How could the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a master at playing the media like a fiddle, not know the mic was on last week when he made that repulsive comment about castrating Barack Obama? One of the very first things you learn in Media Training 101 is that if you’re mic’d, always assume it’s on and never… Read More
How to Interview
What Tim Russert taught us about how to interview
After almost five days of non-stop tributes to Tim Russert, none was as fascinating as the five-year-old article I found last night titled “How to Beat Tim Russert.” Jack Shafer, who writes the press column for the online magazine Slate, dissected in step-by-step detail the strategy that any guest can use to disarm Russert, the toughest… Read More
TV interview tip: Don’t use the anchor’s name
The next time you do a TV interview, follow this tip from TV producer Shawne Duperon’s newsletter. Only use the anchor’s or reporter’s name when you’re saying hello. Never repeat it when you’re answering a question. “Your goal, as an interviewee, is to have the audience feel like you’re talking to them. Repeating the anchor’s name can make… Read More
Top 10 ways authors can make radio interviews pay
Joe Sabah, author of the book “How to Get the Job You Really Want—and Get Employers to Call You” brags that he’s sold $357,000 worth of books by doing 682 radio interviews “and 680 of them by phone.” He’s one of the masters of radio interviewing and he shares these 10 tips on how to make… Read More
Embarrassing a reporter during an interview can backfire
When you’re doing a media interview and the reporter asks you a question you’d rather not answer, never say “no comment.” The only thing that’s worse than that response is trying to embarrass the reporter by asking an unrelated question so preposterous that it’s designed to throw him off guard. People who do that usually end up… Read More
Dirty hotel glasses: Fodder for more TV I-team stories
More Publicity Hounds have responded to the items you’ve read here and here, about the Atlanta TV station’s I-team report on dirty hotel glasses, than any other item in recently memory. An observation: I half-expected the PR departments at Embassy Suites, Sheraton Suites and the Holiday Inn in Atlanta to email me and explain improvements they’ve made… Read More
Wall Street Journal pitching tip: Show your warts
An article in the October 2007 issue of PR Tactics includes a great tip for pitching the Wall Street Journal and any other business publication. It’s courtesy of Gene Coulter, editorial director at Peppercom in New York and former news editor of the Money Investing section of the Journal. “You need to learn how to think like a… Read More
National Publicity Summit success story
Have you ever had these kinds of nightmares? —You’re taking a final exam for a college course, and it suddenly dawns on you that you’ve never attended one class. —You’re going about your business, usually at work or in a public place, and realize you aren’t wearing any clothes. —All your teeth have fallen out. Dream… Read More
Media interviews frightening? This card deck will help
At times, I dislike doing media interviews, particularly with reporters at top-tier publications whose interview style makes me feel rushed, or I suspect the journalist is either dense or biased. Crisis counselor Lou Hampton of the Hampton Group in Washington, D. C. says we don’t have to be afraid. He offers these six handy phrases to use during interviews: “Let… Read More
Paris Hilton can teach you about interviews
Paris Hilton can teach you a thing or two about how to interview on a national TV talk show. During her exclusive interview with Larry King last week, Hilton mentioned that when she was behind bars, she read the Bible. When King asked, “What’s your favorite Bible passage?” She hesitated a long time, then said,… Read More