How to Answer Questions From a Reporter Without Messing Up

By The Newman Group, Inc. — 1 comment
Answer questions, Reporter Q&A

Always answer questions truthfully

Once you’ve mentioned your key messages during an interview with a reporter, are you prepared to answer the questions that are sure to be asked?

The Q&A can be the most important part of the interview. If you blow an answer – or blow off the reporter – all your media training and hard work will be down the drain.

Maintain Control

You can’t control the reporter or the content of a story. You can, and must, control your input into the reporter’s story throughout the interview. …Read more…

Presentation Skills

Doing a Satellite Media Tour Without Ever Boarding a Plane

By The Newman Group, Inc. — Leave a comment

Fotolia_29856664_XS

In post-pandemic days, airlines may never be as crowded as they had been before the coronavirus hit. Some form of social distancing is likely to become part of the “new normal.” But that doesn’t mean that you will see the return of media spokespersons to the skies.

That’s because even if fares drop it will still be relatively expensive to send a spokesperson from city to city with the cost of airline tickets, taxis, meals and hotels.

Besides, traveling isn’t much fun when you’re squeezed into an economy class seat.

Travel by Satellite

These days many media spokespersons travel the world simply by sitting in a studio and taking a satellite media tour. …Read more…

Presentation Skills

When Your Stump Speech Goes Stale

By The Newman Group, Inc. — Leave a comment

How’s your stump speech?

You’re not a politician, you say. You don’t give stump speeches. But think about it. If you’re on a company’s new business team, or a member of their speaker’s bureau, you’re giving stump speeches all the time. They’re just called media interviews or presentations.

Aren’t they similar to what the presidential and congressional candidates are doing right now in their stump speeches? You’re pounding away at your key messages every time you speak. …Read more…

Presentation Skills

Why the Reporter Didn’t Quote You — or Your Client

By The Newman Group, Inc. — 1 comment
Why wasn't I quoted?

Why wasn’t I quoted?

Nothing is worse than picking up the phone and hearing an irate client on the other end of the line asking, “Why wasn’t I quoted? Why did I waste my time talking to John Jones? How come you didn’t make sure I was included in the story?”

You’re lucky if you’ve never experienced that sinking feeling in your gut because you, or your client, weren’t quoted in a story after a media interview.

Definitely not a fun experience! …Read more…

Presentation Skills
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