The Media Coach

Hi John,

Last week, I made an offer to give away ten copies of my book.

Eight people took up the offer. You can guess where this is going.

There are two copies left. But the spirit of love is filling my soul so I'll send another free copy to anyone who can connect me to a great musician or band to feature in my radio show.

Here's the deal. Simply email me saying you'd like a free copy. I'll even cover the P&P. You never need to buy a thing from me. You can even unsubscribe after you receive the book (but I hope you don't). I'll pick two more names at random from all those received by midnight on August 14th. However, there is one more thing I'd like you to do to get a free copy. Nominate someone you know well in an organisation that you think may also benefit from the book. I'll send them a free copy with your compliments. And if you think that's a way for me to get introduced to potential corporate clients you'd be right. But at least I'm being open about it.

On Wednesday, I was on GB News chatting with Dawn Neesom about the impact of social media on street protests here in the UK, and the intervention of Elon Musk.

It was a good conversation - we need to be able to talk about these issues in a calm and reasonable manner. My conclusion? That Elon Musk appears to be able to say whatever he likes on "X", even if he doesn't really know what he's talking about.

My guest in the radio show this week is BJ Cole, one of the world's greatest pedal steel guitar players.

His uniquely eclectic style of Pedal Steel Guitar playing first made an impact on the British music scene in the early 1970's with his performances on Elton John's classic 'Tiny Dancer' and Joan Armatrading's hit single 'Down To Zero'.

Throughout the '70's and into the '80's, BJ's inimitable contributions to classic recordings by Marc Bolan, Scott Walker, The Stranglers, kd lang, Deacon Blue and Paul Young earned him considerable respect as both an innovative and exciting creative force. He remains a musical powerhouse to this day.

Hear our fascinating chat in the in the radio show

Go to the MediaCoach Show

Follow me on X (Twitter)

And naturally, there's a track from BJ Cole.

The MediaMug of the week goes to Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter) among other things.

Mr Musk, as well as being very litigious (so I am picking my words carefully), is a great champion of free speech. He practices what he preaches, and this week said on X that “civil war is inevitable” in the UK following the street riots.

His words have been echoed by the not always truthful Katie Hopkins.

We shall see, of course. But I'm betting that both Mr Musk and Ms Hopkins are well wide of the mark.

I had been invited to a formal dinner, and the hostess asked me during the opening drinks reception whether I would say a few words after dinner. I said yes immediately, not just because I was grateful for her hospitality, but also because that's what speakers do. We all have (or should have) a bank of stories and phrases we can draw on.

Of course, I often prepare in great detail for a set-piece speech, as do all my fellow professionals. However, if the occasion demands it, I can also deliver a speech with a few minutes notice. Here's my three-step process for an impromptu speech:

1) Establish the requirement It's extremely important that you clarify what you are being asked to do. Is it a vote of thanks, a call to action, or some funny stories? In order to check you've understood the brief, repeat it back to whoever asked. When you get the nod, you're good to go.

2) Prepare Obviously, your preparation time is very limited. Take a few minutes away on your own and jot down an opening remark, a closing remark and a story heading or two. That's it. No-one will expect a keynote. As long as you open and close your short speech with strong lines, you will make a huge impression.

3) Deliver Don't say that you weren't expecting to speak, or apologise that you didn't have much time to prepare. People know that. Instead, say how grateful you are for the opportunity to speak, and deliver your opening line. It should be easy for you to tell a story or two, and then close with your planned phrase. Job done!

Many years ago, while I was involved in athletics at school, my event was the 440 yards. Yes, I'm that old I was running before we went metric. It's a one-lap race by the way.

My grandfather was my coach, and I used to train on a cinder track (literally made of lumps of burnt rock) in a local park. He used to ask me "Alan, where is the finish line?" I knew the answer. "Ten yards beyond the tape"

The point was, I was supposed to hold my form or even accelerate as I reached the (official) finishing line, so that I didn't slow down and get overtaken. It worked.

I'm sure that the Olympic athletes get much more detailed coaching than that, but I mention it in the context of media interviews.

You should never relax until the interview is really over. That doesn't mean when you think the last question has been asked, as there may be "One more thing before you go". If you've relaxed at that point, thinking you've finished, you may well say something you later regret.

So keep going - not just to the finish, but beyond it. And yes, that is me winning a race at junior school in 1961.

It can be very tempting, particularly when you feel passionate about an issue, to just post it on social media, thinking that you can always delete it later.

However, as many people have found to their cost, a social media post or comment that is online for only a few seconds can be captured by someone and preserved forever.

So here's the thing. Never post when you're angry, upset, or the worse for wear in some way. If you feel the need to vent, write it down. Think about it for a while, but don't touch that keyboard.

As some people here in the UK are finding out the hard way this week, what is said online can be used against you in court. But it could also damage a relationship beyond repair, or ruin a link with a loyal customer.

Just don't say it. Actually, that's good advice offline too.

.

Not everything goes well at the Olympics and elsewhere....

You know I can help. Just get in touch. 07986 852621

The information in this ezine may be freely re-used in any online or offline publication, provided it is accompanied by the following credit line - "This information was written by Alan Stevens, and originally appeared in "The MediaCoach", his free weekly ezine, available at www.mediacoach.co.uk."