Think ‘Your Mouth is Your Brand When the Game Ends’.
Work hard to represent your Brand. Practice speaking out loud
Realize people want you to succeed. When you see yourself as successful, you will be.
Concentrate on the message. Turn nervousness into positive energy when speaking
Keep to the point, go from one topic to the next with ease.
Create Brand recognition and familiarity. Relax and speaking in public becomes natural
Checklist on what to know when fronting Media, Important Sports Personal, Sponsors
- Get heads up on what questions will be asked
- Identify what listeners want to know in question
- Keep answers interesting, informative and entertaining
- Stay confident and keep focused on question to be answered
- Practice going from one point which sets up next point ie: ‘I knew qualifying would be important for gate pick, and getting a good start in each moto. My class is very competitive with some great riders out there…’ which opens up your possibilities of what next to say telling listeners how the days racing went for you.
- Present the real you when speaking in Public
- Maintain personal space when being Interviewed ie: speak when you are ready
- Wear clothing to promote Brand/Sponsors
Guidelines for speaking
Listen to the question carefully
Fast forward your thoughts on how you will answer it in a couple of sentences
Construct a word map in your mind ie: think of the most important word that comes to mind as soon as question is being asked. If question is: what did you find challenging today? First word that comes to mind could be ‘the track….then expand on why? Words related to track: lines, ruts, surface (dry, slick, marbly, rough, choppy, dusty, wet….) which leads to dirt type, traction, cut up through day’s racing, how bike handled track through-out day, bike changes to settings, club preparation. All these related words from one question.
Speak from your comfort zone
You know what you are doing when racing Motocross, say it confidently
Base all answers on what you know, what you are familiar with, what you do when racing. Listeners want to know what makes you tick…how do you rock up and race against full grid and achieve top results. No shrug of shoulders, or I don’t know. You DO know otherwise there wouldn’t be top results.
Media work is your job as a Motocross Rider
Promote your Brand and Sponsors at beginning, in middle and end of Interview
Vary how you answer questions, keep Interviewer on their toes, waiting to hear what you say next
- Change tempo of answers- some quick, short, slick answers to dig deep answers on questions that may be tricky ie: Q: ‘you crashed in Moto 1 then came back with a great win in Moto 2, what happened’? Answer: ‘Of course the sport can be nowhere near perfect to what you plan, these are the challenges we face when we race. That in itself is what sets Motocross apart from any other sport. It is the most physically, technically and mentally demanding and challenging sport for riders on a bike clocking up speeds of 65k/p/h plus on tracks which vary in surface, lines, holes, ruts and jump faces every lap’.
- Stay tuned to interviewer’s questions: their knowledge of Motocross may be not much or a lot. Answer questions as you see fit.
- Remain grateful for the opportunity to speak to the public, Media and fans.
Presentation at Interviews
Dress as representative of Brand and Sponsors.
Photographers take front and back shots. TV camera shots tend to be waist up.
- Media interviews, photographs, TV filming are opportunities to promote: Brand: Team and bike, Brand Sponsors, personal sponsors, bike parts, MX gear, MX accessories and more. You could be promoting 20 plus business interests in one film shot.
- Be prepared on what to wear and who to promote.
Enjoy the Spotlight
Videos on Media Training
Arizona Athletics Media training 2013
Athletics – 2012 Media Training
Skype Media Rehearsal available on request.
Contact: Sharon Cox
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