the night before gets played over and over again?   True enough, some of those “media moments” are praised, and some of them are chastised. 

courtesy: washingtonpost.com

What happens in sports also happens in politics.  Once the debate ends, the best or most powerful comment from President Obama or Mitt Romney is replayed for everyone’s response.  And tweeted about…. over and over.

Trust me; those sound bites don’t always happen by accident.  Much of what is said by players and coaches and certainly politicians is planned.  The best in handling the media are those who have a message to sell and do a great job of selling it.  I'm not talking about showing off... but truly "showing up."

Not everyone has that skill.  Some never will.  But the goal with each interview or speech should be to “be memorable.”  The truth is that if you aren’t – you won’t make it on television or radio anyway.

There are too many options, and in today’s world of big media and multiple platforms to present a message…. only the best can build their brand.  So how do you do it?

* Start With A Plan:  What is it you stand for?  How do you want to be remembered?  It doesn’t have to be complicated.  In fact, the simpler the better.  Figure out your personal goal and build a plan to deliver that goal.

* Craft Your Message:  The simpler the better.  And make sure that you can deliver it spot on.

Dynamic and Confident = Connection

* Be Dynamic With Delivery: I was always told in college “you can’t preach to em’ unless you get em’ into the church.”  So the first thing is to hit em’ with your best material early.  But delivery is the key.  If you have to look at notes to do it, or spend a moment to think before you speak, it won’t be natural.  How you say what you say goes a long, long way.

* Make Sure You Connect: The power of the message is only as good as the way you get people to understand it.  Everyone who hears what you say and sees how you say it has a chance to repeat the message.  That means – be memorable.

In today’s media world, there are a whole lot of folks who either get the spotlight or crave the spotlight.  Those who succeed are those who do the most with the opportunity they get.

Line of the Day: In communication, the more you offer, the more impactful the message.  The less you offer, the less chance of anyone remembering you were the communicator.  Be memorable.

Follow me on Twitter @KraigKann