Marketing

Are you being interviewed by a reporter? Do you want to promote an event at your cooperative to your community? NAHC provides these tips for working with the media – and guidelines for writing a media alert.

Tips for Working with the Media: Do’s & Don’ts

DO’s (9 things you should do in a media interview)

1. Ask the reporter what information s/he needs and the deadline.
2. Tell the reporter you’ll return a call in 15 minutes; use that time to be prepared.
3. Know you goal, audience and key, quotable points.
4. Respond to the reporter’s questions and use the interview as an opportunity to communicate your agenda.
5. Speak clearly, concisely and without jargon.
6. Educate the reporter.
7. Tell the truth. If you don’t know something, tell the reporter you don’t know and will find an answer (if you can find an answer).
8. Stay in control and remember your agenda.
9. Use the reporter’s last question to re-state your key points.

DON’Ts (7 things you shouldn’t do in a media interview)

1. Ask the reporter for a list of questions before the interview.
2. Say anything you don’t want published or speak “off the record.”
3. Panic! Remember, you’re prepared.
4. Assume the reporter understands your industry or issue.
5. Ramble. Keep your answers concise and quotable.
6. Repeat a negative or respond to a negative or hostile question defensively.
7. Promise to follow up with the reporter if you don’t plan to do so.

Calendar Listing/Media Alert
Is your cooperative planning a community event? Many media outlets will print or run calendar announcements for events. Visit the websites of your local media to find an online form to complete for a calendar listing. Be prepared to complete the form; most require the following information:

• Event name
• Date/time/location
• Contact person
• Fees (if any)
• Reason for event
• Audience (i.e., is the event for children? Families? Adults?)
• Accessibility
• Parking availability
• Public transportation nearby (bus routes, subway, train, etc.)
• Registration deadline