Media Tips

Talk radio interviews | Writing a letter to the editor | Writing an op-ed | Writing a blog post

Talk radio interviews

1. Know the show. How long is it? Is it live? Do they take callers? Who is the host/producer/board operator?

2.Know the topic. Prepare twice as much as you think you should!

3.Prepare three important answers. Your first answer, a “dodge” answer for a question you’d rather not answer, and a sound byte or joke that you can go to if needed

4. Pretend you’re at happy hour. Act natural and upbeat (as long as you’re not on NPR)

5. Telegraph your emotions. Tell the audience how they should react to something by saying “this makes me so angry/happy/sad.”

6. Start with the punch line. Let the audience know right off the bat why you're telling a particular story.

7. Define EVERYTHING. Tell back stories, explain all terms you use; not everyone is an expert.

8. Call the host by name. Say the host’s name as much as possible

9. Use lists. People love lists. Use examples like Top 5 Reasons something is bad.

10. Personalize. Take on a personality when doing a show; if doing a particular show often, keep that personality every time you go on.

Tips for writing a letter to the editor

1. Understand your audience. You are targeting the newspaper’s editorial staff. Think about how the paper has been covering the story and frame you argument to capture their interest. Develop an angle that will be relevant to the paper’s audience.

2. Keep it short and sweet. Length requirements vary by paper but are generally 100-200 words. Your letter is more likely to be placed if it is short and does not need editing. Requirements for submission can be found on the editorial page of the paper’s online edition.

3. Lead with the most important information. If you are responding to an article or op-ed, say so. If not, lead with why your issue is timely and compelling. Think of the backwards pyramid and put your most important argument first. If your letter is cut it will be cut from the bottom.

4. Include your title. Including institutional affiliation generally increases the likelihood of placement. If you cannot include your company, “John Doe, Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities” is an option.

5. Include your phone number, email address and mailing address with your submission. Newspapers will call to confirm authorship of submitted letters.

Tips for writing an op-ed

The same guidance applies, though op-eds are longer, generally around 600 words. An op-ed has a better chance of being run if you personally reach out to the editorial staff of the paper.

Tips for successful TV appearances

1. Know the show, the host, other participants, the audience, and the likely angle of the story. Ask questions of the booker or producer ahead of time.

2. Develop the two or three key points you would like to make.

3. Be succinct, concise, and to the point.

4. Convey energy and confidence. Do not be afraid to smile and enjoy yourself. TV is entertainment and the viewer is more likely to enjoy the segment if you appear to enjoy it.

5. Be conversational - Make hard–to-grasp issues easy to understand, but don’t condescend. Act as if you are talking to a friend or neighbor.

6. Do not be combative or rude.

7. Do not look at the monitor - ask them to turn it off if it distracts you

8. Make sure your ear piece is comfortably placed and functional before going on air.

9. Do not wear stripes.

10. Do not wear all white, a white shirt is acceptable but jacket and tie should be color.

11. Try to avoid green since some backdrops are green color chromed.

12. Request make up whenever it is available and be sure to check your hair before you go on air.

13. For men - Sit on the bottom of your suit jacket so it does not appear to ride up at the neck.

Tips for writing a blog post

Whether or not you have your own blog, you can write a blog post. If you don’t have your own blog, you will need to find a blog that welcomes guest bloggers. Tapping into established bloggers in your personal network is a good place to start. You could consider the political blog of your favorite business journal, popular local blogs or the blog roll of your favorite on-line journal for other blog options.

Keep in mind the following tips when writing a guest blog post:

1. The post should be well written and address a hot news issue. Timing is everything.

2. A guest blog post is more likely to be accepted if the author has clear command of the subject matter.

3. A blog should be direct and to the point. It can be more conversational and less formal in tone than other types of editorial writing, but in the interest of the reader’s time, less is more.

4. A blog post should be written in your own voice and present a clear point of view. The more authentic and less stiff the better.

5. A good blog post links to other source material on the web. Use links to source material (news articles, other blog posts, research reports, etc.) for background to free up space to make other points. This will make a richer post.

6. Most newspapers will not print anything on the editorial page (op-ed or letter to the editor) unless it is original material. Likewise many blogs will not post pieces that have already been run elsewhere. Keep this in mind when placing a post or article.