8 tips for receiving favorable press coverage
An interview is a great way to boost recognition for your client or brand, but you must come to the table prepared. These tactics can help communicators build positive relationships with reporters.
Related: How to Improve Your Networking Skills
1. Speak clearly
Ever say something you wish you could take back? When you’re in the limelight, your words are magnified even more. Any slip of the tongue can get you in trouble and hurt not only your own reputation, but the reputation of your brand or organization as well. And it’s not just saying something politically incorrect or taboo that can get you in trouble. You can also get a negative image by speaking poorly.
In this day and age, if you sound like an idiot in an interview, it’s instantly all over social media—your inarticulateness in all its glory. If you have the tendency to stammer or use filler words (um, uh, so, like, hmmm, etc.), you need to learn to do one thing. Pause.
Yes, it’s that simple. You don’t need to be uttering sound the entire time during an interview. A pause can be purposeful, strategic and helpful and will keep you from spitting out words that have no purpose.
2. Repeat the question
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.
