Have you been misquoted? Not quoted? Taken out of context? Or frustrated because a reporter didn’t do his or her research before speaking with you? The nature of media interviews is changing, and PR strategies must change with it.
First, consider how reporters’ jobs have changed. I’ve seen reporters posting up to 10 articles each day. Why? There are fewer of them – according to The Wall Street Journal, for every journalist there are 4.6 PR people. The news cycle can be mere seconds long and it goes all day and all night. So reporters are under the gun. Being first is important so comprehensiveness and accuracy can sometimes take second-chair to speed (it’s become a common practice for reporters to update and correct their stories after they go live).This environment has created the opportunity for company-generated content, and it’s reduced the time reporters have for research and interviews. However, with some thoughtful preparation, you can get quoted as you intend. Here’s how:
Much like public speaking, the only way to get good at media interviews is by practicing. If you’ve never done one before, consider some media training in advance.
Beth is the CEO of Inkhouse, which she co-founded in 2007 and has grown into one of the top ranked agencies in the country. Beth’s been recognized as one of the Top Women in PR by PR News, the Top 25 Innovators by The Holmes Report and as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. Beth believes that shared values, and the freedom to create are the foundations of all meaningful work. She brings this philosophy to building a culture of creative progress at Inkhouse.