When it comes to effective communication, one size never fits all. At LMC, we work with clients to shape communications strategies that align with and advance their institutional goals. We then train in-house staff and partners to become more adept at communicating strategically.
The training we offer includes:
How to Nail a Media Interview
Few situations are more unnerving than being caught off guard by a reporter during a live interview. This training is designed to demystify the media interview process and help clients learn how to prepare. Trainers offer tips on how to craft talking points that have impact, mock interviews are conducted by experienced journalists, and participants are taught the different ways to prepare for print, television, radio and online interviews. Trainees emerge from this training equipped to handle any media interview with more confidence and poise.
This training is available in full-day and half-day sessions. Consult with Dwight Langhum for more extensive training.
How to Create a Winning Communications Strategy
The internet is replete with guidance about how to develop communications strategies. But if you’re looking for a more focused approach that takes into account the unique challenges of your situation, consider this training. Participants are introduced to the anatomy of a strong communications strategy: mission clarity, message development, audience identification and segmentation, outreach tactics, communication team staffing, implementation, and evaluation. It also walks participants through some of the mistakes organizational leaders make when implementing their communications plans. Trainers then assist participants in drafting a preliminary plan or revising an existing plan.
This training is designed for senior executives and/or communications staff only, and is available in one full-day or two half-day sessions only. More extensive training is available upon request. Contact: dlanghum@langhummitchell.com.
Tell Your Story Online, in Person or On the Air
Everyone loves a good story, but few people are born with the gift of storytelling. In this training, participants review the components of a great story, identify the stories that advance their organization’s objectives, and learn which tactics and media are best suited to their stories, and then practice sharing those stories.
This training is available in full-day and half-day sessions. Consult with Dwight Langhum for more extensive training: dlanghum@langhummitchell.com
Using Digital Media Tools to Your Advantage
Once upon a time, media tools were the sole province of a few print and broadcast media professionals. These days, anyone with access to a computer or a cell phone has the capacity to circulate stories as quickly and sometimes as effectively as a multi-billion-dollar network. In this training, participants explore effective ways to make most of digital media tools, taking control of their organization’s narrative and driving stories that advance their institutional objectives.
This training is available in full-day and half-day sessions. Consult with Dwight Langhum for more extensive training:dlanghum@langhummitchell.com.
Podcasting for Change
Do you know nearly half of all U.S. homes are podcast fans? Or that there are more than half-a million active podcasts running? And that the most loyal patrons listen to an average of seven shows a week? Podcasting is a growing industry. If you’re in the social change business and you’ve wondered whether a podcast might help you push the agenda, this training is for you. Participants learn the basics of podcasting: hosting options; equipment needs; how to format a show, audio editing basics, how to market and promote a podcast, and how to secure guests.
This training is available in full- and half-day sessions. Consult with Cheryl Fields for details: cfields@langhummitchell.com.
Media Relations 101
Working with the media is one of the most effective strategies for getting your message out. It also is one of the most delicate. In this training, we review how to cultivate media relationships, how to avoid common mistakes, how to pitch story ideas, how to develop a strong media list, how to become a reliable source, and how to get the most out of a publicist or PR firm. This premium training is taught by public relations pros who how how the sausage is made and can offer invaluable insights about how to use work the media to your advantage.
This training is available in full- and half-day sessions. Consult with Dwight Langhum for details:dlanghum@langhummitchell.com
Communicating Effectively and Respectfully with Diverse Audiences
In today’s complex communications environment, it is easy to inadvertently offend people with our words. Effective communicators must be able to talk with, about and to diverse audiences respectfully and effectively. LMC specializes in communicating across traditional social boundaries and this training is designed to help leaders become more comfortable and competent communicating with diverse audiences. Topics covered by the training include: tips for communicating with parents whose native tongue is not English; understanding cultural appropriation and how to avoid it; working with ethnic media; how to avoid gender-offensive speech; and talking respectfully about LGBQTI issues.
This training is available in full- and half-day sessions. Consult with Dwight Langhum for more information: dlanghum@langhummitchell.com
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Let LMC design a custom communications training that meets your needs. At LMC, we’re always open to new training ideas, so if you have one, contact Dwight Langhum at: dlanghum@langhummitchell.com, we’d love to hear your pitch.