Whether you’re navigating interviews, Q&A sessions, or engaging in conversations with stakeholders, mastering the art of media training can be the key to success as it keeps the focus ON the things you want to talk about and AWAY from those you don’t.

Here are three key tips I learnt in media training to elevate your communication game:

1. Know your North Star

The key to a good Q&A is don’t answer the question you’re asked, answer the question you wish you were asked. If there’s a crucial message you want to get across, that’s your North Star. Practice answering questions that lead you back there.

Then if they keep commenting on something trivial or something you don’t know well, you can bring the conversation back to what matters.

2. Don’t speak for others.

If somebody says “You must be shocked by your competitors’ collapse” don’t take the bait. Instead say you’ll let that person comment on their situation, and then bring the conversation back to your area of focus.

3. Have command of two or three recent statistics that support your perspective.

You don’t need to be a walking encyclopaedia, but a few stats are very compelling. Make sure they are no more than two or three years old, and that you can cite your sources.

What More Can You Do?

While the strategies above are indispensable, there’s always room for refinement. Here are a few additional tips to enhance your performance during Q&A sessions and interviews:

4. Active Listening: Pay close attention to the questions posed to you. Understanding the intent behind each query allows you to tailor your responses more effectively.

5. Authenticity: Stay true to your brand and values. Authenticity resonates with audiences far more than rehearsed or scripted responses.

6. Bridge Techniques: Master the art of bridging—seamlessly transitioning from the question asked to the point you wish to convey. This technique allows you to maintain control over the conversation.

7. Practice, Practice, Practice: Like any skill, effective communication requires practice. Engage in mock interviews, seek feedback, and continuously refine your approach.

By harnessing these insights and refining your communication skills, you’ll be better equipped to give interviews which drive your vision forward with clarity and conviction.

What else would you add? What do you find helps when you’re involved in Q&A sessions or interviews?

It’s not every day you get to combine your passion for product marketing with a fantastic team, and yesterday was one of those days! I had a great time delivering a workshop on Messaging and Value Propositions with Fusion Education People Solutions, and here’s why:

1. Working with the Fusion Education People Solutions team was an absolute delight.

Their enthusiasm and dedication to improving their messaging and value propositions were infectious. It’s inspiring to collaborate with professionals who are committed to enhancing their skills and delivering top-notch results to their clients.

2. Interactive Learning.

Our workshop was all about hands-on learning, and everyone was eager to dive in. From empathy mapping to defining unique value propositions, the participants were engaged, asked thoughtful questions, and shared their own experiences.

3. Team Collaboration

Fusion Education People Solutions fosters a culture of collaboration and creativity. The team’s willingness to brainstorm, refine ideas, and explore new approaches was truly impressive – it will undoubtedly set them apart in their industry.

Thank you, Fusion, for inviting us to work with your team.

To all the participants, keep honing those messaging and value proposition skills! Your dedication to improvement will undoubtedly lead to great success 💪

Curious?

This workshop was designed to brainstorm key concepts around marketing strategy. We provide a fresh pair of eyes on areas which need to be revisited often to remain competitive, the objective being to create compelling messaging and to highlight the areas which could be better developed in order to grow market share. If you’d like to discuss something similar for your business, drop me an email at nick@finnemoreconsulting.com.