Preparing For Your Media Interview

Media interviews are an important part of an overall public relations campaign. Any size company from entrepreneur to Fortune 500 can benefit from media interviews. Always arrive for a media interview prepared and early. We've seen competent CEOs drown in uncharted media waters. Being unprepared guarantees you won't get asked back. When you are contacted for any kind of media interview ask the following questions:

  • What is the angle of the interview?

  • Is the interview for Television, Radio, Print or the Internet?

  • Will the reporter be interviewing anyone else for the same story?

  • How much time will you have for the interview?

  • What is the date the story will air?

Keep adding questions to your own checklist to help you prepare for your interviews. The following tips will help you:

Tip 1: Preview any show or publication before your interview.

Tip 2: Know what you want to talk about so you get your main messages across.

Tip 3: Prepare for the questions you expect to be asked.

Tip 4: Create 10-15 second sound bites that are memorable and get your point across.

Tip 5: Understand colors and styles that are effective for on camera interviews.

Tip 6. Create any graphs, photos, or video to enhance your story in advance of the interview.

Being prepared and knowledgeable about your impending interview will boost your confidence and help you get the most from your media experiences.

About The Author

Judy Jernudd is the CEO of STARtegic, a Media Consulting and Coaching firm in Beverly Hills, California. Companies that benefit from STARtegic Media and Presentation Coaching include IBM, Mobile Corporation, Dow, NASA and the United States Postal Service. Judy is the author of "Media Star Power ABCs to Successful TF, Radio, Print & Net Interviews." More information can be found at: www.MediaStarPower.com.

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Anatomy Of A PR Campaign

The message is determined by analyzing the brand being marketed,... Read More

The Ultimate PR Scam

It happens to business, non-profit and association managers when their... Read More

PR Failure Defined

I define public relations failure this way:key audience perceptions are... Read More

Public Relations & Your Small Business

The practice of public relations is often misunderstood, thus overlooked... Read More

Go Ahead, Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Call a Reporter

Yes, you can call a reporter.I've said it before, in... Read More

Managers: Can We Agree on This?

Your public relations effort really should involve more than press... Read More

Why PR is a Vital Force

Because it can alter individual perception and lead to changed... Read More

Can Your PR Do This?

Can your PR do something positive about the behaviors of... Read More

Television Reporters - Questions to Ask Before Agreeing to an Interview

Prior to a TV interview it is guaranteed the journalist... Read More

Five Great News Stories You?re Sitting On Right Now

Smaller companies don't always have the budget - or inclination... Read More

The Key to Great PR

The Key to Great PR is PerseveranceBy Paula Gardner of... Read More

How Marketing-Minded Financial Planners Get Publicity

You've probably noticed, if you live on this planet, that... Read More

Grandma Says...

Southern grandmothers have often said, "there are only three... Read More

5 Critical Tests Every Press Release Must Pass

You've heard "them" say it, haven't you?By "them" I mean... Read More

Make the Media Your Friend

The media (newspaper, radio, television) can be of enormous help... Read More

Do I Really Need a Publicist?

Are you hesitating about hiring a publicist or, if you... Read More

Why Good PR Warrants Your Attention

Because good public relations can alter individual perception and lead... Read More

Publicity - How to Write a Headline That Will Garner Free Publicity

Taking your ad and turning it into paragraph-style prose is... Read More

10 Ways to Get the Media to Love You

So you've put yourself "out there" with a public relations... Read More

Why PR Can be Effective Medicine

When properly applied by business, non-profit and association managers, public... Read More

Media Training: Exposing Reporter Tricks -- Three Tactics Designed to Get You

A reporter's job is to get the most accurate and... Read More

10 Tips for Tantalizing News Releases

Want to get radio interviews and coverage in print publications... Read More

How to Write a Media Release That Wins You Coverage & Exposure

The Today show? The New York Times? Vanity Fair? What's... Read More

Publicity From Thin Air

In an ideal world, your business would be overflowing withnewsworthy... Read More

Publicity: Polls and Surveys Are a Great Path Free Publicity

When I search Google News for "surveys," I get nearly... Read More

Managers Who Leave PR to Others

You're a business, non-profit or association manager who needs to... Read More

PR Planning: Mapping Out Your Strategies, Tactics

With all due respect to all those stereotypical males out... Read More

PR and the Small Matter of Results

As a business, non-profit and association manager, how satisfied are... Read More

Dont Use PR

?lose the confidence of your key target audiences? discourage them... Read More

Public Relations Strategies: Focus PR Campaigns with Media Coverage Analysis

Prior to launching a new public relations campaign, evaluate the... Read More

Publicity - The Right Media Person to Call for Free Publicity

You won't accomplish much if you call the gas company... Read More

Managers: Heres a PR Template for You

Let's start out with a caution for business, non-profit and... Read More

Media Training: Stop Talking, Already!

THE TWO MINUTES UNDERDOGEdward Everett was one of the most... Read More