Tips in nailing an interview with a journalist

Congratulations! Your storytelling and pitching has landed you an interview with a journalist. Now what you ask? Next step, is preparing for your interview so you nail it.

As the spokesperson doing the interview I would hope and assume you know your content and facts. Make sure you know what you are talking about.

Sound bites…you need to provide these! What are these you ask? Short, snappy quotes media can use.

When a journalist asks a questions it is a good idea to include the question in your answer to put your response in context. For example: Why is your latest technology innovative? Answer with the question included: “Our latest technology is innovative because….”

Do not waffle on! Just get straight to the point. Waffling on and talking way too much is dangerous for two reasons. You run the risk of boring the journalist and never been asked to do another interview in the future…or you could accidentally say something on record to the journalist that you really didn’t want in the news. And you are on record so these statements cannot be retracted and can be used in the story. It is your mistake sharing information you didn’t want in the media. No the journalist’s fault reporting a story. The buck lies with you on this one.

Try not to be too nervous and shy. Let your personality shine through in the interview. This keeps it interesting and again doesn’t leave the journalist feeling bored and lifeless after interviewing you.

If you think you might face some tough questions prepare before the interview how you would handle them. Play devils advocate and write down the toughest questions you could get asked. And prepare what your answers would be (in this situation this where it is really dangerous to waffle on). Now practice your answers. Memorise them like an actor memorises lines for a film or TV show.

And lastly, remember to have fun. You have been asked to do an interview with a journalist, which is a real honour.

Good luck nailing those interviews!

~ The Dawn til Dusk Publicity team.