August 2017 - Kathryn Janicek

It’s Not Fair | The Melania Trump Edition

August 31, 2017/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

She was judged for what she wore.
She was ripped apart online.
She was called out of touch.

We only saw a picture.
We didn’t know her itinerary.
Yet she was judged for what she wore.

Every detail was outlined and ridiculed from her stilettos to her sunglasses.
She was never intending to get on a boat and help rescue stranded Houstonians. We also didn’t know if she had a change of clothes inside the chopper.

Yet we, the audience, judged her for how she looked. For what she wore. Twitter BLEW UP.

It’s not fair.
When I was a kid, I said it a lot.
“Life’s not fair,” is how my mom and dad would respond over and over. It didn’t make me feel any better. But, it’s true.

Life’s not fair.

I hear it from clients when I first tell them how much hair, makeup, wardrobe, jewelry, and facial hair count. We may want what’s inside of us to be the only thing that matters — but so much more creates the image an audience sees.

When we’re on stage or presenting in front of a small work group – we expect our expertise to be heard and seen…. and not the fact that we have two inches of roots and haven’t been able to get a haircut in months.
Life’s not fair.

We see it all. And we judge. Most times, we don’t even know we’re doing it. But what we see definitely adds to how we feel about a person.

What you wear is as important as what you say. You could have a doctorate in your field – but if what you look like is distracting – it’s hard to gain the trust of your audience.

Melania didn’t choose her role. Her husband chose it for her. What we can learn from her choices this week is that we all need people around us that we can trust to speak the truth. To tell us when we’re making a big mistake. To guide us on how an audience may perceive us in our decisions.

We can and should judge her team. And maybe that annoying FLOTUS baseball cap she wore too.

Kathryn Janicek is a three-time Emmy Award-winning television producer with 20 years of experience working in newsrooms across the country. Kathryn coached talent, producers, and writers before switching her focus on helping entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Now, based in her home city of Chicago, she is a much sought-after media coach and public speaking trainer who will help you produce the best YOU. Click HERE now to book a complimentary 30-minute consultation with Kathryn!

Why public speaking is the most important skill you need

August 25, 2017/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

The skill is public speaking.

When Warren Buffett went to college, he avoided all classes that would require public speaking. He was terrified of it! When he graduated, he realized his fear of public speaking was killing his ability to move up in his career.

My public speaking course was arguably the best investment I made in my life. – Warren Buffett

In an Inc.com article, the billionaire investor was quoted as saying:

“Now, you can improve your value by 50 percent just by learning communication skills–public speaking.” – Warren Buffett

Richard Branson agrees. In a Virgin blog post, he said:

“Communication is the most important skill any leader can possess.”

“Today, if you want to succeed as an entrepreneur, you also have to be a storyteller… It is not enough to create a great product; you also have to work out how to let people know about it.”

Why are these skills so sought after?

1: Professional Growth:

Public speaking and knowing how to communicate help professionals motivate change, influence decisions, and form connections.

Great public speakers master the art of influence and leadership. This is a classic guide that all public speakers should read. You must be able to effectively communicate with not only your boss – but your colleagues and employees.

2: Gaining Trust:

Leaders who INSPIRE are trusted by their employees. Leaders with communication and public speaking skills have a much easier time influencing their co-workers. This will also help make projects run seamlessly.

3: Personal Growth:

Public speaking will help you increase your confidence level. If you can get up in front of a crowd – you can ask for a raise, inspire your employees, have more successful dates – even be more successful and happy at home.

Ryan Laverty is the Founder and CEO at SpeakOut. He smartly teaches his clients that, “Confidence helps everyone meet new people, manage stress, and stand up to even the harshest of criticism.”

This new confidence will help you meet new people, manage stress better, and stand up for yourself!to even the harshest of criticism.

Public speaking and communication abilities are an incredible asset even for professionals not in leadership roles.

If you feel like you have big reasons that are holding you back – don’t be afraid.

If you just have PASSION about your job, story, message, background, or the reason you want to help others – I can help you.

MY passion is helping others. I teach my clients how to improve their self-confidence and speak on stage, in front of small groups or in the media.

If you would like help, please book a free consultation with me here. Also, join our Facebook community for lots of free public speaking and media tips.

It’s never too late.

Kathryn Janicek is a three-time Emmy Award-winning television producer with 20 years of experience working in newsrooms across the country. Kathryn coached talent, producers, and writers before switching her focus on helping entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Now, based in her home city of Chicago, she is a much sought-after media coach and public speaking trainer who will help you produce the best YOU. Click HERE now to book a complimentary 30-minute consultation with Kathryn!

