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Telling Your Story: Landing & Leveraging Media Opportunities

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Have you ever had your message miscommunicated? Via a promotion? Through your salespeople? In the media? It can hurt your message and damage your confidence!

So let’s get out in front by talking through how to sell your story so that your message isn’t misconstrued.

This week live on Facebook, I shared how to find the right story to tell  – and how to tell it to the right media at the right time.

I was also joined by special guest Julie Holton, the Principal Strategist and Owner of MConnexions  for a deeper dive into how to leverage that attention with some marketing must-do’s.

Every company has a story to tell – let’s find yours! Click below to watch the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0clk3X5NX1Q&t=3s

 

Kathryn Janicek | Media Coach, Producer, Public Speaking Trainer
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.

How to Prepare for & React to a Media Crisis (so it doesn’t become a bigger deal)

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Imagine…

Something terrible happens – and the media is calling and beating your door down.

You hide.

You don’t know what to do or what to say.

You did nothing wrong — but you just handled the situation wrong. And now, there are accusations online, your employees are confused, and the media won’t. just. go. away.

You can go from normal to a media crisis in minutes. An employee sends out a racist tweet. You lay off workers. Your CEO gets in a car crash and he was drinking. There’s a video of your employees doing something illegal.

What could happen at your company?

Every organization is vulnerable to a crisis. If you ignore it – it doesn’t disappear.

Maybe it’s not even your crisis – but it’s a vendor’s or a client of yours is having a crisis. Maybe you’re a law firm, a financial firm, an accounting firm… and you have clients who have a crisis. If you know how to help them — you can save them.

TRUST ME – if you don’t prepare – you’ll be worse off.

  • The impact to your financial and reputational bottom line will be more severe.
  • Employees and other stakeholders will not know what’s happening and will become confused and angry.
  • Your organization will be perceived as inept and possibly criminally negligent.
  • The media crisis will last MUCH longer. 

Why trust ME?

I have 20+ years of media experience as a TV and social media producer, executive producer, writer and news director. I have seen the good and the ugly. I helped manage my TV station’s 9/11 coverage.

As the spokesperson for the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, I handled all communications for one of the biggest news events in Minnesota: the 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Talk about a crisis. The eight-lane, steel truss arch bridge that carried Interstate 35W across the Mississippi River collapsed into the river during rush hour on August 1, 2007. Thirteen people were killed. 145 were hurt. First thought was terrorism, then it quickly became a structural issue. I was in charge of all local, national and international media – even over the federal response.

The basic steps of effective crisis communications are not difficult, but they require work in order to minimize the damage.

Are you serious about crisis preparedness?

Here is what you need to do:

 

What Facebook Live can do for you (i.e. increase sales)

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Don’t know how to make a Facebook Live land you new business leads?

Is your only production knowledge from watching Wayne’s World? “Camera one, camera two… camera one, camera two.”

Think it’s all a waste of time?

My Facebook Live show this week answered all your questions:

  • Why should I be on Facebook Live?
  • How do I use it to land more sales?
  • How can I set up Facebook Live to fit MY budget?
I’ve been going live since 1998 as a TV producer. Longer than most people you’ve seen call themselves “live video experts”. My background is in making other people look great while broadcasting live on TV. Once Periscope got on the scene — I jumped all over that going live from TV shoots in Hawaii and other destinations. On Facebook, I have taken viewers like you live to:
  • a TV shoot in Mississippi where I was covering a historic case
  • Kansas the week of the 2016 presidential election to show what the middle of the country was thinking
  • and I also do live shows on Facebook to share how you can gain the media’s attention and improve your public speaking skills.

I LOVE live video. But honestly, I love PRODUCING live video. Without doing my own Facebook Lives, I was missing out on the MARKETING POWER Facebook Live has for everyone like me who owns a company.
Don’t be like me in 2016… missing out on all that marketing power. Missing out on the clients I could have landed.

