Category:
Recommended
Description and Purpose:
Advice about media interviews.
Method:
Read the following advice, and apply it for media interviews (in so far as it is applicable to your national situation).
Interview Preparation
- Research the program
- Find out the aim and angle of the interview
- Why you, and who else will be interviewed?
- Ask for type of questions to be asked, and the first question
- Live or recorded?
- Who will be interviewer?
- Length of interview?
- Audience?
- Recap your issue
- Focus on your ‘ask’
- Formulate and learn 3 main ‘points to make’ in support of this
- Consider all possible questions and practice answers.
Interview Tips
DOs
- Dress smartly
- Be punctual
- Be relaxed, be yourself
- Answer crisply and directly, speak slowly and clearly
- Keep language and message simple.
- Give ‘sound bites’ of around 20 seconds (practice this!)
- Get your main points in
- Be sure of your facts
- Always sound reasonable and thoughtful
- Paint pictures, use examples
- Be positive and upbeat
- Try to be personable and express passion for the issue
- Be prepared to answer uncomfortable or difficult questions.
- Speak clearly and in a natural voice. Avoid getting upset or angry.
- Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer.
- Mention your organization
DON'Ts
- Exaggerate
- Lose your cool
- Be aggressive, even if challenged
- Be tricked by leading questions
- Waffle or ramble on
- Get sidetracked from your message