I've been spending the last few weeks watching endless pre-season college football media days...those staged events where every coach and select players preview their teams' up and coming season.
And it struck me how easy it is for an "accredited" journalist to open up his smart phone and start broadcasting YOU--Mr. Coach, Mr. Wide Receiver, etc.
How that brand---your brand---comes accross is so important.
It is imperitive that these opportunities be taken very seriously. The image that you portray helps define you. Do you come accross as intelligent? Thoughtful? Insightful?
Mr. Executive, do you answer the questions with genuine interest, or do you rely on "coach speak" just to get through?
Ms. Athlete, do you go back and watch the tape of yourself? How did you do? What kind of a grade would you give yourself? Speak in cliches? Repeat verbal crutches as you tried to come up with the right words? Did you offer anything original?
These are very important questions. Because social media is EVERYWHERE, 24/7/365. And much of today's sports news is being generated by reporters who use only new media, espcially the blogs.
What should be your responce to this? Embrace it. Become one with it. Start your own website. Write your own blog. Get out ahead of the pack. Set the tone.
If you are in a positon where you might be interviwed, take the time to prepare yourself and put your best self out there. Treat all with diginity and respect. Leave the interview space better than you found it.
More on this in the days ahead.
Have a great weekend!
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