Because I've worked as a reporter for the past 20 years or so, I'm used to asking the questions. That's why it's been such a switch for me to change hats off the job, where I've recently taken up the roles of both public relations rep and the person being interviewed by the press.
I've always been interested in the outdoors and more recently in birds and so I became involved with our local Audubon Society chapter. Last year I was elected to chair the publicity committee. Until recently this has consisted mainly of putting together and distributing brochures and flyers to publicize events. It also has meant working with the local newspaper to establish contacts.
But things really started to heat up when I got a call recently from a reporter at the newspaper. It turns out that a half-dozen or so bald eagles had taken up residence in the woods adjacent to a local shopping center and word had reached the newspaper. Since I was established as the Audubon group's contact, the reporter called me with questions about why these very large birds would choose such a spot, so close to cars and people.
She interviewed someone from our organization, but still had questions. I made some frantic calls and lined up another board member for the reporter to interview. The result was a nice, page-one, above-the-fold article two days later.
That's when the fun really began. I got a call that a TV news station was doing a story on the eagles and also wanted to interview someone from our organization. No one else was available and I was on vacation that day, so I volunteered.
I've had some on-camera TV experience, but it's been quite a while. So I made a list of the dos and don'ts I could remember and prepared to put them to use again.
In a couple of hours I met the reporter at the site and answered her questions on-camera. The interview went well (and was short, thank goodness) and aired that evening.
It later occurred to me that as interviewer during my day job and as volunteer PR rep and interviewee on my own time, I can offer some tips for anyone preparing for a television interview—some of these points are applicable to print medium as well. Here are my suggestions:
• Find out in advance what the reporter wants to know, or needs to flesh out the story
• Ask yourself possible questions and rehearse the answers
• Try to take an interesting, unique approach if possible
• Think of any other possible related questions that could be asked
• Plan what to wear and keep it simple. No crazy plaids or neon colors
• Since your face is what will be featured, wear a flattering color (but not too bright) near your face, such as a tie or scarf. For example, since I was to be interviewed outdoors and would wear a black coat, I tied a bright tartan scarf around my neck
• Ask where you should be looking during the interview—at the reporter or the camera
• Remind yourself, often, to smile.
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