media Archives - Kathryn Janicek

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How to Look Better Under Stage Lights or on Camera

October 3, 2018/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

Many of my clients had a successful career, but are now looking for help with their public speaking careers.

Some are looking for opportunities to get on live TV to talk about their companies or their story.

Do you know how to prepare so you look your best?

I’m going to show you how you can look better on TV or on stage. The lights really alter our appearance.

I always suggest that my clients hire a makeup artist — but if you have to do it yourself, here are a few things you can do to make yourself look better under all those lights.

If you’re going to present on stage soon, here are three things to ask before you show up.

Video Transcription

There are a lot of things that happen when we’re live with a lot of lights. It changes us completely and I wanted to give you some things that you can do when it comes to hair and makeup to make you look the best, so you feel better, more confident. If we feel more confident, if we feel those things are dealt with, we can be more confident in our message, right? I want you to focus on the content, the things that you’re saying and not this other junk.

So, I thought I would make this video to give you a couple tips. Again, these are things you don’t have to do, I’d just like to offer them up in case you would like to do them to make yourself feel better.

The biggest thing is when there are lights on us that are normally not on us. We actually look very different. Our regular use of makeup is all of a sudden nonexistent. It disappears when we’re onstage or live on television. You may look great in person, but what happens is, these lights go on and certain features of ours disappear.

Let’s talk about hair. Hair is important. I’ll talk about men first. Men…there’s that something men do. They tend to get a haircut right before their wedding. They get a haircut right before something super important. And what happens is, our hair tends to look a little shorter. It appears that we have less hair on camera, whether you’re getting still pictures or you’re live on television. Be careful, men, before you decide to run out and get your hair cut real short. Please consider letting your hair grow out.

Some anchors that you see, they look like they have a regular haircut. But if you saw them in person, they have quite thick hair. So for men especially, tell your hairdresser or your barber to let your hair grow thicker around the sides because on camera or in pictures our hair looks a little thinner on the sides. Plus, our ears look smaller when we let our hair grow out a little bit on the sides. Also, men, if you’re balding, make sure to use a little powder on the top of your head or right where you’re balding. What happens is someone might be staring at the light reflecting off of your head instead of paying attention to your content.

For women, it’s just making sure that your hair is not distracting. If your hair is constantly in your eyes and you’re always adjusting it or you’re pushing it away, you have big thick bangs and you’re pushing it away, it’s very distracting. I’m not saying to always put a ponytail in and to keep it pulled back, when you blow dry it you want to blow dry it away from your face, your bangs are swooped away so they’re not in your eyes. You want to avoid an issue where you’re constantly touching your face or move your hair away from your face or constantly tucking. Because what happens is, people will be looking at that and noticing that instead of listening to what you’re talking about. So that’s really important.

For makeup, for everybody, a little under eye concealer. Whether you’re sleep deprived, you’re not drinking enough water, you don’t have a good skincare regimen, maybe you don’t wear SPF everyday, you’re not hydrating enough, you’re not wearing night cream…your face will show it. Your skin will definitely show it. It’s important to cover up those dark circles and bags because you want to look rested. When you look rested, you look trustworthy. When you look like you take care of yourself, you look like you can be trusted. So using a little eye coverup for men and women is really important.

Another thing, women: as we get older, our eyebrows kind of disappear. We get less hairs there. And when you put lights on us, our eyebrows really disappear. So, consider using eyeshadow. Eyeshadow’s not a big deal. Use whatever color is appropriate for you, if it’s a light brown, dark brown. Color in those eyebrows and make sure they’re defined. If they’re really thin you might want to thicken them up a little bit because the eyes are really framed by the eyebrows and we really want people to connect with you with your eyes. When you’re talking and you’re describing something that’s going on, whether you’re on TV or onstage, it’s really important that your eyes are defined.

