An Interview Can Be the Bermuda Triangle, But Not When You Stay on Course with a Message Triangle

Scenario: You’ve been working really hard to get an interview for your organization’s CEO. You land the interview, but the reporter has questions that may be tricky to navigate. You also want to make sure your message is clear and that the interview doesn’t go into uncharted waters. You need a Message

Triangle.

What is a message triangle?

The message triangle is a “go-to” tool that we use at 1st Degree to train our spokespersons for media interviews. It can also be used for major speeches and other presentations. It is designed to help you layout your three key points, draw correlations between the three points so that you can always get to the main message that you are trying to convey.

Each side of the triangle represents one of your broader key points. In the middle lies your key message or objective. The smaller connecting branches bulleted beneath each of your messages represent your supporting details and topics that bring the three key points together. The message triangle creates a visual image that makes recalling your points and staying on message easier when in front of an audience.

Why is a message triangle better than bullet points?

Talking points aren’t linear, which makes it easier for the user to jump around or miss your central topic. They also don’t provide the connective tissue which helps you move from topic to topic with ease, while still remaining focused on your key message. As they say, “all roads lead home,” so even when you are faced with an off-topic question, you can easily identify one of three messages that you can use to address the question and bring it back around to the main key message. We find that message triangles help you remain light with your words and get to the point quicker. It also helps you to think through what you want you to convey in advance and stay on message throughout.

The Three M’s

When building out your three key message points, consider the ‘three M’s: Message, Medium and Market. Determine a compelling focused message for your audience. What are the three things you want to convey and how will you get back to your main message? Try to approach your topic from an interesting point of view to capture your audience’s attention. Pay attention to your medium or the channel of communication you will use to deliver your message. Will you be featured on the news, radio or in a press release? Are you presenting to a large or small audience? And lastly, your market, or target audience. Make sure you know who you are trying to reach. Is it a friendly audience or a hostile one? Do some research on who you are trying to get through to and craft your points based on grabbing their attention.

Need help? Call 1st Degree!

Our team of media professionals can help you be ready for any topic. We can also prepare a concise and powerful speech that will resonate on any topic. Call today or PM us on LinkedIn or Facebook and we will send you a free message triangle template to help you get to the point!