The purpose of a media interview is to convey your message and relay your side of the story to the audience maintaining the positive image of your organization at the same time. One mistake can ruin the whole objective of your interview and send out a negative message. Here is the list of things that you must avoid at any cost during a media interview:
1. No Comment
Never say the phrase ‘No comment’ during a media interview. It will look like you are hiding something and the interviewers may keep persisting you to answer. So, just say that you cannot answer at the moment as you need more information on it give an answer.
2. Negative language
Never use negative language regarding your organization even if the interviewer uses it. Avoid those words completely.
3. Complex and technical language
Avoid using jargon and technical terms as not all your audiences are familiar with those phrases or terms.
4. Evading questions
Do not avoid any question no matter how hard it is to answer. It will make you look unreliable in the eyes of the audience. Also never answer these questions with answers that are remotely related to what you have been asked.
5. Over-sharing
It is better to talk to the point and stop talking once you have answered the questions. Sometimes interviewers pause more than needed after you have finished speaking in hope that you will fill the silence by sharing more.
6. Saying ‘I can’t tell you’
If you are not allowed to talk about certain things, do not tell the interviewer that you cannot talk about them. Saying you are not able to talk about it at the moment due to legal reasons is more appropriate.
7. Politically incorrect statements
Politically incorrect statements are frowned upon by the world a lot more than back in the day. It can give your organization a really bad reputation.
8. Personal opinions
When you go to a media interview, you represent your company, not yourself. So, never convey your personal opinions about the matter you talk about in the interview even if the interviewer asks about your personal thoughts.
9. Lengthy answers
People do not have long attention spans these days. Giving a long answer might make your audience lose interest and move on to something else. Use short answers, which will surely keep the listeners engaged.
10. Lecturing
The audiences want to hear what you have to share about your company, its goals, and achievements. They do not want to be lectured on how they should live their lives by you during an interview.
11. Blaming others
The interviewers will obviously ask some tough questions during the interview. So, instead of blaming others for the mess, either take responsibility or discuss the reason behind it and how the organization is dealing with it.
12. ‘Off the record’ statements
Never use the phrase ‘off the record’ in a media interview. It is going to be broadcasted to the public. So, nothing will be off the record in reality.
13. Getting off the track with your message
When your interviewer asks you a question it is easy to bring other topics into the discussion while answering. But this must be avoided at all costs because it gives the interviewer an opportunity to bring up those events as well.
14. Becoming emotional
It is normal for interviewers to provoke you to get more information out of you. You should maintain your composure and avoid answering emotionally.
15. Humor
Joking while answering a serious question may make you seem like you are not taking the discussion seriously.
Follow the above-mentioned tips to have a successful media interview.
