Talk Notes: How to Prepare, Personalize, and Use Them Like a Pro
When the media calls, whether it’s a podcast, a TV segment, or a virtual panel, you want to sound confident, clear, and completely aligned with your brand’s mission.
That’s where Talk Notes come in.
At Publicity For Good, we create Talk Notes for our clients before every interview, media appearance, or event. They’re your cheat sheet, a simple, strategic way to keep your messaging sharp and your delivery authentic.
Whether you’re new to interviews or a seasoned speaker, Talk Notes help you tell your story with clarity and heart no matter how fast the questions come.
Here’s everything you need to know about preparing, personalizing, and using your Talk Notes effectively.
What Are Talk Notes?
Talk Notes are short, structured outlines that summarize your key talking points for any upcoming media opportunity.
Think of them as your on-the-go message guide, a one page that keeps you grounded in your story, mission, and call to action.
They typically include:
Your Core Message: What you want the audience to remember.
3 Key Talking Points: The main ideas you want to reinforce.
Supporting Stats or Stories: Data or personal anecdotes that make your story relatable.
Bridges: Short phrases that transition between questions naturally.
Call to Action: What you want the audience to do next like visit, follow, donate, subscribe, etc.
Why Talk Notes Matter
Even the best storytellers need structure.
Media interviews can move quickly, and it’s easy to get sidetracked especially when adrenaline kicks in. Talk Notes give you a calm center to return to. They ensure that every response you give connects back to your brand’s purpose and message.
But more than that, they help you sound real. When you know your message by heart, you stop reading lines and start sharing meaningfully and that’s what makes audiences trust you.
How We Create Talk Notes at PFG
Before your appearance, our team researches the outlet, interviewer, and audience so your Talk Notes are perfectly aligned with the opportunity.
We tailor each section to the context:
For TV or radio, we focus on concise soundbites.
For podcasts, we expand your storytelling and conversational flow.
For panels or live events, we add Q&A-ready prompts and quotes for easy recall.
Each Talk Notes document is clear, branded, and customized to your tone and comfort level, so when the lights turn on, you’re fully prepared.
How to Use Your Talk Notes Effectively
Print or Pull Them Up Before Every Interview
Keep a copy nearby, either printed or on your screen. Glance, don’t read. Let them serve as a quick reminder rather than a script.Practice Out Loud
Rehearse your key points aloud at least once. This builds comfort with your phrasing and helps you identify natural transitions between points.Highlight the Emotional Hooks
Every story has a heartbeat like a quote, a line, or a moment that connects emotionally. Mark it. Those are the pieces that make your audience feel something.Use “Bridges” to Stay in Control
If you get an unexpected question, use a bridge to steer the conversation back to your message. Examples:“That’s a great question and it ties into why we started…”
“What’s most important to understand is…”
“This really connects to our mission of…”
End With Purpose
Always land on your call to action. Whether it’s encouraging people to visit your site, support your mission, or follow your work, that closing moment matters most.
Pro Tip: Customize Your Talk Notes for Each Media Type
Podcasts: Focus on storytelling, values, and emotion.
TV Segments: Keep it short, punchy, and visual.
Print Interviews: Emphasize quotes and data that journalists can lift directly.
Panels or Webinars: Prepare open-ended insights that invite discussion.
The format might change, but the goal is the same: make your story easy to share and impossible to forget.
Why Talk Notes Reflect the PFG Way
At Publicity For Good, we go beyond “media training.” We also focus on “mission training” to help you speak with confidence, conviction, and clarity about the work that matters most to you.
Your Talk Notes aren’t about memorizing, but more about connecting. They help you find your authentic voice and use it to inspire action. When your truth comes through clearly, it doesn’t just land coverage. It builds community.
Ready to Master Your Next Interview?
When you join Publicity For Good, your Talk Notes become one of your most powerful tools for storytelling.
We’ll help you craft them, personalize them, and practice them until you feel ready for any spotlight.
Every interview is a chance to create connection and your Talk Notes make sure you do it with purpose.
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