Watch this video to find out:

  • Why people will see your Facebook Live faster than any blog you post
  • How you can promote new products or services on Facebook Live
  • How Facebook Live creates trust with your audience
  • How it helps your marketing strategy
  • Why you should interview your CEO on Facebook Live
  • How to share the video later and integrate it into your overall marketing strategy
  • What kind of equipment you need to do a high-quality FB Live (without busting your budget)

I’ll be going live again next Thursday at 1 pm Central so mark it in your calendars, set an alarm, whatever you need to do to make sure you’re here on my Facebook page. Oh, and send me your media or public speaking questions and I’ll answer them live.

Join Kathryn Janicek Live Every Thursday on Facebook at 1pm Central

5 Ways to Land Media (Without Spending a Fortune)

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Do you want to help your company get noticed by the media and gain more customers? But… you don’t know how to start? You’ve landed in the right place!

As someone who spent 20 years working in the media, I have experience and knowledge to share! I’ve put together a free eBook with five things you can do this week, so that you can deliver your message to your audience — and make sure they remember it!

When you shouldn’t go skinny dipping…

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Now, there’s nothing wrong with skinny dipping in your backyard pool… but you can get burned in places.. well, you know what I mean. No one wants that.

I had two amazing people with loads of experience to pitch this week for media interviews.

Their backgrounds are full of the expertise that should have landed them media.

The problem?

The reporters googled my experts and they didn’t have a website or any other online marketing to back up their expertise.

It’s something I had mentioned to them – but they didn’t believe me that it mattered.

Listen: it matters.

It’s like going swimming in the ocean without your suit.​​​​​​​

Here’s what one reporter sent me. I blacked out some info and names to keep everyone’s privacy.

 

This writer could have just NOT responded. Instead, she replied with WHY she wasn’t going to use my expert. She gave my client really good information that will help him ramp up and score his next media opportunity.

Are you too busy to think about all of this?

Don’t think online marketing will do you any good?

Don’t know how to update your LinkedIn?

Have no idea how to create a professional company page on Facebook or LinkedIn?

Don’t have a website yet?

Don’t think you need an updated headshot?

Seventy percent of job seekers find their next job on LinkedIn thanks to a connection they have there. 70%!

Your future customers are there too. Looking for someone just like you.

I’m here for you. Just not if you feel like skinny dipping.

Are you ready to maximize your digital brand and get media/a new job/new customers/public speaking opportunities? I have a few more openings this week for free 30-minute phone consultations. Let’s talk.​​​​​​​

What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas

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I was in Vegas last weekend. My husband and I wanted to get away for some pool time before a busy June hit. (It was also my birthday weekend.)

I dumped a few hundred down some slots and he made a hefty deposit while playing the tables. Thank you, Steve Wynn.

We flew in Thursday and didn’t hear about the terror threat until we landed that afternoon. Law enforcement was already boosted by the time we hit the ground. Vegas was a target because an ISIS propaganda video called for lone wolf attacks showed several Las Vegas Strip properties.

No one was really talking about it inside the casinos. Possibly because they were on vacation and drinking too many of these tasty little watermelon and vodka punches. I do know security was ramped up. Kathy Griffin also talked about it during her show. (This was three days before the President Trump beheading video.)

In my head – I was prepared for anything.

I wore sandals at dinners and shows instead of the heels that remained in my luggage. I kept my bag packed and my phone charged. (Speaking of purses… take a look at the tiny little chair waiters bring you for your bag during dinner? They’re really looking out for the girl who doesn’t want to place her handbag on the floor.)

It might be the news producer in me or because I spent three years in law enforcement… or was it all those years in Girl Scouts? I was ready.

My husband? He thought I was being a little ridiculous. But – you never can be too ready.

It’s a little like the bag I bring along on shoots for my clients. I have makeup for men and women. Deodorant, tape, body tape, things to stick in your bra to make your clothing look better, hair ties, blotters, eye cream, my favorite all-natural throat lozenges (ask me about them, they’re amazing)… you name it. You never know what your client will need. My job is to be ready and make them look and sound as best as possible.

