Highlights PR launches new media training suite and practical training package for businesses.
Knowing what to say, and, just as importantly, how to say it; can make all the difference when a business finds itself in front of a microphone, camera or journalist.
That is the thinking behind a new dedicated Media Training Suite from Highlights PR, designed to give business owners, senior managers and spokespeople the confidence and practical skills they need to handle the media effectively.
Based near Morpeth, the new suite provides a professional but relaxed environment where delegates can learn away from the distractions of their normal workplace. The training is deliberately practical, giving participants the opportunity to experience what it is really like to be interviewed rather than simply sitting through a presentation.
The facilities are also used by Radio Northumberland, providing a working environment for the volunteerrun station and giving the suite a genuine broadcasting connection rather than simply recreating a studio environment for training purposes.
The sessions cover everything from preparing for interviews and developing key messages to dealing with difficult questions, radio interviews, podcasts, television appearances and online video.
“We all know that feeling when someone suddenly puts a microphone in front of you and asks a question you weren’t expecting,” says Keith Newman, founder of Highlights PR. “The aim of the training is to take away that uncertainty.
“You don’t need to become a professional broadcaster. You simply need to understand how the media works, know what you want to say and have the confidence to say it clearly.”
With more than four decades of experience across business, industry, PR and media, Keith brings the perspective of both a PR professional and broadcaster to the sessions.
The training suite is equipped to recreate realistic interview situations, allowing participants to see and hear how they come across and identify areas for improvement.
The new training package is intentionally limited in size, with a maximum of three delegates per session, making it possible to provide individual feedback and tailor the training to the needs of each participant.
Whether someone is preparing for their first radio interview, wants to become more confident in front of a camera, is likely to be called upon during a crisis or simply wants to make better use of PR opportunities, the sessions are designed to provide practical skills that can immediately be put into use.
The introductory three-hour Media Training Suite package is currently available for £199 + VAT, with places limited to ensure each delegate receives individual attention.
For businesses that want to improve their media confidence, it could be time to stop worrying about what the journalist might ask and start thinking about what you want them to know.
www.highlightspr.co.uk