Here's a look at the other side of media relations (to an athlete)...the reporter's tactics. It may seem that reporters come across as doing their business on random notes or all from spontaneity, but surprisingly enough, they have much of their act pre-rehearsed and planned. These techniques they use during interviews are standard and can be expected on a regular basis.
- Asks direct usually short questions.
- Avoids accusatory tone of voice or extremes in volume.
- "Mike Wallace tactic" - asks question followed by silence - holds direct eye contact.
- Starts with easy questions to warm you up; moves on to more difficult ones.
- Calculates in advance whether you'll be agressive, defensive, suspicious, unfocused, nervous and determines ways to capture or even counteract any hostility on your part.
- Puts themselves in your shoes, so they ask more telling questions - pushes for more expansive or focused answers.
- Explains why they need the information, reassuring you and putting you more at ease.
- Pleasant but persistent, knowledgeable and confident.
- Is more familiar with the story details, aware of background and not just working off a paragraph of wire copy. Did their homework first, diminishing your ability to go on offensive.
- If you're dancing around a question, they'll interject with "that's fine but what do you think about...," "let's get back to the question" etc.
- Repeated or rephrased question or follow ups to force more specificity/substance or accuracy in your answer.
- Not afraid to admit - this doesn't make sense to me - help me understand.
- Paraphrases you to verify what they understood you to say.
- Speaks slowly when asking question, usually elicits longer more insightful answers (sometimes you want to blur, not bring more focus to your content.)
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