Are you ready for your next emergency?

Ready for when the media calls?

Ready to perform?

Ready for your next boardroom pitch/interview/meeting/public speaking event/Facebook Live?

Here are some quick tips on how to prepare that I recently shared live on Facebook (please don’t mind the random thoughts and special appearance by my dog Mariel – when we’re live on Facebook, anything goes!):

I have an entire summer of ways you can get in the media or improve your public speaking — so make sure I’m making it into your inbox and not your spam! Not signed up for my free tips yet? Head on over to this page to start learning how you can get yourself noticed (and make more money).

PS: If you’re going to be in Vegas anytime soon… make sure to catch the Fogerty show. Worth every cent and more. Here’s just a taste of him performing with his sons. What a moment.

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Are you touching yourself?

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It’s a very important question.

You could be doing it – and have NO idea.

Most people don’t.

They do it in meetings, at their desk, in interviews, even on stage!

It’s really not a good thing.

I had a client who did it at the beginning of his media training with me yesterday… and with my help, he stopped. You can too.

Do YOU touch your face? At work, in meetings, during interviews or on stage? You shouldn’t.

Not only is it gross because you’re transferring bacteria, allergens and viruses to your face — but it’s also a dead giveaway that you’re uncomfortable with the situation.

When you rub your face, you’re calming yourself down because there are nerve endings there. Giving yourself a good temple rub in the bathroom is okay… but don’t do it in public IF you care what others think.

People absorb all the things you do PHYSICALLY while you’re speaking to them. They take that in as content. Not just what you SAY.

If you don’t really care what people think of you – then rub away. If you’re in sales, have a leadership role, looking to move up or own a company… you DO care… and it’s definitely something to work on.

This is why I record my clients on video. Sometimes they have no idea what they look like while they’re talking until they see what I shoot. It’s much easier to fix issues when you’re aware of them.

Try shooting video of yourself.

Positive body language could definitely help you become a more effective leader.

Would you like help? Click here for a free strategy session on the phone or on Skype.

