Top 10 posts of 2013
/Just in case you're not completely sick of year-end or top 10 lists yet, here's a quick rundown of The Art of the Great Media Interview's top 10 posts of the past year based on numbers of web views and social sharing stats:
10. Jaymes Diaz's 'deer-in-the-headlights' TV interview (August 13, 2013)
It's a textbook example of the importance of making time to prepare for your media interviews. Australian politician Jaymes Diaz was recently being interviewed by TV reporter John Hill when he was asked about his plan for addressing illegal migrants entering Australia by boat. Diaz cites his party's "...six point plan to make sure that we do stop the boats". When the journalist prompts Diaz for details, however, the politician is unable to recall even a single point. (Read Post)
9. Media relations is like a BBQ (July 4, 2013)
Who doesn't love a good barbecue? The sizzle and smoke-infused goodness of your favorite meat on the grill. The tantalizing texture and flavor of grilled peppers, onions and buttered asparagus. And, of course, the palpable anticipation of family and friends as they await a meal, expertly cooked under the open sky. Few summer activities can rival the awesomeness of a barbecue that goes according to plan. But you might be surprised at how often things don't go according to plan. (Read Post)
8. A media interview is NOT a conversation (January 4, 2013)
If I only had 10 seconds to prepare someone for an important media interview, this is what I would tell them: A media interview is NOT a conversation. A hard core, full day media training session should still be the minimum prerequisite for any spokesperson preparing to face the media on behalf of their organization. But when it comes to... (Read Post)
7. Advice for PR and CorpComms grads (December 3, 2013)
I received a tweet yesterday from @AntoineSarpong in the PR program at Centennial College asking for advice for PR and communications grads. Getting that first job in your chosen profession can be a big source of anxiety. I wanted to reply with something a bit longer than 140 characters. So here, in good old long form, is my advice for the PR and corporate communications grads of 2013. (Read Post)
6. Nail your next TV interview - Part I (February 1, 2013)
TV interviews tend to put me in mind of dogs chasing cars. It seems like everyone wants to go on TV to talk about their new company, book, product, etc. But when, after so much pitching and pleading, they're finally able to line up that first TV interview, not unlike the dog that *catches* the car for the first time, few people... (Read Post)
5. Gary Vaynerchuk and the art of the great presentation (June 2, 2013)
This past summer, I had a chance to interview Gary Vaynerchuk, one of the world's most popular keynote speakers, on what he thinks makes for a great presentation. (Read Post)
4. How to handle a media scrum during a crisis (June 20, 2013)
When it comes to media scrums, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that the vast majority of people will make it through their entire careers without finding themselves at the center of one of these stressful, impromptu press conferences. The bad news is that if you do find yourself suddenly surrounded by a circle of clamoring reporters during a crisis, you will have likely had very little time to prepare. (Read Post)
3. How to write a news release that won't get deleted (April 9, 2013)
Ah, the news release... he rotary phone of the modern PR industry. Still able to perform its intended function but, for all intents and purposes, a relic from another era. Is the news release dead? Perhaps not. But it sure is looking a little long in the tooth... (Read Post)
2. Google Trends shows magnitude of Rob Ford story (May 25, 2013)
The Rob Ford 'crack allegations' story has dominated headlines in Canada and parts of the United States for the past week. In addition to the salacious nature of the allegations of drug use by the mayor of one of the largest cities in North America, there have been surreptitious meetings between journalists and drug dealers and high-profile references to a secret videotape that allegedly shows the Mayor smoking from what appears to be a crack pipe. (Read Post)
1. 50 great gifts Canada gave the world (June 30, 2013)
Our biggest post of 2013 didn't have anything to do with media interviews, presentation training or Rob Ford. Our Canada Day post about some of the great gifts Canada has given the world generated nearly 150,000 page views and more than 49,000 Facebook likes within 24 hours. (Read Post)
Thanks to everyone who stopped by The Art of the Great Media Interview blog this past year. Happy holidays and here's to a great 2014 for you and yours.
Warren