The Dreaded Interview Question

Issue #1149 Aug. 12, 2017
Publisher: Joan Stewart

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”

In This Issue

The Dreaded Interview Question
A Domain Name Can Hijack Your Business
How to Answer a HARO Query
Hound Video of the Week

This Weekend in the Hound House:

When I can beets today, I’ll still be singing “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daught-ah” by Herman’s Hermits. For 90 minutes at the Wisconsin State Fair on Tuesday, a few thousand Baby Boomers were teen-agers again–singing, laughing and reliving the good old days of the British Invasion, record players and transistor radios. One of the best shows EVER.

1. The Dreaded Interview Question

It’s an embarrassing question about your “control freak” management style. Or a tough question about your personal opinion on abortion. Or a nasty question about why you were fired from your last job.

It might be a killer question about that awful business decision you made 15 years ago. Or an unfair question about your drunken-driving conviction. Or an out-of-bounds question about your three divorces.

Depending on the story, and whether you are a public figure, all of those questions might be pertinent. But not necessarily. Here’s how to prepare.

Write down the toughest questions you could ever be asked. Then craft a short, intelligent answer for each one and practice it until you can give the answer smoothly and confidently. If the information the reporter wants is no one’s business, or is irrelevant to the story, there’s nothing wrong with saying, “That question has nothing to do with the story, and I’d rather not answer it.”

Another response that will help you is, “Why are you asking that question?” If you don’t like what you hear, you can always say, “I’d rather not answer it.” Do not say “no comment” which makes you sound guilty.

To do: “Special Report #1: Damage Control–How to Keep the Media from Making a Mess of Your Story” is one of 52 special reports that will make you media ready and show you how to share your story with the world, without a $20,000 publicist. This weekend only, until midnight Sunday night, you get any report for half off. That’s 2 for the price of 1. Use coupon code HALFOFF at checkout when you order here.

#HowtoInterview #MediaTraining

2. A Domain Name Can Hijack Your Business

Do you own your own domain name, also known as your website address? Are you sure?

This week, one of my clients discovered he doesn’t. His previous web developer does. If the old web guy gets hit by a truck and isn’t here anymore, or if he had simply refused to relinquish it, the client would have to jump through a series of complicated hoops and mountains of paperwork, hoping to get that domain name transferred to his own name.

Luckily, the previous web guy has turned over all information to Jason Saeler, the new web guy who is working with my client and also has worked 20 years with me.

Jason offers these tips:

If you need a domain name, buy it yourself with your own credit card and your own email address. Be sure you are the Owner/Registrant. You can designate anyone else as Administrator, Billing or Technical.
If you have an idea for a domain name, keep your mouth shut. Anyone you tell can grab it, and then try to sell it to the highest bidder which might not be you.
Don’t make your registration private because Google may frown on that, and it’s a waste of money.

To do: Go to https://whois.icann.org/en and type your domain name into the window to see who owns it, even if you think you are absolutely sure you do.

#WhoIs #DomainName

3. How to Answer a HARO Query

One of the most frequent questions people ask me is, “How do I reply to a HARO query?”

They are referring to the “request for sources” from all types of media outlets after you register for free at HelpaReporter.com.

The short answer: Quickly and briefly.

Many media outlets receive enough responses and have enough sources within the first hour after queries are emailed at 5:35 a.m., 12:35 p.m. and 5:35 p.m. Eastern.

Your email response should be no longer than about five sentences, and give just enough information to let them know you are a perfect source. If you aren’t perfect, don’t respond.

To do: Cision, which owns HARO, has a “best practices” list of tips you can get if you give them your name and email address.

#HARO #PRrequest

4. Hound Video of the Week

This dogs listens to every command from his owner before getting the ball on the count of three. I wish I had a fraction of his patience.

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