Wear a little more eyeliner than you’re used to. I can only talk about my eyes and right now, I’m not wearing enough eyeliner. I’m just going to make that clear. I’m wearing what I’ve been wearing all day, since 6am this morning. So make sure you’re lining your eyes. For me, I would make sure I’m going all the way across to make sure they’re defined. I have very small eyes so I want to make sure I don’t overly line them up because they’ll actually look smaller. You just have to know your eyes. You might have to elongate a little bit out here so they look bigger. And I’m not going to go through a whole makeup tutorial here because I’m not a makeup artist, I’m just pointing out what you may need to do.

A little eyeshadow – because we’re talking about defining things, right? We want to define in here with a different color eyeshadow so we can see the definition of where your eyelids start and where your eyebrows start. That’s the whole thing about these lights, they kind of make everything disappear.

The other thing is mascara. I have mascara on and I have pretty darn good eyelashes but they disappear in front of these lights so you can’t even see my eyelashes right now. Some people wear fake eyelashes…I’m not suggesting that for everyone but definitely double up on that mascara. I use a regular old grocery store mascara, I use Falsies. I always go back to that. I’m tried natural because I don’t like a lot of chemicals, I’ve tried all this stuff. But I like the old Falsies because it really thickens them up and it lengthens them, so that’s what I go to and I think it’s like, 8 bucks at Walgreens or CVS. But really try to put two coats of that on. You really want your eyes to pop. Your eyes disappear completely when you’re in front of those lights.

If you’re not a big lipstick person, I don’t put lipstick on all day, I’m just not a big fan. But you need to define your lips, so definitely put on some lipstick so we can see where your lips end and your skin starts. It’s really important to define these features. I’m not saying to go all glammed out, but just define the things that you have.

And then a big thing, if you’re fair-skinned like me, I already put some blush and some bronzer on, you really want to show the definition between your chin and your neck. So, I put on a bronzer here, bronzer here. I definitely try to highlight where my cheeks are. And then I go up here because what happens is we look like one white circle as fair as I am. So just go in one big circle to show where your features start and end.

I hope that’s helpful. If you ever need me to show you specifically for your skin, or maybe for me to hook you up with a makeup artist, let me know. Those are just a couple tips that I have that I suggest to people. Also, with that bronzer, I go down the neck because I like to show where this is and where this starts. I know there’s a bazillion other things to do but those are just a couple things to get you through. I hope that’s helpful!

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 consultation with Kathryn.

3 Things to Ask Before you Show up to a Public Speaking Gig

May 23, 2018/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

Many of my clients had a successful career, but are now looking for help with their public speaking careers.
They’re an expert – and have a story to tell.

Do you know how to prepare so you hit your presentations out of the park?

These are three things to ask before you show up to a public speaking gig.

Before you really ever present.

Let’s produce the best you!

Try them and let me know how it worked out.

How to avoid the mistake the White House made this week

January 30, 2018/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

I send out an email almost daily that goes to clients, former clients and future clients.

On Sunday, I sent a media tip that many would say is obvious.

Kind of a “no duh.”

I even called it “unsexy.”

But au contraire, my friend…

How to avoid the mistake the White House make this week

I’m sure you’ve heard by now that tickets to President Donald J. Trump’s first State of the Union address originally said State of the “Uniom.”

The tickets issued to lawmakers’ spouses and guests contained the typo. The tickets were printed by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper. They had to be reissued.

“It was corrected immediately, and our office is redistributing the tickets,” a spokesman for the sergeant at arms told Agence France-Presse.

One news outlet reported that the State of the Union tickets actually had two typos: In addition to “Uniom,” they referred to the “Visitor’s Gallery.” It’s actually the Visitors’ Gallery.

This isn’t the first time. Not long after President Trump was sworn into office in January of last year, the White House misspelled British Prime Minister Theresa May’s name—three times. THREE times. Her name is “Theresa” May, but they spelled it “Teresa” May. “Teresa” (with no h) May, happens to be a model and porn actress.

The original version of Trump’s presidential inauguration poster also featured a typo. The message over his photo read “No dream is too big, no challenge is to great,” with the second “o” missing from the second “too.”