Dude, what’s your car saying about you? A lesson in keeping your message simple.

August 23, 2017/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

Home Depot. Trip #189.
I’m tired. Dirty. And starting to think those hot dogs they sell in front look good. That’s pretty damn hungry.

We get back to the car and see this parking:

Dude, what is your car saying about you?
What are you trying to have it communicate? What’s the message?
I’m lost.

Sure, I can think of a dozen or so things you may mean, but I can’t be exactly sure.
When I posted this picture on my Facebook page, some people saw the message in how you were parked before the license plate.

Have you ever thought you were being clever, but you got blank stares instead of a laugh?

There is such a thing as too clever. It’s when your audience is lost. They don’t get it and good luck getting them back on board. You’ll move on, but they’ll still be a mile back wondering what you meant.

If you want to get your message to your audience, remember to KISS.

Keep It Simple Stupid.

I have no idea where I first heard this – but it’s been with me at least as long as I’ve been in TV. When you’re writing copy for news, you want to keep it simple. If you don’t – and you’re too clever – your audience will miss the next few lines that come out of your mouth because they’ll be stuck trying to figure out what you said a few seconds ago.

In BIG D’s case — if he doesn’t want people to think he means all the D words I can think of… then, it might be a good idea just to say what he means.

Kathryn Janicek is a three-time Emmy Award-winning television producer with 20 years of experience working in newsrooms across the country. Kathryn coached talent, producers, and writers before switching her focus on helping entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Now, based in her home city of Chicago, she is a much sought-after media coach and public speaking trainer who will help you produce the best YOU. Click HERE now to book a complimentary 30-minute consultation with Kathryn!

What We Learned From the Total Solar Eclipse That Can Make Us All Better Human Beings

August 22, 2017/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

If you’re like me, you were confused about all the information surrounding what glasses to wear during yesterday’s eclipse.

We can learn a lot about the need for multiple sources from the total solar eclipse story.

Like many news stories – some of the information was right, some was wrong. Whether you read the paper or watched your favorite meteorologist, you heard about 100 different ways to watch it. We heard things like go to Home Depot or Lowe’s and get welder’s glasses. Then we heard the welder’s glasses had to be #10s or they have to be #12s. It kept changing. I went to about four different Home Depot and Lowe’s the last 3 or 4 days (we just bought a new house and we’ve been regulars at the home improvement stores) and they were all sold out. ALL the grades of welder’s glasses. Probably the first time in history. Therefore, there were people looking up at the sun with the wrong glasses. Glasses that may give them a false sense of safety.

What’s scary, is there was not one message out in the media the last couple of weeks about what kind of glasses or what kind of cereal box or what kind of thing you can create or make to watch the eclipse with you and your kids (not your pets). In fact, NASA was trying to keep up with it all so it could let people know what was the real info to follow.

My husband works in healthcare and he was at a conference last week in Orlando where he was given glasses that were supposed to be great for the eclipse. A couple of days later – he received an email from the conference organizers telling all attendees to throw away the glasses. They weren’t safe. Even health care experts gave their people the wrong glasses.

I ended up working all day and just watched the eclipse live on WGN-TV. I knew the most passionate person would be meteorologist, Tom Skilling. I was NOT disappointed. In fact, he made news covering the story. He was so happy, overwhelmed and tired – that he started crying. You can read more about that here. I worked with Tom at WGN. Tom is exactly what you see on TV. He’s LOVES his job. He LOVES people. He stops and talks to every person who calls his name. There are not a lot of people in TV like Tom.

The solar eclipse story is a good example of why you, as an informed citizen, need to watch many, many, many sources of news.

Look what happened with the coverage of Charlottesville, Virginia. It hit on a Friday night and into Saturday when there’s less TV news coverage. So if you jumped over to Twitter for your news and only follow a certain kind of person — you would think it’s one story while it could be something entirely different.

Journalists covering the racial violence in Charlottesville struggled to find the right words to tell you the story. Some sanitized it. Some didn’t show the most hateful pictures. They censored much of what you saw on TV. A big reason is you can’t show “bad” words on TV.

So you – as a viewer – don’t get the big picture.

This is why you have to watch, read, follow and listen to many sources of news.

If you just watch FOX News, it’s really important to watch CNN a few times a week. Throw in some BBC too so you can see another viewpoint on what’s going on here in the United States and in other countries.

