Prepare Your Message
While you may know your industry - and certainly yourself - your best chance for a successful interview lies in preparation.
Prepare and outline the specific points or objectives you wish to make. Draft concise, to-the-point statements or sound bites that highlight these points.
Prepare concise, effective opening and closing statements because they are often the most remembered statements you will make.
Remember to explain your points with examples -- using analogies, related stories and personal experiences to help the interviewer and audience understand your point of view.
Practice, practice, practice. Try delivering your sound bites (in under 20 seconds) with a colleague or friend -- even in front of a mirror! Your goal is to answer anticipated questions quickly, clearly and naturally.
Try to meet the reporter before the program and find out the direction of the segment. Hint: Speaking to each other on a first name basis is best!