Tuesday, June 12, 2012

How to talk to the media



Speak slowly. Tap your foot as you speak to slow yourself 
down.

Pause between phrases. Wait for the reporter to catch up.

Speak in sound bites. The shorter the sentence, the better.

Use short words. Two syllables are better than three.  

Do not use jargon. If you have to explain a word, you will 
lose your audience—and your reporter.  

Use the "child" test. In your mind, explain it to a child.

Avoid complex sentences. If half got lost, would it mean 
what you want?

Never say anything you wouldn't want your boss, your 
mother or everyone you've ever met to know.

If you must say something you don't want to admit, go  
"Off the Record." Never do this unless you absolutely 
have to. The reporter may respect it, but an editor may 
not.

If you don't know something, say you're not sure, but 
you’ll find out. Then, get back ASAP.

If a reporter calls and you can’t talk, find out their 
deadline. Tell them when you’ll get back to them.  

The media usually only calls once on a story. If you don’t 
get back to them—and you are not absolutely crucial to 
the story—you will never hear from them again. 

For more information on Dell Richards Publicity, call us 
at 916.455.4790 or visit www.dellrichards.com.