How to Interview With the Media
As a journalist, I’ve interviewed thousands of people, and they all have one thing in common. They’re all afraid to talk to the media. At least to start.
When I do an interview, I always try to make it fun. I start with the easy stuff, like what’s your full name and title/how you would like me to refer to you in the article. This gets them talking and over the initial fear. Then we chat, with me leading them through the interview with questions that would normally come up in any conversation where someone is interested in either you or what you do. Once we start rolling, my subjects usually settle down into conversational mode.
But then…sometimes I hit them with the hard questions at the end. I think those are the questions that they think should scare them. But they shouldn’t be scared. These are questions that make them think…like, “What is the philosophy you always wanted to share,” or “Tell me in one word how you would describe your business.” Often, I get my best insights into people by asking these types of questions.
If you are interviewed by a journalist, there are a few things to keep in mind. These will help you prepare for the interview and keep you from saying something you shouldn’t.
How To Interview With the Media
Rule #1. EVERYTHING you say is ON THE RECORD.
I can’t tell you how many times people have felt so comfortable with me that they say, “I’ll tell you this, but it’s off the record.” If I weren’t so kind, this is the type of thing that could really get you or your business in trouble. Remember that you are talking to the media; a person who is looking for a juicy story. There is no “off the record.” Continue reading →
Do You Have a Good Story? Share it With the Media.
As a journalist, I hear fabulous stories from people every single day. Whether they are my clients or people I meet in the grocery store, I realize that everybody has a story and I am all ears to hear it.
So many business people either miss or disregard the opportunity to share their unique story with the world. And hence, they miss the many public relations opportunities the media can provide.
Why You Should Get Your Story in the Media
It Gets People Talking
If a journalist finds your story interesting, and a publisher thinks it is interesting enough to write about, then thousands of other people will too. I published a feature story about “What really goes on during spring break,” and was standing behind two moms in the grocery line one day when I overheard them talking about what they learned from the story. “I’m not sure I’ll let my daughter go without a chaperone now,” I heard one say. Think of all the people you can impact from your own story!
It Establishes You as the Expert
Up Your Company’s Professionalism with an Online Media Kit
There is nothing more exciting–or better for your business–than media coverage. Landing a feature story in print, or being quoted as an expert source in an online article can exponentially boost your footprint in your market and set you apart from your competitors.
As a member of the media, I am always looking for good stories to write about. But most companies forget this side of marketing. Or they don’t know how to achieve it. Especially if they are a smaller company.
So far this year I’ve published more than 20 feature stories about local businesses and business people that appeared in newspapers and high-end glossy magazines. Not only did these people receive a beautiful story, they were able to use their media appearance in their marketing and social media programs to garner even more coverage and credibility. Some printed out copies of their articles and used it as a giveaway at appearances and trade shows. Others framed their article and mounted it prominently in their place of business. A few made podcasts or videos of their radio or TV appearance and posted it on their own media channels. Even more referred to their third-party coverage in sales presentations to help close the deal. Continue reading →
An Insider’s Tip to Getting Your Story into the News
She should be reading YOUR story.
I, like other writers, am always looking for good stories. When we writers find something we think is interesting, it is likely that others will find it interesting as well, so we pitch the story idea to magazines, newspapers, online media, etc. If the publication also believes their readership will benefit from the story, they will contract with us to write it.
But how does a story get from your company into the media? Continue reading →
Author Finds that Sometimes Publicity is Just Serendipity
I foolishly knocked my carriage clock off the mantle while cleaning one day recently and was heartbroken to see its shattered condition on the marble hearth. So I picked up the pieces and took the remains to a local clock shop.
The news wasn’t good. My clock was so badly broken that all that could be salvaged was the Seth Thomas brass face. A customer standing in line behind me, carrying his own broken mantle clock witnessed this transaction and commented on how beautiful my bright clock face was. He thought, in fact, it might fit into his own clock, which had a tired, faded face.
We held the face up and it seemed to be a perfect size match. He purchased it from me on the spot.
You Never Know Who’s Listening
While he was waiting for the clerk to research his problem, we struck up a conversation. It turns out he’s an author and has just published his second book: Titanic’s Resurrected Secret–HEW.
Having done a lot of reading about the Titanic and its survivors, I was interested–not only in the book, but in this fascinating man and his stories. Continue reading →
Working with the Media: How to Get a Story in Front of Editors | All the Buzz | PR Tips
Bring your story to the media
Working with clients, in many varied industries as we at All the Buzz do, it’s interesting how we come across the same questions over and over again. One I’ve heard most often is, “How do I work with the media? I have a story I think needs to be told.”
I must admit, even I had a fear of the media when I was an executive. Since I’ve been (and still am) a member of the media for over 30 years now, I want you to know that we’re just people. And anything you can do to make our jobs easier is always welcome.
Here’s how you can help us: Continue reading →
200th Anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner | Linda Barrett | Articles
Actual size of the original Star Spangled Banner as shown on the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House, http://www.flaghouse.org.
This week marks the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner…both the national anthem and the flag that appeared so proudly over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Here’s an article Linda Barrett published about it that appeared in the July/August issue of Viva Tysons Magazine (including her photographs).
As you can see, the flag was quite huge. Read the article to find out just how large the original flag was, and how the anthem came to be written.
There are also some fun facts about our American Flag that you probably didn’t know.
Read: Long May She Wave
Promoting tourism is just one of the things we do at All the Buzz. We’d be glad to help you get your company’s story in the news too.
Timing is Everything | All the Buzz | PR
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West tie the knot
Are you a celebrity watcher? Well, you should be.
A great way to land some PR about your business or service is to play off a major celebrity news story.
Here’s an example we recently helped create…
When Kim Kardashian and Kanye West married in March, we discovered that they were honeymooning at Castlemartr resort in Ireland. Our PR alliance approached our client, a sister castle property in Ireland, who jumped at the opportunity to have us create and distribute a press release on how anyone can honeymoon like the stars…at THEIR property–Dromoland Castle.
The key to success is timing
Dromoland Castle Press Release | All the Buzz PR
Shannigan’s Gastro Pub, The Inn at Dromoland, Ireland
All the Buzz was called upon to assist in creating buzz around a new restaurant opening–in Ireland. Located at the newly-renovated The Inn at Dromoland, Shannigan’s offers the unique and warm atmosphere of a Gastro Pub at the resort property of Dromoland Castle. Learn more in this press release.
Dromoland Castle took over what was formerly the Clare Inn adjacent to its property, renamed it The Inn at Dromoland, and has been performing renovations to the Inn ever since. The opening of Shannigan’s is the latest in its upgrade of the property to it famous standards.
I was fortunate enough to stay at Dromoland Castle just a couple of years ago and encourage anyone interested in experiencing the elegance and hospitality of staying in an Irish castle to visit.
Potomac Swim School Readies to Set New Guinness World Record | PR | All the Buzz
For the first time, Potomac Swim School will be participating in the attempt to break the Guinness World Record(tm) for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson(tm), and didn’t know how to let the world (at least their local world) know about both the event and it’s purpose: to raise awareness for the Importance of Swim Safety. The event is scheduled for June 18, 2013.
In conversations with Potomac Swim School owner, Donna Boone, it was determined that the best plan of attack was Continue reading →
All the Buzz 