10/01/2023
Every company, be it a startup or a mid-cap company, must deal with journalists to ensure any press attention that will improve its brand positioning. It’s not easy talking to a journalist, as you could inadvertently say the wrong thing or lose control of your brand’s story while you tell yours. Here are five tips that would be useful when you’re talking to a journalist.
1. Don’t wing it – Always prepare before you talk to a journalist. Never wing it. If you have time before the interview, try to prepare answers to potential questions that you could be asked. If possible, ask the journalist about the focus of the discussion so you have an idea of the direction you want to take.
2. If you don’t know the answer to a question, don’t try to be casual and say whatever comes to your mind. Tell them that you need time and will get back to them.
3. Be responsive – If a journalist has emailed you and requested an interview, respond immediately by writing back to them and confirming the date and time of the interview. Journalists are often very busy, and you need to respect their time. Sometimes, a journalist might need to talk to you about a time-sensitive story, and if you respond late, it’s a lost opportunity and a reason for the journalist not to contact you the next time.
4. Don’t be aggressive – A journalist’s job is to get deep into the story, and they might ask intrusive questions, which could bother you. But it’s never a good idea to display aggressiveness with a journalist. On the contrary, be helpful as far as possible. If you are meeting a journalist in person, then be aware of your body language and the subconscious signals it sends. Be cautious of your tongue and tone for a phone interview, as it can be misinterpreted.
5. Don’t lie – This goes without saying but still needs to be said because people don’t realize the far-reaching repercussions that can emerge from lying to a journalist. https://www.rentapr.ch/2019/03/17/five-tips-for-talking-to-journalists/
