Media Training Course
Media Training will equip your company spokesperson with invaluable techniques to successfully handle even the toughest media interviews. Professional Media Interview Training is crucial and who better to teach you than experienced journalists. The Media Coach provides sophisticated Media Training Workshops using a combination of theory and role-playing techniques. This course is ideal if you wish to convey contentious matters to the press, issue annual results or build brand awareness.
We provide London Media Training and International Media Training. Key hubs are London and Manchester in the UK, Italy and Spain in Europe. Media Training via Zoom is available when face-to-face is not convenient. The Media Coach is particularly adept at CEO Media Training and C-Suite Media Training (Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Information Officer).
Media Training Benefits
Media Training Course Core Content
The Media Training Course covers key content such as understanding the journalist by getting inside their mind-set. Controlling the interview by learning journalist ‘tricks and traps’ and avoiding having words put into your mouth. Communicating vital information via credible messages, memorable quotes, anecdotes and proof points. Appearing confident through body language techniques.
A few hours of Media Training with The Media Coach can make a dramatic difference to the performance of even the most senior executive during a media interview on radio, on TV, or in print.
Lindsay Williams, The Media Coach MD
Bespoke Media Training Course
We can adapt the content to suit your particular experience and skill set. This includes tailoring interview subjects and questions for your news and specific media. Rehearsing your toughest questioning through role-playing and enacting realistic TV, radio, print and trade press interviews. Your training can take place in a TV or radio studio if relevant. All our courses are available face-to-face or via Zoom.
Media Training Courses FAQs:
What exactly do you teach in media training?
Our media training covers several core elements that differ slightly between print and broadcast interviews. We teach participants how to prepare high-value messages, including memorable quotes, statistics, and examples. Controlling an interview without sounding like a politician is crucial, and we help you do that without losing credibility. We also emphasize avoiding jargon and steering clear of agreeing to or repeating problematic language or quotes.
How long does training take?
We offer two formats: 4 hours of in-person media training or 4 hours of online training split into two 2-hour sessions. This structure is ideal for 1–3 participants. For larger groups, longer sessions or additional training is recommended to ensure everyone gets enough individual practice and feedback.
Where does the training take place?
Our in-person media training is usually held at our client’s premises. We require a room large enough for all participants and a camera on a tripod, along with a screen and an HDMI cable. If you don’t have a suitable space, we can arrange a meeting room for an additional cost.
Do you have a studio?
Yes! If you’d prefer to train in a professional TV or radio studio, we can arrange that. While this is a more expensive option, it’s an excellent choice for teams who want to train away from the office in a fully immersive media environment.
I’m nervous about media training. How do you make sure I won’t feel embarrassed?
It’s completely normal to feel nervous at first! Our trainers are experienced in putting people at ease and creating a supportive, friendly environment. By the end of the session, most participants tell us how much they enjoyed it. We focus on building confidence and skills—not criticism.
Do you record and playback practice interviews?
Yes, absolutely. Recording and reviewing practice interviews is a key part of the learning process. For in-person training, we bring a professional cameraman to record and help analyze the footage. For online sessions, we use smart software to record and instantly play back interviews on platforms like Zoom or Teams.
Is media training only for television or radio interviews?
Not at all! In fact, most of our training is for print media, where participants speak with journalists who write articles based on the conversation. We call this “print media training.” Even for print media training, we use video recordings during practice interviews to help participants improve their communication and control during interviews.
How experienced are your media trainers?
Our trainers are highly experienced former journalists. Lindsay Williams, Eric Dixon, and Marian Hens in Madrid each spent over 20 years in journalism, with expertise in both print and broadcast media. Catherine Cross worked at the BBC for 10 years in the main radio newsroom before moving into PR and specializing in crisis media training at a large London agency. With 10–20 years of media training experience on top of their journalism careers, you’ll be learning from some of the best in the industry.
Is one media training session enough?
It depends on the type of media you’ll be engaging with. If you’re primarily speaking to trade press, one session is often sufficient. However, if you’re preparing for Tier 1 media or mainstream broadcast interviews, additional sessions may be needed, depending on your experience and seniority. We typically recommend starting with one session and adding more if necessary.
How do you help participants remember what they’ve learned?
After each session, we provide personalized coaching notes, a copy of the presentation slides, and a detailed handout explaining key concepts. We can also share digital recordings of the practice interviews for future review.
Media Training Testimonials
Very enjoyable Media Training. Great to learn a new skill from such knowledgeable trainers. Video playback of role plays very helpful.
Incredibly useful Media Training not only in media interviews but in meeting with regulators and executive pitching. This will also make me listen to interviews differently. Very enjoyable if nerve wracking.
Thank you again a wonderful Media Training experience and a huge boost to my media confidence.
The Media Training was a great experience. There were a few important things to remember and these concepts are very clearly explained and easy to practice so that they remain top of mind. Overall very effective.
Thoroughly enjoyed the course. The techniques and structure helped me to see an improvement on the day and feel much more confident about undertaking broadcast interviews. Great course would highly recommend.
Brilliant. Don’t go near a journalist without this. Challenging, provoking and insightful.
I now understand my organisation’s media policy very clearly. It was interesting to see the mindset of a journalists. The message grid was very useful and good role play. Re-listening to my interviews was valuable in identifying where I trip up.
First class training, a real eye-opener. I would recommend to everyone who has any interaction with the press. The interview practice was a scary eye-opener.