media

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

July 7, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

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.

5 Ways to Land Media (Without Spending a Fortune)

June 29, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

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!

What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas

June 6, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

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.

[fusion_video video=”https://kathrynjanice1.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_5152.MOV-1-1.mov” video_webm=”” width=”” controls=”” preload=”” loop=”yes” autoplay=”yes” mute=”yes” preview_image=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” css_id=”” overlay_color=”” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” alignment=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=””][/fusion_video]

Are you touching yourself?

April 28, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

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

April 11, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

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.

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.
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.
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.
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:

Get out in front of the story IMMEDIATELY. You KNOW there is video. There is ALWAYS video.
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.
Publicly make a donation to a group that gives scholarships to future Asian-American doctors who want to further their education.
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?

April 10, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

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.

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.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Speaking of NCAA Basketball Schools… Go Marquette!

March 15, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

Picture courtesy of Marquette University

Is your college in the big dance?

Mine is!

The Marquette Golden Eagles play University of South Carolina Friday, March 17.

While we’re talking about college… I just stumbled upon this on my Mac today.

Tim Cigelske is a Marquette University graduate and teacher. He teaches in the College of Communication.

Here’s a beautiful piece Tim wrote about me in Marquette Magazine a few years ago. Thank you, Tim.

The article was written when I was an executive producer at NBC. Since then, I created my own company. I am now a media coach and a public speaking trainer.

Tim also freelances on the side for some blogs and websites… so if you’re looking for a good writer with an awesome sense of humor… it’s him.

Go Marquette!

ALUMNI PROFILE: KATHRYN JANICEK

By: Tim Cigelske

Kathryn Janicek does more by 4 a.m. than many people accomplish all day.

As executive producer for NBC Chicago’s morning TV show, her workday starts shortly after midnight

, when she opens her email and begins planning the news for more than 200,000 daily viewers.

No longer does breaking news start on the air. Now, she has to make sure stories are tweeted, posted on Facebook, and followed up on and updated on the website. That’s in addition to deciding where her reporters will travel and what items her writers will craft.

She doesn’t mind the relentless pace. In fact, she thrives on it.

“This really is a lifestyle,”she says. “Not just a job.”

Few in the news media have adapted faster to this rapidly changing landscape than Janicek, Comm ’98. She received an Emmy for outstanding achievement for interactivity and the Illinois Broadcasters Association’s Silver Dome Award for best use of new media.

Taking risks and blazing trails is nothing new for Janicek, who displayed these same characteristics at Marquette. She wanted to be hands-on from the beginning, which is why she chose Marquette’s broadcasting program and Milwaukee’s internship potential after being accepted into prestigious journalism programs at schools such as the University of Missouri.

“The moment I met her, I could see her exhibition of curiosity,” says Dr. Michael Havice, professor of broadcast and electronic communication in the Diederich College. “She wanted to achieve everything at once.”

Havice noticed that Janicek sought out new or challenging ways to tell stories, as well as opportunities for personal and professional development. This included interning at WISN Channel 12 during her freshman year and working as an overnight associate producer at WITI Channel 6 during her junior year. She also was the College of Communication’s president and responsible for organizing a memorial for Chris Farley when he died during Christmas break in 1997.

Ï really wanted to be in charge,: Janicek says. “I definitely went toward the producing and management role.”

Her experience paid off immediately after graduation, when she landed a job as a morning producer for the CBS affiliate in Champaign, Ill. Janicek was destined for bigger markets and arrived in Chicago 3 1/2 years ago as a producer at WGN, which led to her current role at NBC as executive producer of the morning show.

Today, Janicek relishes the responsibility of preparing her viewers for the day. She admits she has little downtime, but that’s just fine with her.

“The newsroom is an incredible place,” she said. “I can’t wait for Mondays.”

How to Be a Strong Woman & Why It’s So Important

March 8, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

My mother walked into my elementary school wearing white shorts with her leopard bikini underneath. You could see it peeking through.

She was that mad. She didn’t care what she was wearing. She was on a mission.

We were living in Sandy, Utah at the time. And no, this wasn’t the 1950’s… it was 1988.

When my teacher explained to my mom that the test was designed only for college-bound students to be able to place into a higher math class, she was livid! Why wasn’t her daughter invited to take the test? I had the grades and the skills, just not the “right” gender. Unhappy with my teacher’s answers, she took her fight to my principal’s office.

What makes the story funny (because the fact that she had to fight for me at all is certainly not funny) is that my mom was so livid when I came home that day and told her what was happening… she jumped right off of her sunning chair in the backyard, threw on her shorts, grabbed me and walked me back into school. White shorts, leopard bikini and all.

She didn’t care. She was going to make things right.

My mother always stood up for her three daughters.

She taught us to do the same.

Her white shorts and leopard bikini were funny, but what makes the story memorable is that my mom let nothing deter her from standing up for me. This is what strong women do; strong women stand up for themselves.

I am surrounded by strong women.

We learn from each other, inspire and support each other.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Happy International Women’s Day.

I teach women how to be stronger, more confident and how to stand out in their field. Let me teach you how to stand up for yourself and get the media you deserve. Sign up here for my free media class I’ll be teaching in April.

Free Guide:

The 7 Biggest Mistakes Executives Make on Camera

(and How to Fix Them Instantly)

Follow our founder on Instagram