How you answer questions depends on many factors. Example what type of situation is it. Are you working with your colleague or talking with your boss. Are you doing an interview with the media or announcing a breakthrough with your business.
Most people have told me that they worry the most when it is the media, because embarrassing or damaging answers could end up on public display. However, the reality is the most reporters are not out to get people, they are just looking for the facts behind the story.
Sometimes it can be difficult to state your answers because each person has their own agenda of things that they would like to accomplished or have answered.
It is important in these situations to remain calm. When you are stressed out or upset, you literately shut off your thinking cells.
If you use the example of a manufacturing company looking at moving or upgrading their facility and media has heard they are shutting down, putting the employees out of work, we can look at different scenarios.
Many people find yes / no questions very annoying or upsetting because in either case it can be very misleading. For example, if they asked, are you closing down the plant? and you answered with a yes, that sounds permanent and possibly putting many people out of work. Where as it may be temporary to accomplish some upgrades or maybe you are relocating to a more efficient location.
If you are being asked yes or no questions that could be misleading, there are ways you can answer with an explanation without looking like you are making excuses.
A couple of examples would be;
Other times you may have the media interviewing you and they are not quite sure what questions to ask. Often, they appreciate it when you help them out. If you find the questions they are asking confusing or irrelevant you can lead them to the important issues.
Some of the ways to do this are;
Sometimes it is important to emphasize an issue. The person you are speaking with may not realize what the important issues are.
You can help them out by saying:
Remember, stay calm, think through your answer and prepare your self in advance. It is not about answering the quickest, it is about getting the facts right, which helps both you and the reporter with their story. This in turn helps build your credibility.
P.S. If you like what you're reading in this ezine,
you'll love the book,"Media Protocol"
If you have ever been terrified to have an interview with
the media or answer their questions, this is the ebook for you.
media protocol
All the Best!
Maria Boomhower
The Master Communicator
To sign up for a free report on
"The 7 Secrets to Communication Mastery"
go to: media protocol
media protocol
Although it seems less common these days, there are still... Read More
Corporations are willing to pay substantial amounts of money to... Read More
How cool is this? You're a business, non-profit or association... Read More
Everyone has an opinion on something, and you can leverage... Read More
Reporters, by nature, are curious people.If you can get them... Read More
School BusesWhen approaching a school bus: Slow down; If the... Read More
Even after a nice piece in a national publication, or... Read More
?makes the rules, of course.But when the gold takes the... Read More
We rely on all kinds of tools and advice to... Read More
One study found that as many as 90% of the... Read More
Use journalistic styleReporters are busy. Just like you.So when you... Read More
Powerful is a strong word. But it fits here. As... Read More
The power of public relations is its ability to alter... Read More
The call came into my office and the voice on... Read More
Since the major part of a small business typically comes... Read More
You have a story to tell. Your company has developed... Read More
Are you launching a new product or website? Announcing a... Read More
While scoring anice story in BusinessWeek or USA Today is... Read More
I mean public relations that presumes from the get-go that... Read More
There are a lot of things that make a business... Read More
The payoff for business, non-profit or association managers can be... Read More
"Cindy, where's that story? I need it yesterday!""Coming right up,... Read More
Would you advise clients to buy a stock based on... Read More
You are a spokesperson for your company, representing it for... Read More
Public relations is a very important part of the marketing... Read More
quick home cleaning Lake Forest ..If you're seeking to promote yourself or your new business... Read More
Press releases are a useful tool for announcing news and... Read More
Recently, I told a friend (who's a business owner) that... Read More
The media's role is to package and spread news, current... Read More
One of the most misunderstood and most underutilized promotional tools... Read More
In an ideal world, your business would be overflowing withnewsworthy... Read More
The name of the game is doing our part to... Read More
If you're trying to promote your store, but you don't... Read More
How can media training help you create a successful Hispanic... Read More
Years ago when my Dad owned a group of local... Read More
Small businesses have always known the importance of word of... Read More
Don't let yourself be diverted by communications tactics playtime. You... Read More
As you start getting more media-savvy, you'll find yourself coming... Read More
Your public relations effort really should involve more than press... Read More
Press releases are one of the most cost-effective ways to... Read More
Public relations is a very important part of the marketing... Read More
You are in business for yourself, but how well do... Read More
When is your best advertisement not an advertisement? When it's... Read More
Wherever the fundamental premise of public relations is practiced.Look at... Read More
Here's the point: people act on their own perception of... Read More
Business, non-profit and association managers get a ton of satisfaction... Read More
You've heard "them" say it, haven't you?By "them" I mean... Read More
You can SO measure return-on-investment for a public relations program!Try... Read More
Imagine you're in the breakfast cereal business. You make the... Read More
Leaders in the business world need public relations big time,... Read More
Public Relations |