Many practitioners regard media interviews with a sense of dread – there is often a fear of being misquoted or ‘tripped up’ by unforeseen or difficult questions. However, when handled correctly, press interviews can be a key building block of your professional profile, helping boost visibility, showcase your credentials and pave the way to future success. Media training is a critical tool in your arsenal and with some simple preparation you can mitigate the risks of press interviews and build your confidence.
Much of the ‘fear factor’ of press interviews revolves around the unknown – what is the journalist going to ask? What if they ask something you’re not prepared for? The key is to mitigate as much of this in advance as possible – preparation and practising your techniques will give you confidence. Don’t be afraid to ask the journalist key information in advance:
What do they want to talk to you about? Get as much detail as possible on what they’re looking for and what information they already have