Master the Media: 9 Essential Tips for Spokespeople
The Altitude team in the New Era Square offices.
When challenges arise, it’s often too late in the day to think about media training or who is best equipped to handle sensitive media questions.
Being prepared is essential and means that spokespeople are trained, confident and well informed ahead of time.
Altitude team members working at their desks.
Here are Altitude's top media training tips
Define the story or it will define you – set your goal or objective before you even agree to speak to a journalist. It’s wise to plan your key messages and keep them handy.
Remember that you are being asked for a comment because you are an expert. Be confident in what you say.
Lead with the positive and tell succinct stories if you can. Real-life situations and people bring stories to life, making them more memorable and meaningful.
Support what you say with statistics and facts. Be the most credible source of information.
Don’t use acronyms or technical terms.
Prepare, prepare and prepare some more!
Always try to answer the question. Listen to the question carefully.
Don’t answer questions that are leading, hypothetical or based on inaccuracies.
Correct errors and don’t hide behind saying “no comment”. There’s always something you can say.
Have questions?
For more information about Altitude’s Crisis and Media Training services, see our services page that covers some popular FAQs. https://www.altitudepr.co.uk/services/crisis-management
Altitude team members working at their desks.