Maximising broadcast opportunities

Using broadcast media (TV and radio) is an extremely effective way of getting your message across to a wide audience. If a radio or TV station has expressed an interest in covering an event you may be asked to provide a spokesperson for interview but careful preparation is essential to ensure that the ‘right’ message/story is conveyed. Bear in mind that TV journalists will want the event to be visually exciting, so have some ideas up your sleeve. The trick is to do your research and prepare thoroughly:

• Choose a spokesperson you know can deliver the message
• Make sure the spokesperson knows why they are being interviewed
• Prepare questions and answers
• Run through practice questions
• Identify two key messages
• State your messages early
• Be brief and succinct – time is short
• Avoid jargon and techno-speak
• Do not read from a prepared script
• Prepare a lively and interesting example to illustrate your point
• Be convincing but don’t argue with the interviewer
• Do not be bulldozed into saying something you don’t want to say
• Be enthusiastic and smile (if on television!)