Note: This guest post is from WWW media trainer Bren McClain of McClain Communications. To learn more about our author media training options for either fiction or non-fiction authors, CLICK HERE. (Graphic courtesy FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

I’m doing something radical.  I’m breaking from the tradition of calling what I do “Media Training.”  I’m giving it a new name.

This is a big deal.  That name is the accepted name in the industry, and I have been calling it that for 22 years, since I went into business with McClain Communications on May 4, 1990.

It was a perfect description, since I teach people how to leverage an interview with the media, which back then was THE avenue to get your message out. “Oh, if I could just get the press to interview me.” “Only if the press would call.”  “I’d be set if the press would call.”  I heard these words over and over.

But this is not 1990.  It’s 2012, soon to be 2013.  And the almighty media is no longer THE avenue.  With the advent of texting and Twitter and Facebook and blogging, guess what?  Each one of us is a reporter now. And publisher, too. Are you integrating your message in each of these avenues?  Or do you think of the media as the only official time to talk about your book? 

One of my clients is the Kentucky Department of Education.  A few months ago, a school bus wrecked.  You know how parents found out about it?  Facebook.  Twitter.  Texting.  The media was late to the party.

What am I saying? I am taking the emphasis off of the media. Yes, they’re important. But no longer are they the be all, end all.  Good talk is about good talk in general. You should be thinking about what you want to say about your book to everyone you meet:

• What do you say to the woman behind in the grocery line tonight about your book?  Or to your hairdresser?
• And what does your energy show?
• Do you have a one sentence description that rolls off your tongue?
• Is there a smile on your face when you say it?
• What about a one paragraph description?

Because I must say – if you get comfortable talking about your book in your everyday life, if you ever do get the chance to talk to the media, it’ll be old hat.

So I want to call my training “How to Talk About My Book Training.”  That’s it.  Period.

What do you think?

Brenda McClain founded and is president of McClain Communications, Inc., established in 1990 as a communications consulting firm, specializing in Message Development and Delivery. She has worked with Algonquin and Workman authors for “Today Show” and “Good Morning America” appearances, as well as preparing authors prior to book tour launches. Her media training clients have included Workman Publishing, AT&T, CIBA Vision, Turner Broadcasting, Cincinnati Reds, Career Sports & Marketing, Ford Motor Company and the U.S. Army.