On our courses each week, we’re constantly sharing our media interview tips.
Whether it’s print or television, sitting down with a journalist can be extremely daunting.
What will they ask? How do I respond? How will I come across?
They’re all valid points and concerns.
But they can all be overcome.
Let’s break down five ways to prepare yourself ahead of any media interview.
Regardless of the size of the organisation, chances are you’ll be able to find out a little about your interviewer.
By doing some digging of your own, you can investigate their specialism.
Read the stories they’ve published in the past.
Perhaps you’ll be able to build some rapport with a common area of interest.
At the very least, you’ll be able to put a face to the name of the person you’re about to meet.
That’s always helpful for calming the nerves.
You’ve planned what you want to say.
But will you remember those points?
Before you go in, take note of the key messages for yourself and your organisation.
Follow our tip of creating two lists.
An A list for all your key messages and a B list for anything you’d fear being asked.
This gives you real clarity ahead of the interview.
Plus it’ll help you segue more easily from a negative question to a positive answer.
This is a matter of practicality more than anything else.
For broadcast interviews, prints are often a poor choice as they can cause on-screen visual problems, like strobing.
You want to be sure to avoid clashing or blending in with branding, so plan colours ahead of time.
This means skipping any red hues for a BBC News studio appearance.
For newspapers and magazines there may well be a photographer, so it’s important to think about where you’ll be pictured.
Outdoors? Avoid jungle prints.
A medical setting? Think about skipping a white coat or risk impersonating a doctor.
There are plenty of jokes about journalists making mad dashes from one job to the next.
The last thing anyone needs is being late, especially for an interview.
Take time to make sure you know where you’re going and how long it’ll take to get there.
Are there roadworks? A major event shutting down roads? Be prepared for it all.
Most journalists are only allotted a certain amount of time per interview, so make the most of your window.
I know this sounds obvious, and it’s likely something your mum has been telling you for years, but it’s true.
The best you’ll feel ahead of a big event is when you’ve had a full eight hours the night before.
The problem, though, is this is easier said than done if you’re nervous.
Treat the day before as a time to tire yourself out.
As you would do with a child on Christmas Eve, think of things that will induce sleep.
Can you go to the gym? Take a walk in the fresh air? Have a hot bath?
Find a way to get your shuteye.
If you’d benefit from more help in dealing with the media, get in touch with us.
Our courses give you the chance to practice your own broadcast interviews in a safe space.
Our team’s made up of former and current journalists ready to put you through your paces.
It’s time to put these tips to the test.
Maxine Montgomery is our Media & Communications Trainer.
Read more about her here.
All photos in Media interview tips blog by Pink Elephant Communications.
Media interview tips blog written by Maxine Montgomery.
Media interview tips blog edited by Colin Stone.
15th August 2023 Featured in: Blog, Media training blogs By: Pink Elephant
Some media trainers knock you down…and leave you down. Our media coaches show you how to deal with each knock…and still win through. So you have the presentation skills to perform – with confidence.