Become Media-Ready with These Expert Interview Tips

Effective personal communication with the media and your audience is a key part of your brand. The world’s top CEOs receive training in how to navigate media appearances and ensure a positive PR impact.

You need to train too.

Anti-PR Strategist Karla Jo Helms shares five insider tips in her?YouTube video?to help you nail your next interview and captivate your audience. She emphasizes that?it's not just about what you say, it's how you say it.

Watch The Video →

Watch the?video here, or dive in to understand the power of a well-executed media appearance.

1. Know Your Key Messages

Before stepping in front of the camera or picking up the phone,?you need to have a clear understanding of your key messages. What are the three most important points you want to convey? Make sure these messages align with your brand's values and resonate with your target audience.

Consider the challenges your customers face and how your expertise can provide solutions. By focusing on the value you bring to the table,?you'll be better equipped to steer the conversation towards showcasing your brand’s uniqueness.

2. Prepare for Tough Questions

While it's important to focus on your key messages,?journalists are trained to ask probing questions that can catch you off guard if you're not ready.

• Anticipate potential tough questions and develop thoughtful, honest responses
• Practice delivering these responses in a calm, confident manner
• If you don't know the answer to a question, it's okay to say so and offer to follow up with more information later

It's okay to admit when you don't have an answer.?If faced with a difficult question, simply acknowledge it and offer to follow up with more information later.

3. Master the Soundbite

Attention spans are short. Deliver your message in short, punchy statements that encapsulate your key points and leave a lasting impression.

When crafting your soundbites, think like a journalist. What quote would you love to have featured in an article about your brand?

4. Control the Conversation

Remember, you're not at the mercy of the interviewer's questions. You have the power to control the conversation and ensure your key messages are heard.

Use bridging techniques to pivot from tough questions back to your core ideas.

Don't be afraid to politely challenge false premises or steer the discussion in a more productive direction.

5. Practice, Practice, Practice

Like any skill, media training requires practice.?Before your interview, conduct mock sessions with a colleague or PR professional.?Have them ask tough questions and provide feedback on your responses. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you'll become.

In addition to honing your messaging, pay attention to your body language and tone.?Nonverbal cues can be just as powerful as words.

Effective communication is a must-have for success. By mastering these insider tips, you'll be well on your way to becoming a?media maven and elevating your brand's visibility.

Contact JOTO PR Disruptors?to learn how our Anti-PR approach can help you disrupt your industry and take your media presence to the next level.