8 X WHY YOU ALSO DESERVE MEDIA TRAINING

No, no, no, don't drop out now. Because maybe you never see yourself as the second Eva Jinek and have no fantasy of shining in front of the cameras, yet I am a strong advocate for attending media training. Because it also comes in handy in regular jobs, just pay attention.

1. You learn to use your voice ‘strategically’

We have learned to use our face and our expression, but we underestimate the power of the voice. Just think about it: if Barack Obama had the voice of Dirk Zeelenberg (which can be described as somewhat high and hoarse), would his ‘Yes, we can’ have enchanted us in the same way? Voice, tone color, and rhythm (what old presenters always call ‘diction’) are vital when you need to give a strong presentation.

2. Writing texts becomes a piece of cake

When addressing people, you need to use different language than when chatting with a friend, but it also needs to be less formal than in a written article. In media training, you learn exactly how to reach and touch your audience. And that's what you need.

3. Knowing how you come across

During the first season of Holland's Next Top Model, I wasn't very aware of how I came across on screen. Well, when I saw the broadcasts, it was crystal clear to me: intimidating and frightening, that was me. That's why I booked a lesson with Minoesch Jorissen (once a great presenter herself and now one of the coaches of this media training) and she taught me who I was and how I could make that visual. It's a matter of really listening, sitting forward (leaning back makes you look arrogant), and having a cushion in my back. In an hour, I had a little psychoanalysis and in the second season of Holland's Next, I was much more presentable. Right? Right?

4. Posture and presence

Everything you do tells a story. So it better be the story you want to tell. If you stand with your hands in your pockets (or worse, with your arms crossed), the chance that your words will resonate with your audience (which could also be the rest of the meeting or the director to whom you want to pitch your idea) is extremely small. If you have an open or powerful posture, the audience thinks: wow, that one knows what they're doing, let's listen to them.

5. Your social media behavior

Even Mick Jagger has an Instagram account. Many companies find it important that you profile yourself on social media. Some don't care at all, by the way, but in principle, active social media behavior is celebrated and rewarded in the creative sector. But it also applies here that it only works for you if it’s authentic. Make sure your account (especially Instagram) is not a mess or a jumble of look-at-me photos. Ensure that your account underscores who you are and paves the way to where you want to go.

6. Interview techniques always come in handy

I can't imagine a profession where interview training wouldn't come in handy. A doctor needs it to make a diagnosis, a lawyer needs it to get to the bottom of things, a salesperson learns more about her customer... And even a good conversation in the pub gains more depth if you learn to ask targeted questions. But let's assume you enjoy writing, then this is a technique you want to master even better.

7. Autocue training

Mart Smeets should stop reading now (he's actually one of our biggest fans, you didn't know that, did you?), but it's nice if you get the hang of that cursed autocue. Suppose you have to address a large audience. Believe me, it's nice if there's a huge cheat sheet somewhere to fall back on if you have a little blackout. But since you don't want to sound like a robot, it's good if you've practiced this a bit.

8. Meet Joss

This might be the most important reason to sign up . Our Joss is participating.. So. What are you waiting for?.

Put it in your calendar: January 29 and 30. And it costs 690 and for students 640 euros. That's not even a quarter of a Chanel bag and this wisdom will last a lifetime.

No, no, no, don't drop out now. Because maybe you never see yourself as the second Eva Jinek and have no fantasy of shining in front of the cameras...