Soon it could be you. Or perhaps you've already had your taste of media exposure. How'd you go? Was it a success? Were you prepared? Or was it a disaster?
In this new series of blog posts, Media Tips For Bloggers, I will draw on my 15 years experience working in the media and, at times, call on others in the know to provide you with tips and tricks of the trade. Please let me know if there is a topic you'd like covered in the future.
Off The Record: Tips on being interviewed.
2) Always ask if the journalist can send you a list of questions. Same goes for asking for a draft of the story, if you are being interviewed for a newspaper. They will not always agree, but there's no harm in asking.
3) Preparation is key. Think about what the angle of the interview is and tailor your answers accordingly. Do your research. Short, to-the-point, responses are the key. Do not ramble. Less is more. This is particularly relevant if being interviewed for radio and television. Everything needs to be communicated in palatable "grabs" or information filled sentences. Write down a list of the key points you want to communicate and practice your responses. There's no second chances.
4) Nothing is off the record. Never share things with a reporter you do not want to see printed in an article or aired on television or replayed on the radio. No matter how lovely the journalist seems, you can never trust they will do the right thing. It is ok to say: "I'm sorry, but I am not going to answer that question" or "I don't know the answer to that question" or "That's an issue I'd prefer not to talk about".
5) If the interview heads off course and you suddenly get alarm bells, put a stop to it. Be polite, but firm. Let them know that was not what the agreed interview was meant to be about and that you'd rather not continue talking about the topic at this stage. Don't get grumpy or be rude, that will only inflame the situation and make it seem like you have something to hide. Just take back control.
6) Be interesting. It's fine not to share your secrets or talk nastily about others or give away the tricks of your trade, but remember if you say nothing at all, you run the risk of being boring. Be calculated about you talk about. This is where number 3 is really important - preparation is key. Have something to say which will add to the discussion.
7) Always be accessible, on time and professional. Journalists work under tight deadlines and if you are easy to work with, they'll keep you in mind for other stories. Let them know your areas of expertise and your willingness to be called upon in the future.
8) Shake away your nerves and have fun. If you don't enjoy the experience, don't do it again. Life is too short for doing things you don't enjoy, but it's also too short to not do things that challenge you. The butterflies in your belly, the nerves, the thrill - it's all part of the experience. Embrace it. And remember it is simply a conversation between you and another person, it's not meant to be hard work.
Have you ever been interviewed before? Do you have any tips to add?
bigwords x
I have been interviewed, but only in a work sense... interviewing me about something I'm passionate about would take me outside my comfort zone!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips Bianca - I was always a fair interviewer but not all are like that. Important to accept the opportunities but be prepared. Thanks for linking up x
ReplyDeleteHave been meaning to write something similar! Great tips. I'd add:
ReplyDelete- Don't feel rushed in to the interview. While you will need to move quickly to secure the opportunity, make sure you buy some time to prepare.
- Research the journo. Read past articles to find out their style.
- Offer to send some 'support' material. And if you do, make it easy to digest (journos are busy so love it when you give them easy access to info).
- Manage your expectations! Chances are the journo will take an angle you didn't expect.
- If you don't like what's written, you can go back to the journo, but do it carefully - you don't want to burn bridges! Maybe get some advice on this first from a media relations professional *cough, cough* just to be on the safe side...
Hey so I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger award. Because, well, you are. Check out the details here: http://dearstephenking.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/very-inspiring-blogger-award-nomination/
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas, here and in comments too. But as a journalist, I never had a list of questions ready: that was something only a novice would do. I always found a better story resulted from a conversation; one where I took notes as we spoke.(And I always did/do inform subject of this).
ReplyDeleteThe one tip I would suggest these days which gives you a lot of control and means things can't be taken off the record is to ask for an email interview. But this means that things that may be really interesting and make for a better story might get lost without a conversation. It does mean you get total control over your quotes though. It depends on what is more important to you.
Most publications won't furnish you with a copy of the article. This is journalism not a paid ad. But a good journo WITH TIME won't mind reading you a copy of the article (often we can't have a copy going around in cyberspace), and making corrections where necessary. This is particularly so in a sensitive case: just explain why it is important and exceptions can be made. When I was the subject of an interview myself, I explained why a certain couple of pars were sensitive because of my children and the journo made the executive decision that they weren't that important to the story (the paragraphs not my kids) and cut them out completely. I was cool with that.
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ReplyDeletewww.enjoyingtheepiphany.com
Thanks,
Sarah
I love my blog and writing but I am terrified of the idea of interacting with media! Print and radio is scary - TV is just a big run-to-the-hills-screaming concept for me. Traditional media is something I never thought about connecting with when I started blogging, but I am seeing more and more bloggers and their content sharing space with radio, tv and print. I really appreciate these tips on how to handle it, should it ever happen to me.
ReplyDeleteI think number 4 is the big one. My father has been a PR manager for a well-known multi-national brand for over 25 years and he has always said never trust a journalist, never joke around with a journalist, always be nice to a journalist and remember that nothing is ever, ever off-the-record. Even if you don't see a notepad or voice-recorder, doesn't mean they aren't mentally filing every little word you say. Even the nicest ones can burn you if the story is important enough to them. Having said that though, its a slightly different perspective that he is coming from but it never hurts to be careful with the words you use at any time to any one.
ReplyDelete