Traditional and Social Media Skills Training

Imagine a reporter on the phone or with a camera recording your every word. You have a story to tell, but with media interviews, you only get one chance, so you have to nail it. Are your media skills ready? At the same time, not only media but potential customers and clients are skimming your social media presence. Do you know what kind of impression you're leaving on them?

This workshop was created for creatives, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits ready to take the spotlight, who don't have the benefit of a PR team behind them.

Presented by media commentator Ian Capstick of MediaStyle and social media consultant Jaime Woo, this workshop is the most hands-on, interactive and cost-effective way to ensure you understand the fundamentals of traditional and social media relations and leave with real-world tools for action.

Our Half-day Media Skill Training Teaches:

• Major media terminology because you need to speak the media's language
• Tips on creating a compelling message that sticks in people's head
• Interview skills and techniques that turn an okay performance into a memorable one
• Social media strategy to supplement your messaging and build your reputation
• Content creation for sites like Facebook, Twitter, Odeo, and YouTube to grab people's attention directly 

You will leave the training with planning templates, strategies and tactics to pitch your ideas to the media. You'll also learn about measurement and its importance to public relations and media skills development so you can be as efficient with your time, money, and energy as possible.

About the presenters:

Ian Capstick is co-owner and principal of MediaStyle, with over a decade of professional political and communications experience. He has worked for cabinet ministers and opposition members in the House of Commons, including some of Canada’s most colourful and influential political minds - from both the New Democrats and Liberals.

Ian is passionate about creating social change through communications. An experienced media coach, political tactician and engaging speaker, Ian is a regular on CBC News Network's Power & Politics; weekly on Ottawa's Live 88.5 FM; and is a frequent guest on national or regional radio stations across Canada and recently won a Canadian Blogging Award. Before co-founding MediaStyle, Ian coordinated parliamentary training for MPs and staff of the New Democratic Party of Canada, in addition to his role as media liaison and party spokesperson.

Jaime Woo has worked on communications projects for Pride Toronto, Toronto Community Foundation, ChangeCamp, and Holt Renfrew. Jaime launched the role of Social Media Editor at top city blog Torontoist and his writing has also appeared in NOW, Xtra, and Financial Post. His video work has been recognized by the Luminato Arts and Creativity Festival and featured on the popular CBC radio program Here and Now.

Jaime has focused on using social media and technology to benefit nonprofits and community efforts. He has worked with organizations such as the CLGA and the Friends For Life Bike Rally to reshape online strategies and messaging. In 2010, he presented at the trailblazing SxSW Interactive conference and will be speaking at the inaugural NxNW Interactive conference.