Media Coaching

Whether you are getting ready for a national media interview, a TV or film appearance, a remote interview, or starting your own podcast, a media coach can help you present your subject matter in a calm, confident, and authentic manner. You are good at what you do, and now you are being called to the spotlight because of your expertise. Even when you know your subject matter, if being in the media is new to you it can be a little overwhelming. Or maybe you have some experience but would like to come across as even more polished. Either way, media coaching can help you become familiar with the process so you can focus on delivering your message. I would love to support you in this so that your talents, message, and authentic self can shine.

Communication is most effective when feelings and beliefs on the inside are congruent with actions and expressions on the outside. One person could have the fanciest speech writer, hire the best marketing and P.R. firm in town, and have a pocket full of sales techniques. But if their voice is shaky and uneven, too lout or too soft, and they avoid eye contact or make gestures that are too big and distracting, or their face is overly shiny or sweaty, their message is less likely to get through. Yet another person could have no support staff or special techniques, and speak in every day language, but if they believe in what they are saying and they have a spark for their subject matter people will feel this on a visceral level and resonate with the message. Audiences can’t always put a finger on why they like or dislike, trust or don’t trust someone, but they know how they feel because of the fact that most communication is perceived on the non-verbal level. This includes how we dress and wear our hair, how we move and speak, and the overall energy we project.

One of the most important things we can do when preparing for a media interview or presentation is to keep a perspective on our fear, because fear alone can be enough to sabotage the most well intended performance. If you think of yourself as a messenger, and re-frame things so that the media booking is not about your performance (your body, nervousness, or what people will think, etc.), but about the message, this can help take the pressure off of you as a human being. What if the message only reaches one person, but that person really needed to hear it? And then they tell someone else, and that person tells more people. There is a reason you are being called to share your message and when you shift the focus to your purpose instead of self-doubt and fear, you can get out of your own way. As long as you deliver your message, you have done your job.

If you are struggling with self-criticism, you are not alone, as our worst critic is usually our self. The outer critics of the world are only projecting their own fears and insecurities onto others, and they have nothing to do with us. Check out Don Miguel Ruiz’s book ‘The Four Agreements’ where one of the agreements is ‘don’t take things personally’, which I have found invaluable. If you are struggling with an overactive inner critic, or fear of putting yourself out there, I recommend listening to Brené Brown’s TED Talk on vulnerabilty and her Netflix special ‘Call to Courage’, or check out her books for more support around these subjects.

My coaching style is based on a philosophy of support and fulfillment of your purpose rather than techniques and strategies for manipulating audiences and clients. While I believe that our energy, presence, and state of mind far outweigh the physical appearance we were born with, if having good audio and video quality, reducing some shine on the forehead, avoiding distracting accessories, and speaking with intention can help an audience focus on your message, then that’s part of supporting you and your purpose. It’s more about taking away distractions than adding to, changing, or covering up who you really are so that your true self can shine. I have a page on this site full of tips for media interviews with this in mind:

I believe that authenticity and congruency are the true keys to a great media interview and any kind of good communication, as well as to a life of deeper contentment and contribution to the greater good. And to me, that is true success. I would love to help support you to convey your message in a way that is true to who you are through a media coaching (or any type of coaching) session. I love to help people listen to their inner voice and authentic self, which translates to not only media appearances, but to fulfilling our purpose and living an authentic life.

MIMI’S COACHING BACKGROUND:

Certified Transactional Analysis Practitioner
Transactional Analysis is a form of social psychology that looks at how we communicate with others, as well as within ourselves. Communication is a key part of any media interview, not only with the other person and the audience, but in terms of our internal dialogue, which translates to our confidence and the energy we project to the outside world.

Certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner
NLP examines the structure of our experience through sensory modalities, thought patterns, and the use of language. By understanding the structure of our experiences, we can change them to create new ways of being in the world that serve us better than old ones. NLP has roots in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy.

Certified Hypnotherapist
Hypnotherapy involves the use of conscious and subconscious communication, including both verbal and body language. It also looks at how the different ‘parts’ of ourselves interact with each other, and by communicating with these parts in a coaching session inner conflict can be resolved, confidence can be restored, and internal blocks can be dissolved.

MEDIA COACHING & CONSULTING for:

• Media Interviews & Presentations
• Communication Skills
• Body Language, Voice, & Speaking Style
• Podcast, Radio, & TV Guesting
• Interview Booking
• Podcast Hosting
• Hair, Makeup, Wardrobe, & Grooming
• Subconscious Communication
• Mindset & Confidence