If you follow people like David Duke (for example) you saw his brand of news Saturday. I follow him because I like to see what EVERYONE is saying. I like to see the news people are disseminating, so I can understand when people have certain thoughts or beliefs. I don’t censor my viewing or reading. I WANT to know what’s being shared. I want to know what people think. People who aren’t like me. People who don’t have the same beliefs. If I have a better picture of the world – I personally feel that I can be a better person. I can better understand how people feel and why they feel a certain way.

Here’s a really quick way or you to get a lot of news first thing each morning from many sources. Click here —–> theSkimm.

Don’t censor yourself by watching one news channel or reading one source of news on the web. Broaden your sources so you can be a more informed person and possibly, a more understanding person.

If you watch or read only one source of news and believe it — you could get a lot more than just retina damage.

PS: Congratulations to Mission 2 Organize – Professional Organizing & Productivity! I’m happy to have been able to land them this article on moving. Articles like this are great to help you with SEO and get more people looking at your website!

Kathryn Janicek is a three-time Emmy Award-winning television producer with 20 years of experience working in newsrooms across the country. Kathryn coached talent, producers, and writers before switching her focus on helping entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Now, based in her home city of Chicago, she is a much sought-after media coach and public speaking trainer who will help you produce the best YOU. Click HERE now to book a complimentary 30-minute consultation with Kathryn!

What we can learn from the total solar eclipse, that will make us all better human beings

August 22, 2017/in Uncategorized /by Kathryn Janicek

If you’re like me, you were confused about all the information surrounding what glasses to wear during yesterday’s eclipse.

We can learn a lot from the total solar eclipse story.

Like many news stories – some of the information was right, some was wrong. Whether you read the paper or watched your favorite meteorologist, you heard about 100 different ways to watch it. We heard things like go to Home Depot or Lowe’s and get welder’s glasses. Then we heard the welder’s glasses had to be #10s or they have to be #12s. It kept changing. I went to about four different Home Depot and Lowe’s the last 3 or 4 days (we just bought a new house and we’ve been regulars at the home improvement stores) and they were all sold out. ALL the grades of welder’s glasses. Probably the first time in history. Therefore, there were people looking up at the sun with the wrong glasses. Glasses that may give them a false sense of safety.

What’s scary, is there was not one message out in the media the last couple of weeks about what kind of glasses or what kind of cereal box or what kind of thing you can create or make to watch the eclipse with you and your kids (not your pets). In fact, NASA was trying to keep up with it all so it could let people know what was the real info to follow.

My husband works in healthcare and he was at a conference last week where he was given glasses that were supposed to be great for the eclipse. A couple of days later – he received an email that told all attendees to throw away the glasses. They weren’t safe. Even health care experts gave their people the wrong glasses.

I ended up working all day and just watched the eclipse live on WGN-TV. I knew the most passionate person would be meteorologist, Tom Skilling. I was NOT disappointed. In fact, he made news covering the story. He was so happy, overwhelmed and tired – that he started crying. You can read more about that here.

The solar eclipse story is a good example of why you, as an informed citizen, need to watch many, many, many sources of news.Look what happened with Charlottes’ F(?) – If you were someone who only watches or follows certain people on twitter, you would think it’s one story, but if you follow different sources on twitter, you would think the story goes this way.

Look what happened with the coverage of Charlottesville, Virginia. It hit on a Friday night and into Saturday when there’s less TV news coverage. So if you jumped over to Twitter for your news and only follow a certain kind of person — you would think it’s one story while it could be something entirely different.

Journalists covering the racial violence in Charlottesville struggled to find the right words to tell you the story. Some sanitized it. Some didn’t show the most hateful pictures. They censored much of what you saw on TV. A big reason is you can’t show “bad” words on TV.

So you – as a viewer don’t get the BIG picture.

This is why you HAVE to watch/read/follow and listen to many sources of news.

If you just watch FOX News, it’s really important to watch CNN a few times a week. Throw in some BBC too so you can see another viewpoint on what’s going on here in the United States and in other countries.

If you follow people like David Duke (for example) you saw his brand of news Saturday. I follow him because I like to see what EVERYONE is saying. I like to see the news people are disseminating, so I can understand when people have certain thoughts or beliefs. I don’t censor my viewing or reading. I WANT to know what’s being shared. I want to know what people think. People who aren’t like me. People who don’t have the same beliefs. If I have a better picture of the world – I personally feel that I can be a better person. I can better understand how people feel and why they feel a certain way.

Don’t censor yourself by watching one news channel or reading one source of news on the web. Broaden your sources so you can be a more informed person and possibly, a more understanding person.

If you watch or read only one source of news and believe it — you could get a lot more than just retina damage.

