3 tips to prepare for an interview with media outlets and journalists

Media training: 3 Tips to Prepare for an Interview with Media Outlets and

Journalists

By Sarah Sinclair

Being interviewed on camera can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.

When it comes to being comfortable on camera and developing and keeping good mutually beneficial relationships with media outlets and journalists, here’s some simple rules to follow.

1. BE AVAILABLE AND FLEXIBLE

Getting the opportunity to be part of a story is really the biggest challenge of all. This is why it’s important that if you or your organisation wants media coverage, try not to turn any requests down.

If you get a reputation for saying no, journalists will stop calling.

More important than that, if you have sent out a media release make sure whoever is handling the media enquiries has their phone on hand to answer immediately and you are available to do multiple interviews throughout the day.

It sounds simple but sometimes opportunities are missed because a phone went unanswered and another story was pursued.

It’s important to be flexible as well, breaking news and busy schedules mean that interviews may be brought back, forward or even cancelled, you need to be prepared for that and willing to accommodate time changes

2. KEEP IT CONCISE

Don’t waffle, if you can manage it. Saving time will always get you in the good books. Obviously you should still speak conversationally but there’s no point going completely off track or trying to push too many messages.

That’s because a television story is generally around one minute and twenty seconds long, some are only thirty seconds.

3. BE CONFIDENT

More often than not if you’re being interviewed about something, you’ll be an expert on the topic. If you feel nervous, remember that you’ve already got the knowledge to answer the questions that’ll be fired at you.

If you don’t, and a question falls outside your expertise, then be honest, and seek clarification on what they want to know.

Interviews rarely go for very long, because journalists are strapped for time and often juggling multiple stories in several locations.

In most cases, you’ll only be asked a few straight forward questions, unless it’s about something controversial.

If you follow these rules, then you’ll more likely be contacted again for interviews even if you don’t send out media releases.

That’s the position you want to be in. An expert that’s called upon regularly to provide trusted commentary.

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