Then there was the time the White House issued a statement before Trump’s trip to Israel, saying that he hoped the visit would “promote the possibility of lasting peach,” instead of “peace.” Yes, we all love the fuzzy fruit… but, come on.

And the White House Snapchat account referred to Betsy DeVos as the “Secretary of Educatuon.” Awesome.

Of course, Mr. Trump himself has had his own share of typos like the famous “covfefe.”

It happens.

It’s not uncommon.

And, it’s totally unacceptable.

Before you read my blogs, someone else does.

Actually… he hears them.

I read them to my husband before I hit “publish.”
If he’s not around, I read them aloud a few times.

Sometimes he helps me nail down a point.
Most times he just listens and says “great!”
I love that.

Here are two really unsexy media tips that may be the most important things you do:

Have someone else read everything you write before it’s sent out.
Always read your work out loud before you send it.

I’m talking about social media posts, blogs, big emails to your staff (you never know what might be forwarded to the media), speeches, quotes you’re giving to a magazine or newspaper… you get the point.

Here’s why I do it:
You’re way too important for me not to have another set of eyes on these emails.
I’m not perfect.

Here’s why you should do it:
Every bit of information that’s sent out or posted is a reflection of you and your company.
You’re not perfect.

Every bit of information that’s sent out or posted is a reflection of you and your company.

You’re not perfect.

In our beautiful imperfections… we miss stuff.

Our brain sometimes moves so quickly – we actually will “see” the right word that should be there… even though there is a misspelling or the wrong word there entirely.

When we read our work aloud — we catch more errors.

When you have someone else quickly do a once-over… it’s even better.

Told you it’s not very sexy.

But I guarantee – you’ll be more effective in sharing your story.

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 get on TV (or anywhere else in the media)

January 24, 2018/1 Comment/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

So you have a story to tell and you think the news should tell it?

You want to help more people by getting on a major platform like television?

You saw a guy you went to college with, you two have the same amount of experience… yet HE ALWAYS gets interviewed when the news is looking for someone in your industry?

Want “the news” to talk about YOUR company and give it a big boost in sales?

I hear it all the time.

“Why doesn’t the news call me? I have the best (fill in the blank).”

Here’s the BIG SECRET:

If you want it, you have to go get it.

The majority of the time, they’re not hunting down people to interview.

YOU have to make the call, email, text….

So, how do you do that?

Media training.

Media training teaches you:

How to create a story that is marketable to the media
How to dig up the marketable, sellable and pitchable story that’s inside of you or your company
How to present that story to the media
Who you need to talk to… who the major players are that make the decisions on what story to run, where to run it (and which to delete)
What to say when you get the booking
What to wear on TV, in a magazine shoot, for a newspaper shoot, or on radio (seriously… ask me why)
The best haircut/style for your face on TV
How to do your makeup for TV so you look alive but don’t look too made-up (and not like yourself)
How to carry yourself physically during the interview
Verbal delivery skills
How to answer a question when you don’t want to answer a question
How to answer a question when you can’t answer a question (proprietary information, part of an active investigation… or you just don’t know the answer)
How to frame your message during the interview
How to get the interviewer focused on the message that you want to focus on
Where the story will show up
How long to wait for the story to show up
How to get your website link on air, in an article or mentioned on the radio
How to share the story later to take advantage of the media hit and gain more followers (or make more sales)

Media training gives you the skills to develop a strong, clear message that sticks with your audience. It positions you to deliver it effectively and impactfully. Media training is also the best way to develop strong skills when it comes to interacting with the media, making sure your message isn’t lost or misinterpreted through nerves.

Media trainers work with individuals and teams of people.

I am a professional media trainer with 20+ years of experience in TV. (I have a bunch of Emmy Awards too.)

I coach on how to use appropriate body language, strong message building, and how to navigate those uncomfortable questions. The training experience arms you with what you need to effectively and confidently engage with the media.

