How to Ruin Your Media Interview: 5 Common Mistakes

Jan 2
07:11

2024

June Campbell

June Campbell

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In the world of business, media interviews can be a golden opportunity to showcase your expertise and promote your company. However, some individuals seem determined to sabotage their own interviews, perhaps out of a dislike for free publicity or a desire to avoid being seen as an industry expert. If you're one of these people, here are five surefire ways to ruin your media interview.

1. Decline the Interview,How to Ruin Your Media Interview: 5 Common Mistakes Articles Then Complain

One effective way to botch your interview is to refuse to participate or ignore the journalist's attempts to contact you. After the article is published, make sure to express your dissatisfaction to the editor, the publisher, and anyone else who will listen. Accuse the journalist of misrepresenting the facts or failing to adequately promote your business and products. Demand an apology and criticize the state of journalism today.

2. Direct the Journalist to Your Website

Another method is to tell the journalist that all the information they need can be found on your website, then promptly end the conversation. Don't be surprised if the resulting article only briefly mentions your company and instead features insightful quotes from your competitors. Remember, editors are looking for original content, not information copied from websites.

3. Insist on Editing the Article

Express your indignation when the journalist refuses to let you edit the article. Ignore the fact that most editors consider it unethical for interview subjects to rewrite articles. If you do manage to convince the journalist to let you see the article, make sure to add plenty of promotional content about your business and its products. When the article isn't published, blame the journalist and the editor for wasting your time.

4. Keep Your Responses Brief

Don't waste words during your interview. Respond with one-word answers and avoid providing any interesting or anecdotal information. Use technical terms and industry jargon whenever possible. Later, complain that the article was dull and didn't accurately represent your business.

5. Demand Copyright to the Article

Agree to the interview only if the publisher and journalist agree to give you copyright to the article. Argue with the publisher and refuse to sign any releases. If you do agree to sign something, cross out any terms you disagree with and replace them with your own. Threaten legal action if necessary. When the article is eventually abandoned, tell everyone that you stood up for your rights against a greedy publisher and journalist.

In conclusion, if your goal is to ruin your media interview, these methods are almost guaranteed to work. However, if you'd rather take advantage of the opportunity to promote your business and establish yourself as an industry expert, you might want to avoid these tactics.

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