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How to be a Good Interview Source

Share the goods.

A line of microphones stand on a hardwood desk under the words "how to be a good interview source"

Before you start fidgeting and anxiously bouncing your leg at the thought of a media interview, just breathe — or gulp down a glass of something strong. We’re here to help you with a few tips for nailing your next interview with the press, so you can take a much-needed chill pill. 

Be Prepared

To put it simply, know what you’re talking about. It’s always a good idea to review your notes or talking points on the subject of the interview. There’s nothing worse than feeling unprepared for any convo, particularly when speaking about something that will get distributed to a large number of people. You want to be the expert and have the interviewer trust what you’re saying. 

Keep it Short & Sweet

You don’t have to talk for a long time to make it a great interview. Fewer and more pointed words are the way to go, especially for your big call to action. Answer in simple terms, stick to your points, and don’t use jargon. Um. By the way — Try not to say too many ums.

Talk in sound bites, 10 or 15 seconds at the most.

“You Can Quote That”

Reporters love a good hook, opening line, or voice snippet — so give them what they want! A strong quote can transform any interview into a great one, so make sure you’re speaking with emotion and credibility. You’ll look like the smarty pants you are.

Where & How

Is this a virtual interview? Is it for print? Radio? Is it airing live?

All of these questions are important to know before you go into the interview. Knowing the format of your interview and what’s expected of you will only help you better prepare yourself. Don’t be taken off-guard. Know what to expect. 

Always, always get there early. At least 10 minutes and bring something for the reporter. If you’re talking about a product, bring a sample for them. If it’s food, bring in the treat. 

Be Yourself

Yes, you’re the expert, but the expert can still be friendly and confident. Smile, be warm, make jokes, wear an outfit that represents your personality. 

Don’t be boring. No one likes boring. 

Be on Time

Please. For every PR pro’s sanity AND your own. Add that sh*t to your Google calendar (and invite all applicable people). On time is early. Always be early.

Need more tips or a kick-ass PR team, get ahold of us.

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Introducing our third speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday.

Meet @bitnermd, co-founder of @true.womenshealth, a concierge practice in West Michigan, focused on helping women thrive through midlife while reducing chronic conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes.

Dr. Bitner is a board-certified OB/GYN specializing in midlife, menopause, and sexual health. She’s the author of I Want to Age Like That! and has published peer-reviewed research on menopause care. She was named Menopause Practitioner of the Year by The Menopause Society in 2015. Dr. Bitner is committed to translating evidence into practical, scalable solutions that improve women’s health, confidence, and participation at work and in life. We’re beyond excited to have her join our panel discussion this Thursday.

Register now to hear from Dr. Bitner and the rest of our industry experts at The Pause on September 24th.

Secure your spot at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18013559684753405
Introducing our third speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday. Meet @bitnermd, co-founder of @true.womenshealth, a concierge practice in West Michigan, focused on helping women thrive through midlife while reducing chronic conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes. Dr. Bitner is a board-certified OB/GYN specializing in midlife, menopause, and sexual health. She’s the author of I Want to Age Like That! and has published peer-reviewed research on menopause care. She was named Menopause Practitioner of the Year by The Menopause Society in 2015. Dr. Bitner is committed to translating evidence into practical, scalable solutions that improve women’s health, confidence, and participation at work and in life. We’re beyond excited to have her join our panel discussion this Thursday. Register now to hear from Dr. Bitner and the rest of our industry experts at The Pause on September 24th. Secure your spot at the link in bio.

Every WOSB deserves support, access, guidance, and a network, because when they have it, they’re unstoppable.

Just because you be small, does not mean you are not mighty. The Women’s Owners Network will accept its first cohort this November. Applications are due October 1.

Thank you to @lakemichigan_cu for partnering with us to provide this program. Their support means we can offer this at a significantly lower cost to business owners.

Go apply at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18247359124310352
Every WOSB deserves support, access, guidance, and a network, because when they have it, they’re unstoppable. Just because you be small, does not mean you are not mighty. The Women’s Owners Network will accept its first cohort this November. Applications are due October 1. Thank you to @lakemichigan_cu for partnering with us to provide this program. Their support means we can offer this at a significantly lower cost to business owners. Go apply at the link in bio.

Introducing our second speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday.