What United Airlines Should Have Done to Avoid the PR & Media Crisis

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By now, you’ve seen the videos.
You’ve heard the news reports.
You’ve read all your friends’ posts on Facebook about what they say United Airlines and the doctor should have done Sunday.
I’ve been on the phone for the past 24-hours with people asking me what should have been done and how I can help the doctor.
As of this writing, the doctor has been hospitalized and has a lawyer helping him take care of his family and professional reputation. I hope he recovers physically and mentally. What happened to him was inhumane.
The story is global and it’s especially bad in China. Media there is all over this story because of the doctor’s ethnicity. It’s not good for United because the airline is targeting the country for air travel growth. China is just the world’s fastest growing major aviation market.
Was this all preventable? Yes.
Here is how critical thinking and communication skills could have been used to prevent this media and public relations crisis. Review and keep in mind in case something (hopefully on a much smaller scale) happens at your company.
  1. No one should have been boarded if the flight was still over-booked. Not boarding people is a lot easier than boarding and then asking four people to remove themselves. It was a Sunday before the start of the work week. Everyone had to be somewhere else. Don’t leave it up to volunteers if you’re not going to raise the stakes.
  2. United should have offered a higher voucher amount. Another step up in airline dollars may have garnered more volunteers. To my knowledge, they had not yet hit the maximum they are allowed to go. Throwing another $1200 ($300-$400 more for each passenger) at the problem would have saved them the millions they are losing today.
  3. If that doesn’t work, bounce people at the gate using the carrier rules we all agree to when we purchase a ticket. Airlines are allowed to do what they did – just not in the way they did. They can start with those who checked in last and bump those flying on the cheapest tickets. From what I’ve read, medical personnel heading somewhere to treat patients are not supposed to be bumped.
  4. If all that STILL didn’t work, drive your employees or offer to drive the passengers. Chicago is not THAT far from Louisville. A road trip is a lot easier than saying sorry and paying millions when you bloody a passenger.
Obviously, United didn’t do this… and that’s why we’re talking about them.
What could they have done AFTER their mistakes Sunday to avoid this media storm? Here’s a list that you can copy if you have a communications crisis:
  1. Get out in front of the story IMMEDIATELY. You KNOW there is video. There is ALWAYS video.
  2. Get the CEO on TV right away Sunday night or first thing Monday morning to publicly apologize. In this news conference the CEO should say:
    • the company messed up (and deliver this genuinely)
    • there will be an investigation
    • they are going to make this right with the family
    • how they will change their future policies to make sure this does not happen again
    • and assure the public that they are safe doing business with their company.
  3. Publicly make a donation to a group that gives scholarships to future Asian-American doctors who want to further their education.
  4. By today, three days after the crisis, they’re back to the friendly skies.
As a spokesperson and communications director for a major law enforcement agency, this is what we did when there was a crisis. I wrote our communications strategy. It’s not always easy to do — but it’s easier than handling the PR crisis that comes later if you don’t follow a good crisis communications plan.
So what about the doctor’s past history that I keep reading about today? Does that have anything to do with all this? No.
No one should be treated this way on a plane heading home to treat their patients – or to do anything else.
There’s a lot of rumblings going on that United Airlines leaked the doctor’s personal history to the media to deflect what they did Sunday. Could have been the airline – and it could have been investigative journalists. No matter what, it shouldn’t make us feel that he deserved this kind of treatment. He didn’t. Nor did his wife.
What we all should remember is, we can avoid this from happening inside our companies. Think through the actions and the consequences when you have an internal communications crisis. Five minutes of going through “what’s the absolutely worst thing that can happen if we do this?” can save you millions and a lot of bad media and PR.
Are you ready for YOUR story to be on TV in the right way? Book your free consultation with me here. As a media coach, I’ll help you craft your story to make it newsworthy.
Oh, and if you have no idea what this story is about, here’s how to get caught up with the news quickly every morning. 

Are you ready to go live on TV twice in one morning?

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Picture courtesy of WCIU TV

It’s live TV. A lot could have happened.

More U.S. missile strikes in Syria.

A major storm on the day of the Chicago Cubs home opener (actually, it’s pouring here in Chicago as I write this, but it should clear up in time for the first pitch).

You can spend weeks, even months preparing your talking points and building relationships with your favorite TV shows to get your story on the air. After all that work – you’re cancelled.

Breaking news can take over your TV segment, leaving you to pray you’re rebooked in the future. It happens all the time.

Something else can happen. Something amazing.

Someone else can cancel or not show up in time — and the producers are left with time in the show to fill.

You’re there and you’re ready to go on again. Yes… you’re going live on TV again. Twice in one morning. More free advertising for your company. Would you want that kind of TV coverage?

Lots of people would be freaked out trying to figure out what in the world they’ll talk about. They don’t prepare for this kind of opportunity.

But you’re ready – prepared for anything.

That’s what happened this morning.

Here’s a live look behind the scenes inside the Chicago TV studio this morning:

I set this segment up for the wine company, Cellar Angels, based in Chicago.

This is exactly why I coach my media clients to be ready for anything. You never know what will happen in live TV – but since I’ve been a TV producer for 20 years… I have a pretty good idea how to deal with anything that will come your way. It’s why I’m successful as a media trainer.

Cellar Angels partnered with the nonprofit, Illinois Patriot Education Fund. I’m on the charity’s advisory board and look for media opportunities to promote them. We raise money so members of Illinois military families can go to college. Here’s how to donate.

Illinois Patriot Education Fund

Thank you to the producers at WCIU TV for booking my segment this morning. Here it is if you’d like to watch it. The producers are total pros. When the other segment was cancelled – the segment producer moved quickly and effortlessly to get my guests back on set ready to go live. Thank you… you know who you are 😉

Are you ready for YOUR story to be on TV? Book your free consultation with me here. As your media coach, I’ll help you craft your story to make it newsworthy.

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