PS: Congratulations to Mission 2 Organize – Professional Organizing & Productivity! I’m happy to have been able to land them in this article on moving. This is great to help with SEO and getting more people looking at your website at https://mission2organize.com/

Boy is this my life right now… packing and unpacking!

#media #news #SEO #mediacoach

This May Offend You… But If You’re Doing It, You Are Offending Potential Customers

August 18, 2017/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

My husband and I closed on a home a few weeks ago. We lost it at first, but the sale ended up going through. You can learn from what happened to us. Here’s what you can do so you don’t let a sale slip through your fingers.

For the past two weeks, I’ve hosted all kinds repairmen (they were all guys, not being sexist) and salespeople to give us quotes on everything from windows to a new lawn.

Overwhelmingly, I found that companies need to get serious about something they’re probably too afraid to address.

I’m not afraid.

So today, we’re getting serious about stink.

I know… it’s tough to talk about. You may have a co-worker who wears WAY too much cologne or perfume — or an employee who smokes what smells like a pack of cigs right before every meeting. It’s something you HAVE to talk about. Especially if you have salespeople. Which we all are, right? No matter what you do for a company – you’re selling that brand.

Tuesday, there was the guy from a hugely popular appliance store in the Chicago area who showed up wearing what smelled like a bottle of cologne.

Later that afternoon, a plumber came in smelling like he was STILL smoking. It was oozing out of his pores.

This is a big deal. You may have a client who won’t want to work with your company again because of that one representative.

You may not close a deal because a company won’t want to work with the “stinky perfume lady”.

This is not off the table to talk about with your employees or to even address in an employee guide along with wardrobe. It’s a piece of public speaking and sales that cannot be ignored.

I talk more about it here:

Do you have a media or public speaking question you’d like addressed? Join me live every Thursday at 1pm central on Facebook for new topics and live Q&A.

Kathryn Janicek is a three-time Emmy Award-winning television producer with 20 years of experience working in newsrooms across the country. Kathryn coached talent, producers, and writers before switching her focus on helping entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Now, based in her home city of Chicago, she is a much sought-after media coach and public speaking trainer who will help you produce the best YOU. Click HERE now to book a complimentary 30 minute consultation with Kathryn!

Don’t Do What This SNL Comic Did on TV

August 16, 2017/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

Did you watch the summer edition of Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update?

I missed those guys. With Russia, North Korea, Scaramucci, other White House staffing changes, immigration… they had plenty of material.

What was NOT funny, was how Leslie Jones’ assistants, producers, and other staff let her down. Do NOT let this happen to you on TV or on stage:

Later today on my Facebook page, I’m talking about one thing that can turn off a customer or the group you’re speaking in front of today, tomorrow or next week. Find out now before you BLOW IT.

You may have no idea you’re doing it… and people could be cutting meetings short with you because of it. I’ll break it down for you on today’s LIVE training.

To make sure you get on right on time for my Facebook Live training, like my page and have the notifications turned on like this:

See you soon! (And don’t forget your deodorant checks.)

Kathryn Janicek is a three-time Emmy Award-winning television producer with 20 years of experience working in newsrooms across the country. Kathryn coached talent, producers, and writers before switching her focus on helping entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Now, based in her home city of Chicago, she is a much sought-after media coach and public speaking trainer who will help you produce the best YOU. Click HERE now to book a complimentary 30 minute consultation with Kathryn!

How to Grow a Career in Public Speaking (Or Perfect Your Pitch to the Media)

August 10, 2017/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

Have you ever met a really BORING person? Been on a first date – and wondered how someone could really be that bland? Are you sitting in a meeting right now listening to a person go on and on… about nothing?

Are you afraid you might be that person?

The best piece of advice I give clients considering a career in public speaking or using the media to advance their career or business is…

Have a relatable story.

You MUST have a story people can relate to if you’re going to get up and speak in public, or if you’d like to sell your business by using the media.

No producer or writer is going to publish a story about your grand opening or sale. But if you have a story, like maybe you’re donating 30% to a charity that’s been in the news recently… or there’s something really special about the owner of the company… you have a much better chance.

Numbers are great – but stories are better.

You may have a great success story at your company. Numbers are way up. Bosses are happy. The way to break through to an audience and show what those numbers really mean is to tell a story. Explain what those numbers mean. For example, you can talk about how many new people you were able to hire because numbers are up. Highlight a person you hired and their story.

You need a compelling story of human interest.

Remember: the media has a job to do – and that’s to make sure their audience watches, reads, sticks with them even after a commercial, learns something and keeps coming back for more. Here are a few quick thoughts I shared recently, live on my Facebook page.

