You can view the first part of this article here: Top Five Myths Lawyers Have About Reporters – Part 1 of 2
3. Reporters Will Use What You Say Against You
This sort of goes with the last myth, “Be Cautious of Everything You Say During an Interview.” It’s in a reporter’s best interest to make you look like a top-notch legal expert to boost the quality of the article. Readers seek reliable and trustworthy sources within articles, so play along with the game and give the reporter a shot. If you assume anything you say will be twisted around by a reporter, you will have a very tough time getting press exposure. It’s important that you clearly communicate your points and use easy-to-understand terms so reporters cannot mistake what you say. If something you said gets misunderstood, call or email the reporter as soon as possible to correct the error. Don’t point the finger (no matter whose fault it was), and maintain a courteous demeanor when you request the correction.
4. If You Land an Interview, You Will be in the Story
This can be a tough one to swallow. You prepared, said all the right information, and even had a few nice sound bites for quotes. Then, your name never ever appears in the article. Unfortunately, publications have restrictions on space and editors have the final say on what makes it into the story. This ultimately leads to cuts in articles before they are printed. If this happens to you, don’t think of it as a wasted opportunity. That in-depth conversation you had with a reporter just built your relationship with him or her significantly. If the exchange went well, chances are he or she will try to get a comment from you next time around.
5. Your Smarts are Enough to Get by in an Interview
Like in most aspects of life, it’s not always about what you know. It’s the way in which you share the message. Finding the perfect balance of knowledge and effective delivery is key. Know your message, know your audience, and explain the information in the best method you know. When you successfully reach reporters with your message, they will feel your enthusiasm and interest, which will ignite passion within them when they write about you. And that makes for a great article to keep in your portfolio.
