How-to Prepare Yourself for a Media Interview

When launching a media relations campaign, it's easy to get so lost in pitching the media, that you forget you also need to prepare, to be ready when the media does call.  And you need to be prepared for different types of interviews, from print, to radio, to TV.  Keep in mind that interview calls often come when the media is on a deadline and needs an interview - now!  In those situations, you need to be ready to move in a flash, you have to be prepared and ready to go.

Although media relations usually takes some time, there are those instances that a press release immediately hits the jackpot. For example you could email a press release at 9 a.m. and be doing a live TV interview at noon that same day. You have to be ready. Remember; don't unleash the power of the media until you're prepared to control it. Public relations can be tricky because you have to be both patient and prepared. If you're not prepared to do an interview, it could turn out to be a dismal experience. You can end up feeling depressed and embarrassed, the media will feel cheated, and you will have wasted an incredible opportunity. 

So how do you prepare for a media interview? Review the image you want to convey - small town and friendly, authoritative, professional, humorous, artistic, formal and business-like, etc.  Know the image you want to convey. Make sure that your image matches your personality. If you are basically shy and retiring, don't try to come off like a rock star. That's not going to work. You may have to learn to project more and become a bit more forceful with your responses, but those are simply tools you learn to utilize when needed. Keep your voice modulated. Be dynamic, but not frenzied. Your mission here is not to alter your personality, but to enhance it. Do practice interviews.  If you can hire a media trainer, great.  If not practice with a friend, or in front of a mirror.  Have both your information and your delivery ready to go. That way, when the media does respond, you'll be ready.

Copyright © Anthony Mora 2009