So, you have a media interview lined up – congratulations! This could be a great opportunity to grow your fanbase, sell loads of books and be invited back. Or, if you fail to prepare, you could end up making a complete mess of things. Use these questions to ensure you’re prepared for your interview and you’ll come out looking like a pro.
What is my core message?- Why is this of interest to the listener/viewer?
- How can I back this up – e.g. my experiences, anecdotes from others, research, evidence?
- What should be done? – e.g. I’m calling for…
- If nothing is done what will be the outcome? e.g. ‘It will be a disaster…’
- Who am I to say this? Tell them why you are worth listening to on this point. e.g. ‘ Week in week out, I talk to people with this problem…”
- If I had 10-20 seconds to make my point, what would I say? Practice that short soundbite so you can bring it out triumphantly in the interview.
General Questions You May Be Asked by The Interviewer
- What’s happened? Or is going to happen?
- Why?
- What do you think about it?
- What will the effect be?
- What can be done?
- What should be done?
- Why do you think this?
- Who are you to say this?
- What experience do you have to back this up?
- Give me an example?
- What’s likely to happen in the future?
Getting Your Point Across In The Interview
- Think about the points you want to make and make sure you make them
- Don’t come out saying ‘They didn’t ask me the right questions’.
- Find out how long your interview will last and make sure you fit in everything you want to say.
- Don’t play a straight bat to questions. Whatever is bowled at you, hit it where you want.
- Don’t be afraid to stop. Some people go round and round in circles on a point, scared to stop talking.
- Don’t be worried if the interviewer puts his head on one side and waits. It’s an old trick to make you say more than you want to. Don’t fall for it.
Soundbites
Work out your view and think up a clear and concise way of expressing that view. We’re talking soundbites here. The viewer’s attention span is short, so can you sum up your view in 20 seconds … good. Now try and cut it down to 10 seconds. Does it still make sense?
If you come up with a long answer that takes 2 minutes and no part of it stands up on its own, you’re likely to end up on the cutting room floor. Nowadays editing is all digital, so no-one literally ends up on the floor, but you won’t make the Ten O’clock News.
