12 Media Myths That
Can Sink Your PR Plan
Don't let these 12 media myths kill
your public relations plan. Here's what you need to know to get
media-savvy -- fast.
By Gwen Moran
Editor's note: You can't effectively
spread the word about your business without a stellar PR program. For
tips on writing press releases, speaking to the press, getting publicity
and more, visit Entrepreneur.com's PR section.
Dan Hoffman had some bad interviews
years ago, back when he was heading up operations at an ISP based in
Hong Kong. He would read articles in which he was quoted and sometimes
find that the published version of the interview had very different
information than what he thought he'd discussed with the reporter.
So when Hoffman, now president and CEO
of M5 Networks Inc., a $10 million, New York City-based provider of
outsourced telephone systems, got a call to appear on Bloomberg
Television, he decided he'd better get some help. Hoffman, 36, called
his PR agency, Euro RSCG Magnet, to schedule some media training.
"A lot of people think that doing
interviews effectively is a piece of cake," says former broadcast
reporter Barbara Laskin, president of Laskin Media Inc., a New York City
media training firm. "That's why I got into this business. I was a
reporter and cared about getting the story right, but with today's fast
deadlines, you can't always assume that the reporter is going to figure
out what you meant to say if you're not clear about it from the
start."
Being unprepared is just one of a host
of mistakes entrepreneurs make when dealing with the media. Whether the
result of popular misconceptions, bad media training or simply having no
idea what it takes to be a good source, here are a dozen of the most
common myths about being media-savvy.
Myth #1: It's important to put a
positive spin on everything. Not every situation is positive, says David
Margulies, who heads up Margulies Communications Group, a strategic PR
and crisis communications firm in Dallas. In order to be truthful, you
can't always put a bullish slant on the circumstances.
"The example I use in my speeches
is the airline executive who says, 'Sure, the plane crashed, but it was
right on time when it hit the mountain,' " he explains. "You
need to deliver the information the audience needs to know." He
advises being honest and sharing the information that is necessary and
targeted toward your audience. "Stating the factors that
contributed to the crash and giving a careful explanation of what will
be done to prevent it from happening in the future would be a better
response."
Myth #2: If you don't want to answer a
reporter's question, change the subject. A popular media training
technique is called "the bridge," and it works like this: If a
reporter asks you a question you don't want to answer, you say something
like, "That's a great question, but I think the more important
point is . . ." That kind of question dodging, says Laskin, is one
of the quickest ways to earn a reporter's ire.
"It's not a bridge to
nowhere," says Laskin. "Even though the bridge can be an
effective technique to insert your key messages, you still need to
answer the reporter's question. If a reporter asks about your bad sales
last quarter, you can answer the question and still include the
information that's important to your company by saying something like,
'Sales were disappointing; however, our new line, which we're working
hard on, is going to give us returns,' and explain how."
Why You Should Reject Some Interviews
Myth #3: You should participate in
every interview that's requested of you. No way, says Margulies. Before
you get on the phone or in front of the mic and start talking, you need
to know the context of the story. "Find out what, specifically, the
story is about," he says. "There are some stories you don't
want to be involved in, and some stories where there might be legal
implications."
Margulies recommends getting some
background on the topic of the story and deciding if there's a good
business reason for doing it. For instance, it might be a good idea to
participate in a profile of your company in an industry trade
publication. However, if a reporter is doing a general story that isn't
really relevant to your business or your key audience, and which could
position your business in a negative way, you may want to pass on
participating in the story.
Myth #4: Reciting how many other media
interviews you've done impresses journalists, producers and editors.
"One word: overexposed," says Karen Friedman, head of Karen
Friedman Enterprises Inc., a media training firm in Blue Bell,
Pennsylvania. Friedman says that most reporters are looking for fresh
voices and ideas. "In many cases, if you rattle off that you've
been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and on all
the major networks recently, the reporter might think that you have
nothing new to say on the topic or that your story's been 'done.'"
Instead, advises Friedman, say that
you're an experienced interviewee to let the journalist know you're
familiar with the interview process. That will likely make him or her
more comfortable with you as a source. If you're asked for particular
outlets in which you've been featured, then provide them.
Myth #5: A good news release is the
best way to get media attention for your company. Suggest sending out a
one-size-fits-all news release to Victoria D'Angelo, owner of D'Angelo
Home Collections Inc., a $4.5 million home accessories designer, product
developer and distributor in Orangeburg, New York, and she'll give you a
passionate lesson in Marketing 101. "You can't send out one news
release to the media any more than you can send out one set of options
to customers and expect them to purchase your products," explains
D'Angelo, 49. "A number of books give you the idea that you can
print a magic flier and the world will respond. The generic approach is
a waste of time."
