Media Training Articles
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
This is vital. Failing to prepare is like walking into battle unarmed. Even if it is a friendly, non-confrontational interview, lack of preparation will leave you looking inept, confused, unfocussed.
Preparation means looking for the things YOU WANT TO SAY. For example:
- Firm, positive facts that will mean something to the audience
- Not more than two or three main points - otherwise you will have difficulty remembering them
- Facts and ideas that support the impression you want to give
- Statistics (but not too many) that support your main points
- Examples that will illustrate the points you want to make, and perhaps put a human face on them
But...
...don't try to second-guess the interviewer's questions. By all means, work out how you would answer the trickiest questions that could come your way. But you will never be able to forecast all the questions.
...don't try to learn any of your material. At best, it will sound stilted, and will prevent the interview sounding like a normal conversation.
And remember...
...you're there because you are an expert.
...you know more about your subject than the interviewer ever will.
Draw strength and confidence from that.
