Beverly Hallberg

District Media Group Comms Tip of the Week 🎤

Earlier this week, US Senator Chris Murphy sent X into a frenzy with what he is now calling a sarcastic post.

His reply — “Awesome” — to a post about an Iranian fleet bypassing a US blockade led many to ask, reasonably enough, why he appeared to be supporting Iran.

When pressed on the uproar, Murphy acknowledged that he “should probably give up on sarcasm.”

Which raises a fair question: should anyone use sarcasm? A few things to consider:

Know the difference between a joke and sarcasm. A clear joke lands differently than a sarcastic remark. If you’re going to be funny, make sure it’s appropriate for the moment — and that you’re actually funny. Test your material on someone else before going public. Leave the improvised one-liners to comedians.

Sarcasm rarely works in public settings. Two reasons: first, brevity strips away context — an X post rarely gives readers enough information to know you’re joking. Second, people who don’t know you personally can’t read your tone. The last thing you want is for your audience to think you’re agreeing with something when you’re doing the opposite.

If you insist on sarcasm, signal it clearly. The safest move is simply to tell your audience you’re being sarcastic. It kills the subtlety, but it also kills the confusion.

Blooming in Boston 🌸

Eighteen years ago (and a few days), I started District Media Group. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible people on issues near and dear to my heart. I’m deeply grateful for the blessing of meaningful work and for the DMG team who make it all possible.

CAMERA ANGLES CAN BE BRUTAL
Objects in the background can seem much closer to the subject on camera than they do in real life. The camera’s visual compression is what creates misleading images—like last month’s photo of Qatar’s prime minister that made it look as though he was wearing a Ku Klux Klan hood, or yesterday’s shot of Donald Trump, where the background lined up to give him what looked like bunny ears.

While you can’t always control the background and/or what an ill-timed candid shot will produce, it’s worth your time to pause, check your surroundings, and make sure nothing in the background is distracting or misleading.

Here’s how you can control the situation:

#1 — When speaking in public…
You don’t usually get to choose the backdrop organizers provide, but you can ask about its color ahead of time. Trouble arises when your clothing blends into the background, creating awkward visual illusions. To avoid disappearing into the scene—or looking like something’s growing out of your head—opt for colors that contrast with the background.

#2 — When interviewing at home…
Because you are fully in control of the background at home, there’s no excuse for a poorly placed plant or lamp. Make sure to set yourself as far from the wall as possible and position the objects in the background so they do not align with your head or body. Also, keep the objects in the background limited. Less is more as YOU are the focus and not the background.

#3 — When recording outside…
For stand-up interviews with local news, the station typically controls the background and should be on the lookout for distractions. But for self-recorded social media videos, watch out for things like trees or lamp posts that can appear to “grow” out of your head. Your background (being on location) should support your message, not distract from it or draw attention away from you.

It’s World Down Syndrome Day!

I couldn’t think of a better person to highlight than my cousin David, or a better excuse to share his recent hijinks.

David works at a school, and he LOVES the yearbook — getting his picture taken is a BIG deal. One year, he came home with a photo featuring a rather unusual expression. He explained to his mom that he wanted to be George Washington (he’s also a big fan of history and biographies).

Naturally, our family took it upon ourselves to turn him into a proper George.

This year, another unexpected expression appeared in his annual photo. When asked about it, he proudly stated that he wanted to be Ludwig van Beethoven. Of course, we turned him into Beethoven too.

(Don’t worry—he always goes back for retakes so he gets a classic “David” photo. My aunt goes with him just to be safe…after his Beethoven photo this year, he told someone, “Got away with it!”)

Life is fuller and more joyful with David and others with Down syndrome. If you get a chance, celebrate them and all they bring to the world.

Stay tuned—I asked what he’s planning for next year. His answer? “Michael Jordan!”

“How do I get rid of nerves?”

This is the most common question we get from clients at District Media Group. If there were a magic pill that instantly removed the dreaded fear of the stage or the camera, we’d probably be on the Forbes list.

Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix—you can’t drink your nerves away or pop a pill to make them disappear. But we’ve seen many clients work through their nerves and come out the other side more confident and successful.

Here are some of the best ways to do it:

#1 — Have the Right Mindset
People’s greatest fears about public speaking or media interviews aren’t likely to come true. In reality, there are very few instances where what you say—or how you look or sound while saying it—is career-ending or life-changing.

That internal monologue right before you take the stage or go live on air is critical. Remind yourself that if you’re speaking honestly and from the heart, it’s unlikely you’ll make a fool of yourself. Sometimes you simply have to fake it until you feel it.

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How to Get Rid of Nerves | DISTRICT MEDIA GROUP “How do I get rid of nerves?” This is the most common question we get from clients at District Media Group. If there were a magic pill that instantly removed the dreaded fear of the stage or the camera, we’d probably be on the Forbes list. Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix—you can’t dr...

Abuse doesn’t define me. It’s a part of my life, not the whole. But I’ve chosen to talk about what I’ve walked through in the hope it helps someone else. If any part of my story resonates, than I’m grateful. What I can say without hesitation is that with God’s help there is a way out. If you need someone to talk to please reach out.

When Faith Meets Reality: Accepting the Truth About an Abusive Marriage | Relationship Truth: Unfiltered Have you ever thought you finally met the right one—only to discover, painfully, that everything he said was a lie? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Leslie Vernick sits down with media expert and speaker Beverly Hallberg to unpack her harrowing journey through a deceptive and destruct...

My family celebrated my dad’s birthday tonight, and it was extra special because he got to meet his newest great-granddaughter, Luna Seraphina.

Here’s 76 years and 7 days of life in one photo. 💗🎂👶