Learn the ins-and-outs of how the media works

 

Broadcast and Print Media Skills Workshop for Heritage Advocates

 

 

Get your story out there!

Broadcast and Print Media Skills Workshop for Heritage Advocates

The Calgary Heritage Initiative (CHI) invites you to join us for a one-day interactive workshop for heritage advocates, to teach you the ins-and-outs of how the media works.

  • Learn how to be prepared with your message and gain confidence in your delivery when newspaper, radio or television reporters seek reaction to a breaking news story like an impending demolition or protection through heritage designation. 
  • Train to be a media spokesperson, develop the skills to proactively plan, initiate and sustain successful relationships with the media. Learn how to develop interesting story ideas and pitch your stories to the media.
  • Practice delivering key messages with soundbites and quotable quotes on camera.
  • Receive a media contact list, tailored for heritage in Calgary; learn how to use it and keep it up to date.
  • Consider how media relations fits with your social media strategy and what reporters are looking for from your on-line presence.

Heritage advocacy is strengthened when our message is repeated. By working together, we will identify common objections to heritage preservation and brainstorm concise, credible, compelling and consistent responses.

Sign Up Now
Where: Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association, North Social Hall, 1320 5 Avenue NW
When: January 21, 2017 9:00AM to 4:00PM
Cost: $25 per person (includes lunch)*
Professional facilitator: Marilyn Jones, Media Training in Alberta. Marilyn is a media strategist with over 30 years’ experience, specializing in training not-for-profit organizations. Her passion is empowering mission-driven organizations and individuals to give their stories a voice through proactive media relations and the proficient use of on-line, open source content management systems.
Print Media Resource: Jeffrey Jones is a veteran journalist specializing in energy, finance and environment for The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business, based in Calgary. Before joining The Globe and Mail in 2013, he was a senior reporter for Reuters. Jeff is a CHI volunteer and resident of the historic community of Inglewood. 
Who should attend: Advocates of preserving heritage buildings, sites, historic streetscapes and community character in Calgary. This workshop will benefit CHI members, Community Association Planning Committee members, spokespersons for heritage societies in Calgary, and those working in heritage trades and professions. No prior media relations experience required.
Sponsored by the Calgary Heritage Initiative Society in partnership with the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association with funding from the Calgary Foundation, Strategic Opportunities Program.

 

Register by January 16, 2017. Registration is limited to 25 participants – register early!

Questions? Contact Karen at 403 540 7796 or karenpa@telusplanet.net

*This workshop offers excellent value to participants.  Fees for similar one-day media training offered to the general public, and not customized for heritage, are about $250 per participant.

Typical One Day Media Training Workshop

 

  • Learn how the media work, what they need from you and when
  • Brainstorm, discuss, develop and pitch story ideas
  • Determine which reporters you should pitch based on your story ideas
  • Develop and deliver your key messages
  • Create supporting quotes and soundbites
  • Prepare and present compelling print and radio interviews
  • Prepare and present compelling television interviews
What you will EXPERIENCE:

 

  • On-camera and on-mic exercises
  • Interview control exercises
  • Realistic radio talk show interview exercises
  • Realistic TV news interview exercises
  • Realistic print interview exercises
What you will LEARN:

 

  • Explore how reporters work and what they need
  • Determine what the reporter’s audience wants
  • Develop story pitches to promote your organization’s mission
  • Respond to media interview requests
  • Set interview goals
  • Craft and deliver key messages
  • Deliver memorable sound bites and quotable quotes
  • React to various interview styles during in person and phone interviews
Your TAKE-AWAYS:

 

  • Take-home copies of videotaped interview exercise
  • A five-minute media interview planning card
  • A copy of the course materials at the workshop
  • Background readings and preparation exercises to review before and after the workshop
  • Access to media training videos for 30 days (two weeks before the workshop and two weeks after)
By the end of the day, you’ll have developed two or three compelling story ideas, pitched them to various “reporters” and feel comfortable, confident and capable of delivering your key messages and quotable quotes on camera forever more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To sign up, click here