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Meeting the Media |
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Story : Jon Bradshaw |
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Here are some pointers that I hope will ensure that your next interview flows sweetly and that you walk away feeling proud of yourself. 1. Don’t fly by the seat of your pants. It is worth the trouble and the time to prepare. Know the facts and be able to clearly articulate your position. Make notes of what is important for you to get across so that if the interviewer strays you can drag them gently back on course. In telephone interviews with a reporter make sure that you get any materials which support or illustrate your story to them. Many reporters will appreciate this as they are often on a tight deadline. 2. Don’t ask for questions in advance or you will sound stilted, rehearsed and totally lacking in spontaneity. I don’t mind giving people some ideas about an agenda but I react badly when they ask for questions in advance. After all, an interview is a focused, directed conversation between two professionals. 3. Remember that what you don’t say is just as important as what you do, so positive body language is a key to success. If you want to lie back, legs extended and put your arms behind your head you will be seen more than a little negatively. Sit up and look confident without looking stiff and for goodness sake don’t grin all the time like a Cheshire cat. However, a smile makes you look warm, confident and approachable. If you sit on the very edge of the chair you will appear as being ready to bolt, so plant yourself carefully as if you are too far back you will appear uninterested. If you sit throughout the interview with your arms folded you will appear very defensive, but don’t gesticulate wildly either, or on film especially you will appear slightly hysterical, even demented. Extend a firm handshake, smile and make eye contact when being welcomed. Everybody hates the limp handshake of a wimp almost as much as the iron grip of an arm wrestler. Please remember to check your clothing, makeup, hair and smile. I interviewed the CEO of an airline recently who was a charming gentleman but I was constantly distracted by the sight of what appeared to be a piece of salad stuck between his teeth. 4. Too much to remember? Then try practicing with a friend until you feel relaxed and confident. Too many people are scared of reporters and the whole interaction becomes gladiatorial. A good interviewer will help you relax and lead you to talk more. If they seem impatient and interrupt it may well be because you need to be more succinct. An interview should never become an inquisition. You are an equal partner to the conversation. Believe this and watch your nervousness disappear! 5. Remember to answer the question put to you. Don’t wander off on a lengthy tangent. Always be open and honest. If you are not free to comment then say so. If you are unsure then tell them you will check out the answer and get back to them. Make sure you do get back to them as your integrity and ongoing relationship with the media is at stake. Yes or no answers are a real conversation stopper so try and provide a lively, unpremeditated conversation and lo and behold you will find that you are enjoying the experience. 6. My pet one! Please don’t talk too quickly. People who speak slowly are seen as having more confidence and power. It also makes people listen harder, gives you time to think ahead and gives the poor journalist more time to write. If you are one of the many who tend to gabble when nervous, then deep breathe and practice, practice, practice. 7. Two warnings. Firstly, unless you know and trust the interviewer don’t say anything that you would not want to appear in print. If the interviewer is unknown to you then believe that there is no such thing as off the record. Secondly, never let a media person put words in your mouth. It is never a legitimate tactic but some will try and trap you into a damning comment by making a statement then asking if you agree with them. Tony Blair is good at handling this. He simply says, “I am not sure I agree with that entirely. What I think is...’ 8. Finally, and most importantly whether you are talking about yourself, property, investment or any topic under the sun, if you want to be proud of yourself then be seen and written up as caring, genuine, honest, warm and human. Nobody likes an aggressive smart-ass. If viewers or readers feel they have learned something or been entertained by you then you have helped restore one’s faith in humanity. Jon is a NewZealander who for the past four years has lived and worked in Bangkok.
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Many, perhaps most of us, have left an interview with the media feeling somewhat disappointed with ourselves and thinking we could have handled it better. |
Tropical Living: September 2007, Volume 7 Issue 4 |
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