Spokesperson Training for FSGA

Preparing forMedia Interviews

andPublic Speaking

Preparation

Media Interview

• Remember that the questioner sees him/herself as a consumer advocateand represents your audience.

• You are a consumer advocate, too,as a guardian!

Speech

• Your audience consists ofconsumers or works withthem.

Preparation

Media Interview

• Focus on two consumer related pointsyou would like to make and tell theaudience how this affects them.

Speech

• Focus on three points youraudience should remember.

Preparation

• Wear conservative clothing and stayaway from large, loud jewelry.

Techniques

Bridges or Segues

• Negative question: “Media reports raise a question about the ethics of guardians. Why should people hire one?”

• Your transition: “If the question is, ‘Should people have confidence when a guardian is appointed…?’

• Continuing your response: “…My answer is yes, because we havethe highest of standards through legislation, regulation and the work of an overwhelmingmajority of our guardians.”

Question

Transition

Response

Techniques

Bridges or Segues: More Examples

• "Thank you for asking. Let me tell you the most important point...”

• “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to this issue. I believe what people should know is…”

• “I don’t agree with the premiseof your question. Let me tellyou what I believe thequestion should be…”

Question

Transition

Response

Techniques

Pause, if necessary, before you answer a question from a reporter or audience member.

• This shows that you are interested in the question.

• It helps you control the pace of the media interview andspeech.

Techniques

Speak slowly.

• This also allows you to think while you speak and to control the pace.

Techniques

Media Interview

• Keep your answers as brief as possible. You begin to lose your audience with a response longer than 15 seconds.

Speech

• Brief answers and to the point, although you can go longerthan 15 seconds.

Body Language

Media Interview

• Sit with feet shoulder width apart.

• Women can cross legs

Media Interview and Speech

• Stand with feet shoulder widthapart and arms by the side or infront.

• Don’t put hands in pockets

• Don’t fold arms

Right

Wrong

Body Language

• Lean slightly forward toward thequestioner.

Body Language

• Use your hands to help emphasizecertain words.

Soundbites

Bad

• "Public perception is paramount to our success. We are laboring exhaustively to enlighten interested parties about mutual issues of concern."

Good

• “We are working to hard tomake sure that you understandhow guardianship can affectyour life."

Soundbites

Bad

• "The advantage one obtains fromassociating with our organizationextends beyond education andcamaraderie. There is potency innumbers and that aggregates towardresults that are beneficial bothpersonally and professionally.”

Good

• “Joining our organization will help your business grow,giving you professional andpersonal fulfillment.”