3 Reasons Why You Need to Rock the Media Interview

When you apply for a job, getting the interview is a great thing. However, you know you have to rock the interview to actually get the job.

It's the same thing with the media. Pitching to reporters is the first step. And when you get the interview, it's awesome.

But here are a few reasons why the message is just as important -- if not more so -- as getting the interview itself.

Related: 3 Tips for a Good Media Interview

• If you have a dynamic, engaging interview, reporters will use you again as a resource.
• If your message is awesome, the public will heed and respond to your call for more volunteers, more donations or to check out the book or website from the wonderful tips you have given.
• You can use the clips on your website as a testament to your great speaking skill for future media interviews or engagements.

The moral of the story? The work just begins when you get the interview. Crafting your message and sharing it in a compelling way is the most important step.

Read more: 3 Ways Publicity Can Make You Money

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and publicity strategist with The Write Vision Group, Inc. With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how to get their programs and efforts in the news.

Music to a Reporter's Ears

Reporters are often -- OK, let's just say always -- on some sort of deadline.

While most of us are fully aware that our sources are not always sitting by the phone or staring at the computer waiting on a message for a quote we need, it is still not a good feeling when we can't get in touch with the person we need.

Here are a couple of things you can do to assauge the reporter's anxiety...and it helps to establish yourself as a contact the reporter may want to try again:

• Have a "If you're a reporter on deadline..." alternative on your voicemail - This is music to a reporter's ears. It means there's another way to get in touch with you and it's usually a cell phone number.
• Provide another contact - Make sure the reporter knows who your second-in-command is...and who else is authorized to speak on your organization's behalf. It's OK to be unavailable or go on vacation, but be sure you don't miss a media mention because of it.
• Say which messages you check most often - Not a phone person? Are you the type who lets the voicemail inbox fill up? Say that: "Hey, you know what? I'm better with email so if you really want to get a hold of me faster, send it to this email address."

The moral of the story? It's OK, and mostly expected, that you won't be available all of the time. But providing these alternatives is a great way to help the reporter out.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media relations consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc. With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how to get their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism.

Don't Say Too Much

As a reporter, I've often gone to interviews where I arrived with one story and left with a completely different one.

This wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Usually, this is how it happened: after digging around a little in an interview, I found some tidbit or aspect that was a little more interesting than what I was originally asking about. This made for a better story -- and more attention to that person or organization's cause.

However, if you don't stay on track during your interview, you could end up with a piece you didn't envision. The best ways to make sure that you deliver the message you intended -- and, no, telling the reporters what questions to ask will not help you; it mostly only annoys the reporter --  include:

• Create three bullet points about what you want the reporter to know.
• Expand on those points with anecdotes, facts, figures and statistics.
• Don't be afraid to elaborate, but don't stray too far from the topic at hand, especially into controversial territory or subjects that you don't know much about.

The moral of the story? Reporters are there to dig out what's interesting, fresh and exciting about your story. Make sure you deliver your story in a package that satisfies those elements -- but don't say anything that causes your story to become unrecognizable.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media relations consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc. With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how to get their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism.

Know When to Fold 'Em

Everyone has that one reporter that is impossible to contact. This person is so elusive that reaching out to them is like trying to catch the wind. So close, yet so far.

It may not be that this reporter talks to everyone on the planer except for, so don't take it personally. They may just legitimately be busy. If you have contacted this reporter several times by phone, email and/or smoke signal to no avail, it may be time to give it up.

I'm not suggesting that you don't pitch to the reporter anymore; I'm saying that instead of trying to get the one-on-one that is escaping you, just add them to your email list and continue to send great pitches and/or releases their way.

The moral of the story? Put your information out there concisely and consistently, but don't make yourself a pest. When something interests them, they will call. 

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc. With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how to get their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism. 

You've Got the Interview...Now What?

Your day has come. You have pitched and reported called you back.

Here's your moment to shout, "Yay!"

But after that, here are three tips to keep you on track during your interview:

1. Don't spend a whole lot of time talking about your competitors. This holds true if you're a business or organization or whatever. This is your moment to shine. Instead of blatantly saying, "Company X doesn't do this..." simply focus on whatever it is that you do.
2. Listen to the interviewers' question...and answer it. Do this to the best of your ability and stay on track. Nobody likes a rambler.
3. Have an idea of what you're going to say before the interview. Make a list of three to five succinct points that you know you want to make and don't stray too far from those points.

At the end of it all, your dynamic interview will become a dynamic story.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc. With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how to get their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism.