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Why media training is important

Missed opportunities.

That’s what I tell clients you can avoid with media training. Chances are interview opportunities are going to be far and few between. You don’t want to regret or waste those one or two sound bites you’re going to get.

I know many new and seasoned business owners who panic and/or don’t know what to do when a reporter calls–things like return calls promptly and speak on message.

Media training helps you emphasize your key talking points and avoid traps for all types of interviews, including on camera, live, radio and phone. As with any skill, practice and repetition makes perfect.

Here’s a test: Tell me clearly and succinctly what your company does (no slogans, no jargon). You’ll be surprised how difficult this question can be without training. If you think this is tough, imagine answering questions during a crisis!

Small Business Saturday

I like the idea of Small Business Saturday. For those unfamiliar, it was started two years ago by American Express to support small businesses between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

When you make a purchase from a small business, it helps their bottom line by a much greater percentage than a big box retailer’s. Same in my industry. When we land a contract, it has a larger positive effect on our company than for a large agency.

Of course, I’m not advocating a total avoidance on big box retailers–after all, they were small businesses at some point. But when you can, buy something from a local merchant.

Leave Thanksgiving alone

You’re either a person who likes Black Friday or you’re not. I am not. Shopping in crowds of people fighting for deals sounds like an uncertain amount of torture. So when some retailers announced their Black Friday sales would start on actual Thanksgiving, I can’t express how terrible that sounds.

Some people love it and get some sick enjoyment from being pushed around just so they can get a ridiculously good deal on a flat screen TV. While it would never be worth it to me, I get some people derive satisfaction from telling people they fought a middle-aged women for a Wii. (Sorry I couldn’t think of a more recent must have Christmas item.) I just don’t.

Unfortunately those crazy individuals we keep Black Friday going strong But can we keep it to Friday, please? It’s bad enough the trick-or-treaters were not even ringing doorbells and stores had Christmas displays up, but can we leave Thanksgiving alone? Let’ take some time to truly be thankful for Thanksgiving and let people enjoy it with their family and loved ones.

At least there are few stores that have kept the employees and customers’ holiday cheer in mind. Nordstrom’s proudly proclaimed they refused to partake in the Thursday sales to celebrate one holiday at time. I have to say, I like their style.

Either way, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!