26
Nov
Nov
5 Things to NEVER Say to a Reporter
Alan Stevens, Director of MediaCoach.co.uk and a guest on today’s PR 101 Radio: Marketing Advice for Small Business, offers business owners and entrepreneurs insight on 5 
things that you should NEVER say to the media when you’re trying to get a journalist to cover your story. No matter how long you’ve been in business, these rules absolutley apply!
- “No Comment” - If you have no comment, why contact the press in the first place?! It makes you come across as suspicious and untrustworthy.
- “This is off the record, right?” - When you’re talking to the media, there is no such thing as ‘off the record.’ Reporters can’t erase things from their memory, so once it’s said, it’s said…and expect to see it in print.
- “I’m not sure you’ll understand this, so I’ll speak slowly.” - Journalists are smart people. Talking down to them is only going to result in YOU looking like the idiot.
- “Would you like to see all the media coverage I’ve received?” - NO! The press doesn’t want to know your story has already been covered by other media outlets; they want a scoop! Offering to share your clips comes across like bragging and could very well ace you OUT of a story.
- “I’m sorry, I can’t meet your deadline. Can you call me back next week?” - NO! A deadline is a deadline and it’s NOW OR NEVER. Be prepared with information BEFORE you contact the media, so you’ll have it at the ready when they need it – not when it’s convenient for you.
Alan’s latest book is called The Pocket Media Coach, available on Amazon.com.
