5 Ways to Prepare for an Interview with the Media
Media interviews are an important part of business success. They're also a great way to learn how to improve your communication skills. This article will teach you how to prepare for media interviews to succeed in any situation.
Know what questions you will be asked.
Before you go into a media interview, make sure you know what you will be asked. You should prepare a list of questions before walking through the door. If you don't, then you might not be able to answer them correctly.
Be prepared to answer them.
Here's how to prepare for a media interview:
Know whom you're talking to. Find out as much as possible about the reporter, editor, or producer before you sit down. This includes knowing their name, title, company affiliation, and any other relevant information.
Have a clear idea of what you want to say. Think about what you want to cover in the interview. What are the main points you want to make? Are there any key facts you want to emphasize?
Write down your answers. Make sure you write down everything you plan to say so you won't forget anything.
Have a good story to tell.
Practice your answers.
Practice! Before the interview, practice answering questions by yourself. You might even ask a friend or family member to help you rehearse.
Don’t forget to smile 🙂
A smile goes a long way. Even if you aren't on camera, smiling can often give an upbeat sound to your voice. Try it! It works.
Here are some more things to know for the day of the interview:
Be confident. Don't worry too much about whether you will "be perfect" during the interview. Instead, focus on being prepared and comfortable.
Know what you're talking about. If you don't know the answer to a question, say so. It's okay to admit when you don't know something.
Be honest and tell the interviewer what you really think. This shows them that you care about the subject matter.
Be polite and respectful to the journalist and their organization, as well as when talking about anyone else. Including those within your organization, community members, or even others within your industry.
Be professional and dress appropriately. Find out where you will be interviewed so you can prepare. Is it on camera, audio, or just being interviewed for a written article?
Media interviews are often stressful because you're not only trying to impress the interviewer but also yourself. Therefore, you need to ensure that you're prepared for the interview and that you come across as confident and knowledgeable.
