Tips for Working with Media

Tips for Working with Media

media-tipsA great way for University of Alabama faculty and staff to showcase their expertise and research, while bringing positive attention to their college, school or department, is by doing interviews with the media. Here are a few tips from UA’s Media Relations Office in the Division of Strategic Communications that may help you the next time a reporter calls or if our office calls you:

  • Let us know about your interview so we can watch for it and/or help you prepare if needed.
  • Be willing to do interviews – even on camera. Understand that most reporters are trying to understand a concept or to share useful information.
  • Try to work it in! Most reporters need only about 10 to 15 minutes of your time, and they’ll usually come to you or do the interview by phone.
  • Return the reporter’s call or email as quickly as possible, even if you need to let them know it’s not a good time for you. Ask to schedule the interview at a time convenient for both of you.
  • While it’s OK to ask a reporter for the focus of the interview, don’t expect that they will always provide a list of questions beforehand.
  • Before the interview, think about the most important information you want others to know about the topic. Use that to develop two or three key talking points.
  • Make your most important points first. Studies show that sentences stated near the beginning of interviews are more likely to make it into print or on TV.
  • Talk in short sentences, when possible, and avoid academic or scientific jargon. The interview should flow more like a conversation than a lecture.
  • When doing an interview for a print publication, speak a bit slower than normal conversation to allow the reporter to keep up with their note-taking.
  • When a television reporter calls, understand that they are usually on a much tighter deadline. Most television reporters need to have their interviews completed by mid-afternoon.

And if you have any questions or concerns about doing an interview, please contact anyone in the Media Relations office for advice. You can find a listing of our staff here.