Not convinced you need it? Here’s a little more …

It puts you in control of your interviews

You’ve seen or heard it before: an interview that is a complete flop. The person being interviewed forgets his or her key points, forgets important information, or flat out stumbles the whole way through.

The journalist may be the one asking you the questions, but in reality, you are in control of the interview. A media trainer works with you on composure and focusing on key messages so you can create the outcome you want in the interview. When your responses are clear and delivered well, you are able to subtly but strongly steer the interview the direction you want.

It teaches you to navigate the hard questions

Even if you are in control of your interview, you are still going to be faced with the hard questions. These questions may put you on the spot and be difficult to answer. With media training, you’re armed with skills to answer these tough questions. Your media trainer will practice these tough questions to prep you and craft answers that help you stay in control of the interview. This helps you feel confident going into an interview that may have particularly tough questions, even if they come at you unexpectedly.

It polishes your personal delivery

When you speak on television, the audience is watching your body language and facial expressions. People pick up on these things and they pay close attention to them. Media training teaches you how to use your words, tone, and body language to deliver your message in a powerful and effective way.

In addition to delivery, media training can help with interviewing anxiety. For those who are terrified by interviews, especially live radio and/or television ones, developing interview skills and confidence can be the most beneficial part of the media training experience. You’ll face every interview head-on without worrying about getting stuck.

Media training helps you even if you have NO desire to be in the media. Because of the training, my clients are better on stage, during job interviews, and presenting in front of small groups at work.

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.

Chris Farley & How to Avoid the Media Mistakes I Made

December 19, 2017/1 Comment/in Blog, Uncategorized /by Kathryn Janicek

Most of the time, you don’t know when your media opportunity is coming. Here’s an inside look at the media mistakes I made, to help you prepare for your own moment in the spotlight.

Comedian and actor, Chris Farley, died 20-years ago. He was a superstar in the 90s at the time I was in college. He died after a long battle with addiction. He was only thirty-three and was already the greatest physical comedian of my generation. He didn’t survive — but he left behind many stories. This is mine.

“Kathryn! You’re on TV… call me!”

“Kathryn, I just saw you on E!”

“Kathryn! I didn’t know you dated….. Chris Farley?!?”

Ten messages on my answering machine.

It was 1999… and I was just months out of college and at my first full-time TV job.

I heard the messages right after walking in the door after producing the news all night at WCIA in Champaign, Illinois. I was so tired, I had to listen to them again to understand what was going on. Then I called someone to get the scoop.

The “E! True Hollywood Story” on Chris Farley premiered the night before. It described Chris’ time at Saturday Night Live, at Marquette University, his drug abuse… and my picture came up in the show over and over. It was not flattering. Because of how I looked… and what the announcer track was saying while my pictures were coming up. Here’s a clip.

Chris Farley died during my senior year of college. The dean of my college called me over Christmas break and asked me to head back to school early so I could plan the memorial Mass at Marquette University. I was the president of my college and Chris went to Marquette.

The year prior, Chris came back to campus to accept an award. This is also the last time I wore a dress this low-cut. THIS is the event where my pictures were taken along with dozens of other students with Chris. After Chris died, producers from E! went to Marquette to collect pictures. The dean handed them over… and the producers didn’t keep track — so editors used pictures of me in places that the track was not referring to me. I clearly did not date Chris, nor was I part of his downward spiral into drinking… as the E! story said.

On the day of the memorial Mass — I had Chris’ family there, bagpipers and Pat Finn to give the eulogy. (You’ve probably seen Pat in The Middle, Friends and Seinfeld… he’s great.) His eulogy was hilarious and loving. He told stories that illustrated Chris as a student… to us, a chapel full of students. I wish I had video of it in its entirety. He also told stories of how Chris would make regular trips to the Joan of Arc chapel on campus to pray… talk to God… and just be alone.

After the service, the local stations wanted to interview me.

I didn’t even think about this possibility.

I was unprepared. (I know much better now… I was 20 then.)

