Media Rookies: At Least Five Ways to Kill Your Interview
December 22, 2015 by Dr. Letitia Wright
Filed under Featured Articles, Front Page
Media Rookies: At Least Five Ways to Kill Your Interview
It took 25 pounds of effort pushed into a 7-pound bag, but your big time media interview is happening tomorrow. You are such a captivating speaker that your electric charm and sparkle even resurrects the bleakest “dining-dead” special event banquet. So, there’s no need to worry about this game-changing exposure to thousands of potential clients. On the other hand, maybe it might be time to review your media training. Remember there are five things that will easily kill your interview.
1) Being late. The professionalism you intend to deliver to the client begins with the interviewer. Don’t forget, the host can flatten your interview if they are irritated by your punctuality and courtesy. Media hosts plan every second of their show, every minute matters.
2) ”Let me make a long story short!” You are not the editor! Make a short story shorter! The primary purpose of the interview should be describable with zero distractions from your intended point of impact. Concrete phrases like “$15 an hour” instead of “a livable wage increase,” delivers a concept with maximum impact plus it’s easy to remember.
3) Forgetting to tune, term and tone your presentation for your intended audience, not the host or interviewer. If you’re marketing to individuals already familiar with the industry, the tune may be more like “shop talk” sprinkled with familiar business terms. Also, the tone may be simple “light opinion” instead of a “winning advice” lecture.
4) Rejecting media coaching and training, and relying on your extensive credibility as a public speaker instead. Attempting to deliver on-the-spot media interviews often leads to public relations disasters. Delivering “fluster-free,” conversational media interviews requires training, practice, and preparation. Through training, you create the habit of establishing in advance the purpose of your story, the reason for the interview and the reporter’s expectations. This discipline increases your chance of appearing very relaxed and confident during your interview.
5) Repeating negative phrases or words used in a question by the reporter. Even if you disagree with the negative description, repeating it encourages the reporter to included it as a highlight of the interview. Making every effort to respond using positive terms keeps you in control of the narrative regarding your topic.
Paying attention to these suggestions, filling your responses with humor whenever appropriate and showing a pleasantly energetic attitude creates the best outcomes. Each interview can be a public relations nightmare or a positive upside opportunity.
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