Image is Everything

Image is everything. It’s not what you say, but you do that is remembered by others, yet surprisingly few people seem to remember this, especially when they are in the middle of a crisis situation.

Studies by sociologists show body language makes up 55 percent of our communications. Think about it; what you do means more than what you say. Yet despite this fairly obvious conclusion, so many people in the middle of a crisis situation don’t take the time to think of what their actions will say in the public domain.

I couldn’t help but laugh today when I saw the Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, taking a jog through the snow in front of reporters and photographers. Blagojevich is in the middle of a major political scandal. He’s accused of trying to sell Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat, state lawmakers are trying to impeach him, and the media has been trying to get answers from him. And in the middle of all this, on a very cold and snowy morning, Blagojevich decides to go running in front of the cameras. Doesn’t he understand what this image projects?

Television needs a visual to support the story, otherwise it's just radio. TV reporters also need new video to advance the day’s report. Today, the governor gave them an early Christmas gift with his run through the streets. Reporters got their new visual for the day and they got the video to support it. The new video projects the image of a governor running from reporters and it deflects from the image of him working. The governor should be working in the middle of the day, not exercising. And he certainly shouldn’t be running from reporters, which is exactly what this image projected.

Just in case you didn’t know, you never want to run when a TV reporter or camera crew surprises you with an ambush. Any person running will always look guilty. If you don’t believe me on this, just ask yourself what you thought when you saw OJ Simpson driving his white Ford Bronco, fleeing from police.

Only those who are guilty run. Maybe it’s a cliché, but it certainly became a popular one for a reason.

If you are ever confronted or surprised with an unannounced interview with the media, face the cameras. Don’t run. Running always makes for great television, like it did today with Blagojevich. If you leave work tonight and there is a reporter outside of your business, asking you questions about a customer’s accusations, take a minute to address the reporter. This doesn’t mean you have to answer the reporter’s questions. It means you have to address, make contact with the camera.

In this situation, tell the reporter that you will answer his questions in the proper way. Tell the reporter that this ambush is not responsible journalism and that he should schedule an interview with you, rather than try to catch you by surprise. Tell the reporter that you are on your way to a meeting or family function, but you will answer his questions when he calls you at work.

Of course, any reporter that surprises you with an unannounced interview is most likely pursuing stories for shock value. That means, he will want you to run or push his camera or even put your hand up to block the camera lense. Resist the urge. Remain respectful and stick to your message: You will gain more by projecting the image of dignity, rather than fear.

Even if you don't want to answer the questions, at least the camera will show you answering the questions. And we all know the camera never lies.. yeah, right..

For more insight into how to improve your image with the media go to: www.BeatthePressBook.com