Give the media something good to work with and you’ll have a better chance of seeing your story run.

Also, find out who’s looking for that kind of story so you’re not just sending out press releases to everyone. There will be media outlets that don’t even do your kind of story or that don’t book people like you as guests or experts.

At the end of the day, the most important thing whether you’re giving a presentation about your company or you’re trying to get your company in the news is to have a relevant story that hooks the audience and entertains them.

PS: The last two videos I posted really hit a chord. They were the most shared of any of my videos. In case you missed them, here’s how to check them out:

Kathryn Janicek is a three-time Emmy Award-winning television producer with 20 years of experience working in newsrooms across the country. Kathryn coached talent, producers, and writers before switching her focus on helping entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Now, based in her home city of Chicago, she is a much sought-after media coach and public speaking trainer who will help you produce the best YOU. Click HERE now to book a complimentary 30 minute consultation with Kathryn!

What NOT to Do When You’re on TV or Speaking in Public

August 9, 2017/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

When I’m watching TV news, my ears always perk up when I hear real estate or investing stories. The other day, I was watching CBS This Morning while running around the house.

We just purchased a house and we’re in moving mode packing and interviewing renters to live in our other place, so this story on TV particularly caught my attention.

The mayor of Reno, Nev-AA-da (she went on and on about how to properly pronounce Nevada) was on talking about the growth there, housing prices and why people were attracted to the area.

I was listening without watching – but became annoyed and distracted by something during the interview. I no longer was hearing what she was saying. Instead, I heard this clanging.

I tried to tune it out – but I couldn’t.

It was this… can you hear it?

At first, I thought it was her jewelry, but when she came back on camera, I saw it wasn’t a jewelry issue. I coach all my clients NOT to wear “loud” jewelry on camera or on stage. Not loud as in color – but loud as in banging up against your microphone. It’s very distracting.

But after they took another wide shot of her and the anchors – I could see it was her rings banging up against her coffee mug.

Lesson learned: don’t make movements that make noise and compete against your own voice. You want your audience to hear YOU and not your clothing, jewelry or shoes shuffling on the ground. Whether you’re on TV, speaking at a podium, or across the table from your executives in the boardroom, it’s your CONTENT we want them to remember — not the banging of your rings against a coffee mug.

Want to hear more? Check out what I shared live on Facebook, then be sure to follow my page for daily posts with timely news and tips. Make sure to like the page today so that you don’t miss the next live Q&A!

Kathryn Janicek is a three-time Emmy Award-winning television producer with 20 years of experience working in newsrooms across the country. Kathryn coached talent, producers, and writers before switching her focus on helping entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Now, based in her home city of Chicago, she is a much sought-after media coach and public speaking trainer who will help you produce the best YOU. Click HERE now to book a complimentary 30 minute consultation with Kathryn!

How to Turn an Internship Into a Paid Job

August 8, 2017/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

Brand new seats.

You don’t have to stand outside in the rain for tickets.

Michael Jordan’s on the move.

Have you been to the United Center in Chicago lately?

I was there yesterday because I have a client who works for one of the teams that play at the United Center. Check out what’s going on inside:

Crews are ripping out the old seats.

YES! New seats. Now, you don’t have to sit on a seat with decades old beer stains.

As I’ve been training this exec, I’ve seen the swarms of summer interns come in and out of the new executive offices. A few may move onto part-time or full-time jobs this fall, if they play their cards right.

Do you know a high school or college student looking for internships for the fall or winter? There are a few key ways they can turn that internship into a full-time job.

I had an internship at a TV station and was hired by another TV station soon after. I had a full-time job waiting for me when I graduated college.

Turning an internship into a job is key. You don’t want to wait to search for a job after you graduate. I talk about it in this recent video, shared live last week on Facebook.

Share it with students you know who are looking for an internship or share it with their parents. The information can truly help give an up-and-comer a leg up in his or her career. Have a question you’d like answered live on Facebook? Send me an email, then be sure to join me each Thursday at 1pm Central at facebook.com/kathrynjaniek.

PS: Here are more pictures from inside the United Center yesterday.

Kathryn Janicek is a three-time Emmy Award-winning television producer with 20 years of experience working in newsrooms across the country. Kathryn coached talent, producers, and writers before switching her focus on helping entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Now, based in her home city of Chicago, she is a much sought-after media coach and public speaking trainer who will help you produce the best YOU. Click HERE now to book a complimentary 30 minute consultation with Kathryn!