MEET THE PRESS

“If you’re having fun during an interview you’re probably blowing it.” - Alan Metrick

An interview may have all the appearances of a conversation. There’s often friendly banter. Confidences are shared. Questions are asked and answered. No matter; an interview is not a conversation.

A reporter’s job is to get you to say things you don’t want to. Your job is to get your key point across in a clear and concise way. Our media training program can make reticent spokespeople comfortable and effective, and make people experienced with the press even better at making their point.

Media training involves understanding what reporters want and why; developing an effective message; understanding the interview “games” some reporters play; learning how to stay on message; and learning the techniques to keep an interview moving the way you want.

Done in half-day sessions, media training involves videotaping repeated mock interviews, gradually incorporating techniques that help interviewees better direct the direction—and outcome—of sessions with reporters.

GUIDELINES FOR A SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEW

Although there is no substitute for one-on-one media training, here are 10 tips to keep in mind when a reporter calls.

1. Relax, but
2. Never let your guard down; remember an interview is not a friendly chat
3. Every interview has a theme
4. If you don’t have all the information needed to answer a question, say so
5. Never say “no comment”
6. Assume everything you say, from hello to goodbye, is on the record (never say anything you don’t want to see in print or hear over the air)
7. You don’t have to answer the question asked
8. If caught off guard, take some time to compose yourself before answering
9. If asked the same question several times, don’t be afraid to give exactly the same answer
10. Don’t fear the silences after you’ve answered the question. Stay silent until the next question is asked.