How to Retain Control in a Media Interview

!±8± How to Retain Control in a Media Interview

1) Preparation

More spokespeople fail because of what happened (or didn't happen) ahead of an interview rather than during it. Go into every interview with a well prepared agenda so that you are focused on the messages that you want to get across to the audience.

2) Focus on achieving a win-win

Try not to approach the interview as a battle for supremacy between you and the journalist. Aim for content which is beneficial to you and your organisation, but which will also be of relevance and interest to the reporter and their viewers, listeners or readers. The best possible result is that both of you end up feeling that it has been a successful interview.

3) Hit the ground running

Try to make a good first impression with a confident but empathetic first answer. Striking the right tone at the beginning of the interview can secure the engagement and interest of the interviewer and win their trust. Not only that, it will provide you with the self-confidence to proceed with a polished and engaging performance.

4) Be pro-active in communicating your messages

Always acknowledge the question (and answer it briefly if possible) then take the interview in the direction you want it to go. Try to include at least one key message in every answer during the interview. This will help you stick to your agenda and take control of the interview

5) Address inaccuracies head on

Do not let inaccuracies or negative comments or statements pass - respond and refute firmly but politely then move back to your key messages. If you fail to do this, viewers may assume that the assertion of the reporter is in fact correct.

6) Stay in control of yourself

Remain calm and collected and in control of yourself at all times. Losing your temper will never help your cause, and can result in you saying the wrong thing in the heat of the moment. It will likely make for dramatic TV, but do nothing to enhance your reputation.

Remaining in control during a media interview is a key skill for anyone required to act as a spokesperson. At first, it can be enormously challenging, but with media training, the application of the techniques outlined above and lots of practice, most people can master this art. Doing so will ensure that you get maximum value out of every media encounter and feel a lot less nervous when going into them.