NWSA 2024

Thank you for coming to my session. Feel free to download this handout.

Media Mastery: Sharing Your Voice with the Public
Presented by Nanda Dyssou, Coriolis Company – www.corioliscompany.com – @coriolisco

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Part 1: Preparation and branding

1. Must have a professional brand
Showcase your expertise and uniqueness. Ensure consistency across all your online platforms.

Exercise: Let’s take the temperature of the room

Raise your hand if you agree with these statements:

• “I believe that my work matters to more than just my colleagues.”
• “I believe my research has the power to resonate with diverse audiences and inspire change.”
• “I believe that sharing my story publicly can contribute to more inclusive conversations and shift cultural narratives.”
• “I understand that engaging with the media can elevate my profile and amplify my message.”
• “I’ve seen less competent/deserving folks than me in the media.”
• “I recognize that media outreach gives my work the platform it deserves, especially as a voice from a marginalized community.”
• “I know that mastering media interviews can turn my writing from a personal narrative into a catalyst for societal discussions.”

Exercise: Assess your brand and digital presence
Answer the following questions to evaluate your current online visibility and identify improvement areas:

• How do people know me?
• Do I have a personal website showcasing my writing?
• Do I maintain active social media profiles where I share content at least weekly?
• Is my messaging consistent and tailored across platforms?
• Have I shared multimedia content related to my writing?
• Do I interact with my audience through comments or discussions?
• Have I featured media mentions or interviews related to my work?
• Do my profiles include a professional photo and an updated bio?
• Is my website or portfolio SEO-optimized?
• Do I regularly update my website and profiles with new insights or achievements?
• Have I engaged in cross-promotions with relevant communities or influencers?
• Am I getting media requests?
• Am I responding to the requests in a timely manner?

2. Know your core messages
Identify 2-3 key messages or takeaways that highlight your work’s impact and importance.

3. Create a media kit
Prepare a media kit including your bio, professional photos, book/project synopsis, and contact information for seamless media outreach.

4. Target the right media
Study and understand the media outlets you’re pitching to—know their style, audience preferences, and story types.

Exercise: Identify your media platforms
List the types of media platforms available for promoting your work:

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Part 2: During the media engagement

5. Speak to your audience
Tailor your language and approach to connect authentically with those you’re addressing.

6. Master soundbites
Create concise, memorable statements that convey your key ideas and are easy to quote.

Exercise: Let’s create a soundbite or two.

Exercise 3: Simplify your message
Write a 2-3 sentence description of your research/book/project that would be clear and engaging to a general audience. Focus on simplicity and impact.

7. Be unapologetically authentic
Embrace who you are and let your passion shine through. Your unique story, identity, voice and perspective are your strengths.

8. Feel and look comfortable
Practice your on-camera or public appearance to exude confidence. Wear comfortable, professional attire that reflects your brand.

Exercise: Let’s do it.

9. Relax and channel energy. Wow!
Take deep breaths and use pre-interview nerves to energize your delivery. Maintain a confident, steady pace.

Exercise: Let’s do it. WOW!

10. Speed of talking
Balance your speaking pace for clarity and engagement—avoid speaking too fast or too slow.

11. Use hand gestures
Incorporate natural gestures to emphasize key points and keep your audience visually engaged.

12. Emotion is good, but don’t offend
Show genuine enthusiasm and emotion to make your delivery impactful but be mindful to avoid unintended offense.

Exercise: Craft your media pitch
Draft a media pitch for your book or writing project. Answer these prompts:

• What is your core message?
• Why is it unique?
• Why is it relevant to current conversations, and who is your target audience?
• What impact do you hope your research will have on public or media discussions?

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Part 3: After the media engagement

13. Post-interview engagement
Share highlights of your interview on social media to maintain momentum, engage your followers, and expand your reach.

14. Track media coverage
Use tools like Google Alerts to monitor mentions of your name and book. Share positive coverage to amplify visibility.

15. Maintain media relationships
Follow up with a thank-you email to interviewers or media outlets. Building these connections can lead to future opportunities.

Exercise 4: Find potential collaborators
Write down 3-5 potential organizations, media partners, or influencers outside traditional publishing that could help promote your work, for instance focusing on those aligned with BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or marginalized community interests.