This presentation gives the basic how to's for talking to the media.

1. Fear Not! There are techniques for dealing with the media that make the whole process much less painful. Sometimes you even enjoy the dance. Dancing With Porcupines

2. Philosophy to Live By Five minutes before the party is not the time to learn how to dance. ~Snoopy

4. To prepare you to effectively communicate with the media in a way which will your organization.

6. You should be there, in person, ready for anything.

8. Who is involved? What is going on? Where did it happen? How did it happen? Why did it happen? Who is impacted?

9. Containment

10. How do we contain this from a communication perspective?

11. Communication

13. How do we move on?

14. Recovery

16. There is no substitute for the FULL TRUTH.

17. Your personal opinions are NULL and Inappropriate.

18. Don’t speculate.

19. There is no such thing as “Off the Record.”

21. Believed

23. Make sure you get the reporter’s name, affiliation, the reason for the call, and a number where he or she can be reached.

24. If the reporter is working on a deadline, make sure to note that.

26. Be available and put staff on alert to provide any information relating to the story.

27. Make sure secretaries and assistants are trained on this process.

29. Hypothetical Questions

30. Blind Source

31. Third Party Inquiries

32. Don’t go “Off the Record.”

33. Don’t say “No comment.”

34. Filling Silence

36. After each answer, add one of your key points.

37. Example.

39. Say, “I don’t know.”

40. Say, “That is under investigation.

41. Tell the truth.

42. Keep your composure.

43. Be prepared.

45. Say, “No Comment.”

46. Get Mad.

47. Pick fights with the media.

48. Feel pressured to bluff.

49. Go “Off the Record.”

51. Determine when the interview starts.

52. Get your agenda across using bridging techniques.

53. Determine when the interview ends.