A while back I talked about the traps of media interviews. Even with the best vetted credential, it is possible that your clients will be ambushed by a reporter during a live or taped interview. So, how do you help your clients regain control of an interview when this happens?
Start by having a strong message to restate-especially if the client is in trouble. If Charlie Sheen was your client, don't have him defend his drug use- this would come off wrong during teasers. Instead, have him strongly discuss how getting help has been a lifelong battle because he has a lifelong disease. It is OK to turn the tables on a journalist who has already flipped a table.
You also want to make sure your client doesn't seem too rehearsed with his or her answers. This doesn't sit well on television and makes for great late night television video clips. Work with your client on improving conversation skills and make sure you call all interviews "media conversations" to reinforce this training.
You can regain control when an interview goes bad, but just make sure your client knows how to do also do this!
This said, I will not be posting on this blog until January 5th of 2015. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, where I will be posting updates, until this date.
Velma Trayham of ThinkZILLA
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