“Media Tips From Your PR Doctor For Effective Electronic Media Interviews”
By J. Glenn Ebersole, Jr., Founder & Chief Executive of J. G. Ebersole Associates and The Renaissance Group ™
Have you ever been interviewed by the electronic media. Have you ever declined an interview because you felt totally fearful and uneasy on TV or radio? Have you been interviewed and then wished you would have had the benefit of some tips to prepare for and deliver a more effective interview? Well, I want to offer you another set of tips or as I like to call it – another prescription from your PR Doctor – to use for your next interview opportunity.
A Prescription For Effective TV Interviews:
1. Prepare for the interview by developing some quotable quotes that are succinct, memorable and to the point.
2. Prepare key messages to use and bridge back to your key messages when answering questions during the interview.
3. Think in sound bites. You can enhance the effectiveness of your interview if you use examples, anecdotes and graphics.
4. Avoid the phrase “I think” since this weakens the impact of your message and the sound bite.
5. Remain calm and smile! Smiles are an effective way to accentuate your message.
6 Look at the interviewer so it does not appear that your eyes are wandering.
7. Lean slightly forward towards the camera. This will promote a feeling of intimacy and it will make you look thinner.
8. Wear a dark jacket. Avoid white shirts without jackets. A dark jacket helps convey confidence and credibility.
9. Drink water to make sure you are fully hydrated. Do not drink milk, caffeine or alcohol since they will negatively impact your performance.
10. Rehearse! Always practice your key messages and quotable quotes and how to work them into the interview.
A Prescription for Effective Radio Interviews:
1. Prepare your talking points and write them down as a way to prompt yourself.
2. Remember, you are being interviewed due to your knowledge of a subject. You are the “expert” and you need to be confident, prepared and straightforward.
3. Use a reliable and clear phone connection for a telephone interview. Always turn off the call waiting feature. Do not use a cell phone or headset.
4. If you do not understand a question, ask for clarification. Do not assume you know what they are asking.
5. Compliment the interviewer when a very good question is asked.
6. Refer to the interviewer by name in the interview conversation. This will create a more intimate conversation, make the interviewer feel good and make the audience feel they have access to a private conversation.
7. Sell yourself to the listening audience.
8. Be prepared for any interview opportunity and do not judge an interview by its length. Any interview has the potential for positive rewards for you.
9. Be sensitive to time during the interview. Keep an eye on the clock so you can help ensure you get time for a closing comment.
10. Seek media training for interviews. This can be a major plus and give you a powerful advantage if you learn the strategies and techniques for great interviews.
If you would like to find out more about effectively working with the media and delivering effective interviews on TV and radio, please contact Glenn Ebersole through his web site at www.prdoctor4u.com or by email at jgeprman@aol.com.
“Media Tips From Your PR Doctor For Effective Electronic Media Interviews” - To learn more about this author, visit Glenn Ebersole's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
|
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}
