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Big Media Appearance Mistakes: 5 Things to Do That Guarantee You'll be Ignored
Copyright © 2002 - 2010 by Susan Harrow. All rights reserved.
1. Make excuses.
When you apologize, make excuses, mumble, or indicate
hesitation before introducing an idea you immediately put
yourself at a disadvantage. This isn't the time to say
you're sorry. Save that for when you've really pulled a
boner. Start your sentence with a strong, clear thought.
Think of these first words as the headline that prepares
your audience for the fascinating information to come.
2. Let yourself be interrupted.
Let yourself be interrupted and you've just been put into a
one- down position. Insist on being heard by putting your
hand up like a stop sign or by saying the person's name,
then, *Just a moment,* and continue right away until you've
finished your thought. People will respect the fact that you
think your thoughts are important enough to be listened to.
If you respect yourself you get respect in return.
3. Scrunch in your body.
Don't become the incredible shrinking woman. Take up as much
space as possible (that feels comfortable without being
obvious). Opening your body posture and then spreading out
in a relaxed fashion indicates you are vulnerable and
powerful, not afraid of attack. Put your arms on the chair's
arms or sling them over the back of your chair or the chair
next to you. Sit up straight. Assume that you already
possess power and stature.
4. Ramble.
Powerful people use less words. Their audience takes those
few words to be of big import. Out of respect please
organize your thoughts ahead of time, even if it's just for
a few seconds in your own mind. People will want to listen
to you versus being tempted to tune out. Many people talk
*stream of consciousness* which can be interpreted as
thoughtless and hard to follow. We've all tried to
comprehend someone who is *thinking out loud.* An important
meeting, media or job interview isn't the time to do it. You
want people to say, *Aha! I get the point* versus, *Where
the heck is he going with this?*
5. Rush.
Powerful people speak more slowly. They aren't afraid of
interruption. If they are interrupted they may just stare a
person down. Non-verbal communication can be more effective
than verbal communication in certain circumstances. I used
the silence method frequently when I taught high school in
the mission district of San Francisco where many gang kids
kept knives in their boots for protection. If a student
began to talk when I or another student was speaking, I'd
just stop and look at him until he stopped. It didn't take
long for that behavior to cease.
Follow these five points and you'll command respect and gain
interest from your audience, whoever they are.
Learn more about getting good press and self-promotion to
gain publicity for your business, product or cause in *Sell
Yourself Without Selling Your Soul*(HarperCollins). Go to
http://prsecrets.com for your free excerpts today.
Susan Harrow, CEO of prsecrets.com, is
a top media coach, marketing strategist and author of *Sell
Yourself Without Selling Your Soul* (HarperCollins), *The
Ultimate Guide to Getting Booked on Oprah*, and *Get a 6-
Figure Book Advance.* Clients include Fortune 500 CEOs,
bestselling authors and entrepreneurs who have appeared on
Oprah, 60 Minutes, NPR, and in TIME, USA Today, Parade,
People, O, NY Times, WSJ, and Inc. |
