Before the Interview
If you're a faculty or staff member preparing for a media interview or other opportunities to share information about the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, please review the following tips.
- Discuss interview requests and other media opportunities with the communications office in your college or with the university’s Division of Marketing & Communications, if at all possible. Such personnel may have information about the reporter and/or the news organization that could be helpful.
- Get the details about the interview. How much time has been allotted? Will it be live or taped? If it’s a radio interview, will listeners be able to call in with questions? Will it be a panel discussion or a one-on-one interview? If it is a print media interview, will a photographer be coming as well?
- Radio stories are very short -- usually 30 to 60 seconds -- so use short sentences and get to the point. Radio reporters often work under the tightest deadlines because they can be working on a story minutes before it goes on the air.
- Television stories are usually about 90 seconds and focus on visuals. Anticipate questions about the visual aspects of your topic.
- Reporters often seek more details. Use vivid descriptions to make your topic compelling and entertaining.
- Develop three to five key messages that you want to include in some way in your overall responses. The communications staff in your college or in the Division of Marketing & Communications can help you develop these.
- Anticipate questions and prepare answers ahead of time. It’s important to stay on message during the entire interview
- If possible, rehearse and/or record a simulated interview.
- Choose your clothing carefully for television interviews. It’s usually better to dress conservatively and on the formal side. Solid pastel or neutral colors work best; cameras have difficulty responding to high contrast or vivid colors such as black and white or bright red, or to small repeated patterns such as checks, pinstripes or herringbone. For a TV interview, you’ll probably wear a wireless microphone and transmitter, so it’s best to wear something with a pocket or belt to hold the transmitter.
- If it’s a television studio interview or at a location other than your office or lab, plan to get to your location at least 15 minutes early and, ideally, spend time practicing your key messages.
- Although it’s easier said than done, try to relax and focus. Breathing exercises and/or pushing your hands together at the fingertips can help calm nerves. Remember, you’re the expert on the subject under discussion. Here’s your chance to shine!
During the Interview
- Answer questions with your relevant and positive messages, and repeat them at every opportunity. Begin your responses with the most important points. Keep your answers as brief as possible.
- Assume that everything is "on the record." That’s standard procedure even if it’s an electronic media interview and the camera or recorder is not on or if the reporter has put away their notebook. Don’t say anything that you would not want to see on the internet or the front page of the newspaper.
- Don’t be drawn into speculation, hypothetical situations or negative questions. Limit your comments to what you know and keep repeating the positive aspects of the situation.
- Don’t be glib or repeat negative language. Avoid "no comment," which implies that you have something to hide.
- Don’t use jargon, uncommon acronyms or technical language. Avoid "insider’s" terms or concepts that the general public does not know. Try to simplify your explanations and use analogies to help explain difficult concepts.
- Don’t rush to respond. Listen carefully to the reporter’s questions. Pause a second or two after each question to organize your thoughts.
- Be aware of filler words such as "um," "well" and "you know" and avoid them as much as possible.
- Keep your answers short. The average broadcast sound bite is seven to 10 seconds. When you have covered your message point, stop talking! Don’t feel nervous if no one is talking. Wait for the reporter to ask you the next question.
- Speak in the first person, active voice: "I did this," rather than "This was done." Be polite, honest and friendly, but keep your tone professional.
- Remember your key points and move back to them at every opportunity. If a reporter asks a question you cannot or will not answer, say something like, "I can’t address that issue, but I can tell you …" or "That is interesting, but the issue here is …" If you don’t understand the question or if the question is vague, ask for clarification.
- If you are being interviewed in your official professional capacity, remember that you are representing Texas A&M University. Avoid saying anything that contradicts The Texas A&M University System policy or shows Texas A&M in a negative light.
- Remember to use Texas A&M and/or your college/department in as many answers as possible. For example, "At Texas A&M, we are firmly committed to preparing our students with the necessary skills to excel in the global economy.
- Maintain strong eye contact. This will hold a reporter’s attention and make you look confident. Never look at the camera or lower your head to speak into the microphone.
- Be careful about nodding your head, particularly in TV interviews. That implies that you agree with what a reporter is saying. Also, try not to make dramatic gestures or wave your arms while you speak. The camera angle is probably not wide enough to capture exaggerated movements.
- Suggest a call to action. For example, direct people to a website for more information.
- Plug your website early and often.
- Be enthusiastic and keep in mind that you know more about the subject than the reporter does. Take advantage of this opportunity to tell your story!
After the Interview
- Follow up promptly with any additional information you promised to provide.
- Feel free to ask the reporter when the story will appear.
- Thank the reporter for featuring your program or topic.