Using Google to Answer Your Media Training Questions

By Grant Ainsley | Tips | [comments] | Posted [date]

The top 5 "How to" searches on Google in Canada in 2017 were: 1. How do they name hurricanes? 2. How many teaspoons are in a tablespoon? 3. How soon should you take a pregnancy test? 4. How to make solar eclipse glasses? and 5. How to buy Bitcoin in Canada?

People in the US only asked two of the same top 5 questions as Canadians and believe it or not, the number 1 asked "How to" question from Americans was How to make slime? I'm not kidding.

Hopefully my work on Google's top 5 media training questions will be more beneficial, and I've even added five videos to this week's blog to answer the questions. Don't look for any info on making slime though.

Google Works

Google has its detractors because it’s too big and powerful and continually pries into our internet use and everyday lives. You can also say the same about Facebook and many other internet platforms, that we continually say we have issues with, but can’t do without.

I like Google though and use it for personal and business purposes a lot. I should track the number of Google searches I do on a daily basis. I do know it’s a lot.

I also use it for my business. Google Analytics gives me information on the number of people coming to my website, along with other information about their habits. I also use it to check to see how many are reading my blog and how effective my social media posts are.

I use Google Adwords to get more people to my website who are looking for media or communications training. I also produce content, both in written and video formats that people can access to help build my internet profile and then track the content's success on Google.

I’ve learned to create good content, market it and use it to bring people to my website to build awareness and get booked. It’s a simple formula, but takes time, effort and knowledge to do.

I’ve also been told to “give away” my best stuff. Some people try to keep their cards close to their vest and only provide their knowledge if it brings in immediate revenue. I do give my best stuff away, because of the belief that if people like what they see online, they’ll want to get more. I’m not sure which approach is correct, but I know what works for me.

Today's Big Information Booth

Google is the modern-day information booth. It answers billions of questions a year. In fact, it impacts how we talk to one another. When a question comes up in a conversation, somebody will likely pull out their phone and ask Google for the answer.

I also monitor questions on Google related to media training. I recently did some research and came up with five of the top questions people asked Google about media training and dealing with the news media.

When I did, I found out something that didn’t really surprise me. One of the highest searched phrases relates to the fear people have “messing up” a media interview. If you’re inexperienced, it’s only natural to expect the worst to happen when you get interviewed by reporters.