As a young broadcast journalism student who wanted to be a reporter (as I thought at the time)… I blew my chance. I gave the all-time lamest soundbite. It’s here if you want to see it:

Between the low-cut dress at the awards event the year before and the soundbite at the service — these are the first two mistakes I made when it comes to media and public speaking.

But I learned a lot.

When the story on E! aired, I was a young TV producer. This taught me to be very careful when writing to pictures and video. Make sure the track matches the visuals. A mistake can hurt someone’s reputation.
Be ready for anything.
Watch the makeup. Don’t let it be a distraction.
Dress how you would want to be portrayed in pictures or on video — especially if you’re going to a high-profile event. You never know who may see the picture.
Have your elevator speech ready. What will you say if the media shows up? How will you answer if someone at that wedding asks you what you do, or why you’re “in between jobs,” or what you’re looking for in your next role? What will you say when they ask you what your company does? Remember — quick responses that stick with your audience.

I coach clients so they’re ready when their opportunity comes.
Most times – you don’t even know your opportunity’s coming.
You need to be ready now.

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!

Preparing for an emergency like the Las Vegas shootings

October 4, 2017/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

My prayers are with you – especially if you had friends or family hurt in the Las Vegas murders. My prayers are with all of us as we keep going forward after each shooting. After each mass casualty.

After any major event, experts are needed for the media coverage.

A few hours into the Las Vegas coverage Monday, I started working on a project for a Chicago TV booker. She was searching for law enforcement professionals for an interview regarding the shooting.

After 20+ years in media, I know lots of good men and women who are currently in or retired from law enforcement.

I reached out to former Chicago Deputy Police Chief, Joe Gandurski, to see if he was available to do some TV.

This isn’t something we want to think about — but here is what the former deputy police chief suggests you do to plan for an emergency like the Las Vegas shootings.

Please read and share this post with your friends. I hope you never have to use this information.

First, here’s the link to the segment I booked Gandurski on. He was live on Chicago’s WCIU-TV yesterday morning.

Now, here are the details from former Deputy Chicago Police Chief, Joe Gandurski, so you can easily share them with friends:

The main goal in any such situation is to survive it. In some of the school shootings simply locking the classroom door was sufficient to save many. In a situation like Las Vegas, a person needs to do whatever he or she can to survive, there are thousands of people in the venue. No one knows what is going on, there is a good while before the situation is grasped, then panic, and what to do? Everyone starts running toward the exits. New possibilities of being trampled, etc. People are dropping around you, no one knows where the shots are coming from, what to do?

The answer to that question is that you use all your instincts and senses and intuition to decide what to do. Your immediate goal is to move from the open to cover, any cover, under the stage, under the sound control area, behind a cement light stand, a concession stand, and then observe and move with the goal of separating yourself distance wise from the shooter as you deem his/her location, a clue is that bodies are not dropping around you. Some folks in Vegas scrambled under cars.

Remember concealment may hide you but may not stop a bullet. Cell phones may be useless with everyone calling. Stay alert, keep a low profile, stay out of the open. If you decide to move, have a place to duck or cover on the way to reach your next position. Move quickly and not in a straight line.

As a preventative measure, one should always:

evaluate the conditions of the venue
determine where to go if something like this happens
locate the exits
avoid wearing flip-flops or heels and wear clothing that allows you to move unrestricted and protects you from debris
identify good cover and concealment areas
keep your wits about you and be alert
be alert to the possibility of multiple shooters at multiple locations
be flexible and alert to circumstances as they unfold

The way to help the wounded is to move to safety and report what you saw to authorities. Let them help and treat the wounded. They have equipment and experience. Remember also that law enforcement will be just as confused at the beginning. In this situation, there was probably no way to determine where the shots were coming from for quite a while. When they arrive, they will be looking for information, anyone armed, anyone injured. If you have a weapon in view, you could be shot by responding police.

This is a behavior-changing situation. The idea of going to a concert and getting wasted on alcohol or drugs and having fun is now a risk that people should seriously consider.

