Media Training! Tips on working with press and media to help your business

Three Random Things I Learned in Saas, Sports, Tech & Live Events Press week. If you're going to lead a growing company, you're likely going to work with the media. Here are a few tips on how to work with the media to help your business. 1) Be as helpful to them as possible. Even if you're not quoted or don't get what you want, become someone they know can help them. Make introductions. Even (gasp) give up your coverage to someone better suited to opine. Play the long game. 2) Ask for questions in advance. Type out your quotes. Read them during the conversation and send them when done. 3) You're getting a one line quote. Maybe two if you're lucky. Even though you may talk for 20 minutes. Remember, it's their story, not yours. Newbies are always shocked when they do a 15 minute interview in front of the camera and 30 seconds gets used. 4) Do. Not. Babble. From the 48 Laws of Power: when uncomfortable, people say what they shouldn't. Stick to the notes. 5) Never ever bend the truth, lie or leave anything out. Journalists work hard to earn their customers trust. If you cost them that, you're blackballed (and rightfully so). 6) Don't schill the company line. Many do. It's makes for a boring story and you're, again, off the list. 7) Don’t rush. Sometimes they're on a deadline and you can't confirm what you need to in time. I know, it's free exposure! Unfortunately, sometimes the timing just doesn't work out 8) Respect the relationship. If someone calls asking about a story and you're a source for them then you get another call from another journalist on the same story, disclose you've already been a source. 9) In a new relationship, don't say anything you wouldn't feel comfortable being public, no matter how much reassurance you get. Save those for the journalists you build a relationship with and trust.