MEDIA TRAINING: Work it, Don't Wing it

Anticipate What's Coming

The media interview begins and you've got no idea what to expect for the first question.  "What went wrong in the game  for you?," the reporter asks.

"Well, " you answer.... "We struggled with the offense down the stretch.  I don't exactly know what our game plan was and when there's indecision, there's usually not the best execution. I'd love to have the last 10 minutes over again."

How did that sound?  Like a key player who 'd thought about what questions he or she might get and how they might answer?

Not hardly.  And without a doubt, the biggest thing anyone with an interview on the day's schedule can do is ANTICIPATE.

Take control of the situation. What might be coming and how might I answer?  You need to have that in your "hip pocket" before you begin if you're an athlete dealing with media requests on the docket after competition. 

Steer the Interview in YOUR direction

As a bonus.... in the "back pocket," you'd also be wise to have some extra points you'd always like to get out in an interview that promote your team, your goals, your brand or your interests.  In other words... take it "your way."

In more than twenty-five years of television and radio, I've seen a lot of interview subjects simply show up without a plan and just "wing it."

Here's five things you can do to avoid that big mistake.

1.  Be prepared.  Not for the questions you think you'll get... but the one's you hope you'll get.  I'll explain in a minute.

2.  Have three points of note.  These items are relevant to your interview, but not likely asked by the interviewer.

3.  Find your opening.  Many times the interviewer will ask something that gives you the chance for a detour to something you'd like the article or television/radio interview to potentially have.

Have an interview game plan - steer your audience

4.  Don't just answer the question.  Acknowledge it, answer it, and then add on. You need to be crafty and creative.  "You're right and I agree with that.  And you know something else?......"  That's where you take the hand off and make your cut to the outside.

5.  Leave them wanting more.  The interviewer may have come with one idea and you have the chance to steer them into a more interesting angle that helps publicity for you, your team or your brand.  Imagine the interviewer leaving by telling you "hey, thanks so much for the time.  Who knew we'd all find out that you were a ...... guess that's where we'll pick up the next time."

You'll never know exactly what questions will fill up an interview.  But let's face it, you can anticipate a few of them.  And if you have enough information or interesting stories the reporter wasn't anticipating, chances are good you'll get some questions you really were hoping to get tossed your way.

Back to the athlete who answered the question about the end to the game.  How might things have been different if he'd given this answer.

"Good question.  We definitely didn't get the outcome we were looking for.  It sure wasn't for a lack of preparation on our end.  In fact, this team is so close and we bond so well, well definitely use this as a building block for next week.  I wish it was here already.  I've never been on a team like this.  The confidence we have is so strong and there's no way it shakes us."

Who knows, the next question might have nothing to do with a late collapse and focus on why the leadership is so strong.  

At the end of the day, it's all up to you.  The questions only set you up for the answer.  And the answer is all up to you.

Thought for the day: There is never a bad question.  Only a poorly thought of and executed response.  Take control of what you can control and deliver at least some of what helps you!


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