Meet Cheryl Bergman, Executive Director of the @miwomenscomm.

Cheryl is a statewide policy leader driving economic opportunity and better health outcomes for women across Michigan. Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2019, she brings together employers, healthcare experts, advocates, and policymakers to tackle the issues that actually move the needle - economic security, affordable childcare, and midlife women`s health.

Before this role, Cheryl helped elect Michigan`s first woman U.S. Senator and first woman Governor, and served as Senior Advisor on Governor Whitmer`s 2018 campaign.

She`s exactly the voice this conversation needs.

Join Cheryl and our powerhouse lineup of industry experts at The Pause on September 24th.

Link in bio to register - spaces are going fast.

4 0
Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17876488173630026
Introducing our second speaker for Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause, happening this Thursday. Meet Cheryl Bergman, Executive Director of the @miwomenscomm. Cheryl is a statewide policy leader driving economic opportunity and better health outcomes for women across Michigan. Appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2019, she brings together employers, healthcare experts, advocates, and policymakers to tackle the issues that actually move the needle - economic security, affordable childcare, and midlife women's health. Before this role, Cheryl helped elect Michigan's first woman U.S. Senator and first woman Governor, and served as Senior Advisor on Governor Whitmer's 2018 campaign. She's exactly the voice this conversation needs. Join Cheryl and our powerhouse lineup of industry experts at The Pause on September 24th. Link in bio to register - spaces are going fast.

We love this trend, so we thought we’d jump on it and ask the team some “hard-hitting questions” to end the week.

We’re a team made up of Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Find out who knows the most about the classics. Any guesses?

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17917175178450239
We love this trend, so we thought we’d jump on it and ask the team some “hard-hitting questions” to end the week. We’re a team made up of Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Find out who knows the most about the classics. Any guesses?

We`ve received so many questions from new grads about breaking into a competitive market as a young professional. It starts with one thing according to @bodespeaks: being the salesperson of YOU. Emulate the leaders in your industry and show up where they show up.

It`s not who you know, it`s who knows you
Use the playbook of people you admire
Show up consistently and be seen
A handwritten note beats 100 LinkedIn messages, always.

See more Bode wisdom at her YouTube channel linked in our bio.

12 1
Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18092872106558307
We've received so many questions from new grads about breaking into a competitive market as a young professional. It starts with one thing according to @bodespeaks: being the salesperson of YOU. Emulate the leaders in your industry and show up where they show up. It's not who you know, it's who knows you Use the playbook of people you admire Show up consistently and be seen A handwritten note beats 100 LinkedIn messages, always. See more Bode wisdom at her YouTube channel linked in our bio.

Meet our first speaker spotlight: Dr. Karen May, DC, CCSP, CCIP.

Dr. May owns and operates @mhneuropathycenter, and she`s joining us for Uncomfortable Community Conversations: The Pause on September 24th to talk about something we don`t talk about enough.

Her career has spanned from elite sports medicine, including a stint as team physician for USA Bobsled and Skeleton as well as caring for pregnant moms and newborns and helping women navigate life’s transitions, always grounded in a belief in food as medicine and the body’s own capacity to heal. In 2017, that expertise was tested when a rare surgical complication left her fighting nerve damage in her own body.

Drawing on decades of clinical practice and training, she rebuilt her health from the ground up — and has since helped thousands of people do the same. With over 20 years in holistic health care, she speaks today as both physician and peer.

Join us for The Pause on September 24th. Link in bio.

3 0
Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 17891917860673621
Meet our first speaker spotlight: Dr. Karen May, DC, CCSP, CCIP. Dr. May owns and operates @mhneuropathycenter, and she's joining us for Uncomfortable Community Conversations: The Pause on September 24th to talk about something we don't talk about enough. Her career has spanned from elite sports medicine, including a stint as team physician for USA Bobsled and Skeleton as well as caring for pregnant moms and newborns and helping women navigate life’s transitions, always grounded in a belief in food as medicine and the body’s own capacity to heal. In 2017, that expertise was tested when a rare surgical complication left her fighting nerve damage in her own body. Drawing on decades of clinical practice and training, she rebuilt her health from the ground up — and has since helped thousands of people do the same. With over 20 years in holistic health care, she speaks today as both physician and peer. Join us for The Pause on September 24th. Link in bio.
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