The Public Relations Blog

One of the first things we do upon rising in the morning is check the news to see what’s happened overnight. Some seek out the weather report or stock reports, while others prefer to digest leading headlines or sports news. The fact that news occurs around the clock is one of the main reasons it’s imperative to have a trained media spokesperson on staff at all times.

3 reasons why a trained “talking head” is beneficial for your company 

Have you ever watched a televised interview where the interviewee responds to questions with ease, using a flowing, conversational tone? Or perhaps you’ve seen an interview where a company spokesperson seemed defensive and dodged questions using the phrase “no comment.” Some people are naturally exceptional public speakers, while others require significant training to become comfortable talking in front of large crowds.

5 things to remember to be an effective speaker

When you give a speech, you want your words to have the maximum impact on your audience. Notes can play a useful role in any speech you give. Most public speaking professionals agree that you should use your notes during your public speaking event. The question is how to use them wisely and effectively for your event to be successful.

Be sure your spokesperson is ready for the tough questions

If you lack spokesperson training, an interview with the media can be daunting. It’s not easy to maintain your composure when you’re standing in front of a bank of microphones with camera lenses pointed directly at your nostrils.

A critical public relations skill is optimally negotiating media interviews. Most PR firms offer a form of spokesperson training or coaching to clue in company spokespeople about the finer elements, one of which is how to properly set the tone for media interaction – whether amid crises or simply run-of-the-mill product launches.  

How to connect with your audience at public speaking events

Public speaking engagements are your opportunity to deliver your company message personally to your key audience. Whether you’re announcing a new product, holding a news conference or even responding to a crisis, you want to make a positive impression and establish connection and understanding with your key stakeholders.

A gifted spokesperson improves your image and grows your brand

Your spokesperson becomes the voice of your company as he or she shares your story with your target audience. It’s critical that you select someone who understands how to convey your message to the media, especially during a crisis. Here are four ways a great spokesperson benefits your company.

4 tips for choosing the right person to represent your company

Identifying the right spokesperson for your brand is very important. When your company has special events, announcements or even a crisis, who should represent you? What are the qualifications you should be looking for in the individual who will be the face of your company?  

Why reading from notecards is not in your best interest

Anyone who has made a presentation or spoken in front of a large group knows how nerve-wracking it can be. So, wouldn’t it make sense to prepare notecards before your speech to be certain it goes smoothly? In a word, no.

4 scenarios you might expect if your spokesperson lacks professional media coaching

Media training can be as involved as a daylong session with public relations professionals including everything from mock interviews to critiques. This is ideal for someone who has little to no experience speaking with the media. But media training can also be as simple as a quick meeting or call with the public relations team to discuss interview purpose as well as anticipated questions and responses.

How to find the right spokesperson without compromising the ethical standards of your company

One important decision your company will make is choosing who will serve as its spokesperson. Selecting the right spokesperson to represent your business isn’t easy. This person has to satisfy many professional and personal requirements to be the right fit for your company. On top of having high professional standards, your chosen candidate should comply with ethical standards. Here are four principles of ethics that every spokesperson should follow.