D'Angelo has found more success with
creating customized pitch letters for magazines and talking points for
interviews. The secret, she says, is finding out which topics are of
interest to the media and putting that information in the easiest format
for the journalist to use. Says D'Angelo, "If you're not willing to
do the homework, you can't expect great results."
Myth #6: Mention your company, product
or book as often as possible. "This is one of the examples of media
training gone haywire," says Friedman. "It's annoying when the
expert mentions the name of the book in almost every sentence, and I'm
convinced that it usually backfires." She advises mentioning the
book when it's appropriate, trying for two or three mentions in a
broadcast or one credit in a print piece.
Myth #7: Whenever you don't want
something printed or broadcast, just say it's "off the
record." Saying something is "off the record"--usually
used when a source gives background information to put something in
context and doesn't want it to be attributed--is risky because a
journalist doesn't have to abide by it, says Laskin. "The truth is
that reporters dig. That's what they should always do. If you're naive
enough to give them sensitive information that shouldn't be shared
publicly, you can't be sure they won't use it. If you say it, it's fair
game."
It's OK to Say "I Don't Know"
Myth #8: Answer every question so that
you look like the expert. It's OK to say that you don't know something,
says Friedman. "It's far better to say, 'That's a good question.
Let me check on it and get back to you,' or 'I don't have that
information right now, but I'd be happy to follow up and get it to you'
than it is to bluff or lie. If a reporter senses that you're not telling
the truth, he or she will just dig deeper to find out. And if they find
out you're lying, your credibility is shot."
Myth #9: If you advertise in a medium,
they'll give you better coverage. When D'Angelo founded her company, she
pored over many books to learn about marketing her products. She knew
the difference between PR and advertising, and emphasizes that it's
critical not to confuse the two. "You'll quickly alienate
journalists if you suggest they're influenced by advertising," she
advises.
Friedman says that mistaking the
objective of the editorial department, which is to inform readers, with
that of advertising, which is to promote products and services, is a
common mistake that business owners make. "Many editors will run in
the other direction if you try to use that argument," she says.
"Ethical media don't let advertisers influence editorial content.
And it will backfire if you try to do so."
Myth #10: The bigger the words, the
smarter you sound. Jargon and overblown language can get you jettisoned
as a source, says Friedman. "Some people think that using
conversational language is 'dumbing it down' and that they won't be
perceived as smart, articulate executives."
Actually, the opposite is true, she
says. Using obscure industry terminology or overly complex language
increases the chance that the journalist will misunderstand the
information and report it wrong. Simple language is almost always best.
Myth #11: Never show emotion.
Similarly, says Friedman, it's important to appear sincere and
believable, whether the news is good or bad. "Sometimes, especially
in difficult situations, interviewees forget to be human beings,"
she says. "They forget to empathize. They forget to show concern.
Or they're afraid that if they show emotion, they might be perceived as
weak."
While she doesn't advocate falling to
pieces in front of the camera, Friedman says that showing an appropriate
level of emotion can make your message much more believable. If you're
enthusiastic, show it. If you're relaying sad news, it's OK to show
that, too, she says.
Myth #12: Media training is what you
need most to be successful in media relations. "Probably the most
common misconception I encounter is that media training is a stand-alone
component," says Margulies. "The best way to deal with the
media is to have a process. The interview isn't the whole event. It's
the preparation you do before the interview that can make the biggest
difference."
Friedman agrees. "You need to have
a solid plan in place for dealing with the media, developing
relationships and getting comfortable with the process. That's how you
put a successful media-relations program in place."
5 Rules to Live By
While there's plenty of useless conventional wisdom about dealing with
the media, there are also some rules you should never break:
1. Respond promptly. "Remember
that these people are usually on tight deadlines," says Barbara
Laskin, president of Laskin Media Inc., a New York City media training
firm. Even if you're unable to do the interview, say so in a timely
manner.
2. Never say "no comment." If
you cannot answer a question, provide a reasonable explanation instead,
says David Margulies, founder of Margulies Communications Group, a
strategic PR and crisis communications firm in Dallas.
3. Never lie or speculate. "Aside
from the fact that lying is wrong and unethical, it will come back to
haunt you," says Karen Friedman, founder of Karen Friedman
Enterprises Inc., a media training firm in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. It's
always better to tell the truth and explain why you did what you did,
even if your explanation is shaky.
4. Know the medium's audience. Every
media outlet is different, says Margulies. "Every audience wants
you to address WIIFM-what's in it for me."
5. Stick to what you know. Do not try
to be an expert or comment on an issue about which you are not fully
informed, says Margulies.
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Gwen Moran is Entrepreneur's "Retail Register" and "Quick
Pick" columnist.
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