How to be media friendly

Some newsmakers have become popular because they've learned the art of being media friendly. That is, they understand what reporters need and want when it comes to covering their industry or field.

So, are there certain tips or tactics one can use to become more media friendly? Absolutely. We'll outline them over a span of several posts. We suggest you try to put them to use at the next opportunity.

First, we'll look at sound bites.

A media friendly newsmaker has developed the knack of speaking in short, succinct and memorable sound bites. This sounds simple enough, but we can unpack it a bit more.

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Speaking in short sound bites is not just a case of knowing when to stop talking. You still must convey important information. You still need to get your message across.

Succinct soundbites are those in which the sentence comes to an end. If you're in the habit of stringing together random thoughts, reporters will struggle to find the sound bite. Learn to finish your sentences.

Memorable sound bites are those that help you characterize and summarize your main point. Choice of words is important. President Kennedy could have said, "It's important for everyone to pitch in and not ask so much of the government." Instead, he used a poetic flourish: "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."

Sound bites help to season your message. As a result, it's what reporters most likely will use when they report your story. Media friendly newsmakers know this and deliver.

Mack Communications | Twitter: @mack_comm