——————————-

Thank you to former Deputy Chicago Police Chief, Joe Gandurski for those tips.

Please share this post with your friends.

Again, I hope you will never have to use this information.

Be safe,

Kathryn

How to save face in an interview and deflect like Jane Fonda

September 29, 2017/in Blog /by Kathryn Janicek

You’re interviewing for a job.

You’re getting ready for a media interview.

But you’re afraid — what if they ask you a question that you don’t want to answer? Or can’t answer?

I’m going to show you exactly what Jane Fonda did this week – and how you can do the same when you don’t want to answer a question during a media interview or in a job interview.

First, some background…

————-

She tried.

It blew up.

She looked dumb.

I’m talking about Megyn Kelly.

Did you see this video? Watch starting at 1:30 in:

Jane Fonda was on Megyn Kelly’s new hour of NBC’s TODAY show to promote Fonda’s new Netflix movie, Our Souls at Night, with Robert Redford.

During the interview, the former Fox News host asked about Fonda’s plastic surgery, “I read that you said you’re not proud to admit you’ve had work done. Why not?”

Fonda stared at Kelly and then answered: “We really want to talk about that right now?”

Kelly quickly replied, “One of the things people think about you when they look at you is how amazing you look.”

Fonda credited her “good attitude, good posture,” and then turned the segment subject back to Our Souls at Night. “But let me tell you why I love this movie that we did, Our Souls at Night, rather than plastic surgery,” Fonda said.

Brilliant.

This is what we call art, deflecting and professionalism.

I’m going to teach you how to do this, but first…

Here are some lessons learned from this interview if you’re in the media:

Even female members of the media fall into sexist traps. Don’t let yourself.
Jane Fonda has never liked discussing the procedures she’s undergone to age gracefully. You know this. Do not ask sexist and unimportant questions. The female race is not made up of idiots. We know she’s had work. We can see it. Why not just ask her about Vietnam too right in the middle of an interview about her new movie with Robert Redford?
If you’re going to ask a woman about her plastic surgery, do not ask in front of a man she’s been in love with for decades. It’s tacky. Would you do this in person, at a party?

At the end of the day, I wish I knew who her doctor is – I have several clients who would love to look as good as Jane Fonda when they’re her age. Me too.

————————————————————–

Now for you, my fellow business professionals… there’s a wonderful lesson for us in how Fonda answered this question.

Fonda has spent her career answering difficult questions especially after her comments on the Vietnam War that infuriated much of the United States.

Whether or not you believe in what she fights for – she’s an expert in interviewing.

YOU can learn from her.

Politicians, like President Donald Trump, have mastered the art of deflection. I want you to be just as prepared when you need to change the subject during an interview.

Here’s how to deflect like the pros and deal with the tough questions:

Acknowledge the question, but don’t answer it. “Great question, but what we should be looking at is…”
Question the question. Question the question when it’s based on false information or factually inaccurate. You can also question the question when it’s too personal. Also, try asking for more information: “I’d love to answer that… but I need clarification.” “I’d love to answer that… but please let me know what you mean by those numbers.” Turn the question onto the interviewer: “Why do you ask me that?” This is what Fonda did during the interview on TODAY. Kelly asked the question and Fonda replied, “We really want to talk about that right now?”
Refuse to answer. Not your area of responsibility? Refuse to answer and give the name of the person who can.
Partially answer. Start to answer but then change the subject right away. This is what Fonda did in this example: Fonda: “We really want to talk about that right now?” Kelly: “One of the things people think about you when they look at you is how amazing you look.” Fonda: “good attitude, good posture… But let me tell you why I love this movie that we did, Our Souls at Night, rather than plastic surgery.”
Explain that the question has already been answered. “We’ve addressed this.” “I’m not going to go over old ground.”

I know there are examples in your head now that you’d seen the strategy. If not, you’re going to notice this all the time going forward. Learn from the good and bad examples during live interviews.

Is there an interview that you’ve seen that’s a great example of deflecting? Share the links below so we can all learn from them.

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!

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!