Media Interview Readiness

It’s one thing to be a good speaker, but it’s another to communicate clearly and coolly under the hot lights and aggressive questioning of an adversarial news crew. While earning this content-rich micro-credential, you’ll learn techniques that will equip you to perform well in both positive and negative news interviews. You’ll learn the rules of communication; optimum on-camera body language; vocal techniques; controlling nervousness; messaging; and how to take charge of an interview.
 

Content

Delivered live at the 2017 Annual Convention (75 minutes) and supplemented by training documents.

Submission Guidelines & Evaluation Criteria (all submissions and evaluation will be handled through the BadgeList platform):

In addition to submitting a few notes about the above session following content delivery, you’ll also need to submit the items listed below to earn this micro-credential. The criteria by which they will be evaluated are also provided. To earn the micro-credential, you must receive a passing evaluation for Parts 1, 2, and 3.

Part 1: Practical application (33% of score):

Apply what you’ve learned by developing up to three of your mission’s key messages in each of the two categories below (100-word limit for each key message): 

  • Your Organization’s Mission
  • How Your Mission Serves the Community

 

Review the training document “Developing Key Messages” by Citygate Network at https://www.agrm.org/images/mc/agrm_key_messages_how_to.pdf

Passing: Key messages are clear and concise (each can be delivered in fewer than 20 seconds); key messages are written as they will be spoken, so language is casual, yet professional; key messages convey the character of your organization; key messages do not marginalize any population; key messages can stand apart from any context (because the interviewer may not include any context).

 

Part 2: Guided Reflection (33% of score):

Provide a reflection on what you learned, using the following questions as guidance. (250-word limit for each answer, 750 words total): 

  • What prompted you to pursue additional education in the area of media preparedness?
  • How were you challenged through the content or through the practical application?
  • What was the impact of developing your mission’s key messages?

 

Review the training document “Lights, Camera, Panic – How Not to be the Story” at
https://www.agrm.org/Document.asp?DocID=357

Passing: Reflections outline the student’s motivations for pursuing the micro-credential, clearly indicate how the activities affected the student and plainly state how the experience will affect the student’s future practices. The reflections are specific and convincing.

 

Part 3: Artifacts (33% of score):
Demonstrate your competency by submitting at least one of the following three artifacts: 

  • Video of you performing an interview (This may be done using an actual interview or a role-playing video; role-playing topic is your choice).
  • Copy of an article where you were quoted or that you wrote as a representative of your mission (This may be print or electronic).
  • A self-evaluation of an interview you performed in the past for a media outlet. Provide the context for the interview, describe what you did well, and explain how you could’ve performed better (1,500-word limit for the self-evaluation). Include at least some of your quotes from the interview. You will not be scored on the interview, only on your self-evaluation of your performance.


Passing: The artifact demonstrates your knowledge of media interview readiness by outlining your use or knowledge of techniques, messaging, body language (if applicable) and interview control.
 

Within 30 days after you complete submission of all parts, the evaluation team will issue an approval for your badge or provide further direction to dig deeper.
 

Supporting Resources 


Palmer Holt
InChrist Communications
704-663-3303 (office)
pholt@inchristcommunications.com

George Hood
The Timothy Group
616-238-1217 (cell)
ghood@timothygroup.com

Steve Ruppe
Ruppe Public Relations
949-584-9086 (cell)
steve@ruppepr.com

Mike Russell
CRC Public Relations
703-683-5004
mrussell@crcpublicrelations.com 

Michael Shepherd
Shepherd Marketing & PR
949-798-5595
michael@theshepherdgroup.com