2008 Manual of Motorcycle Sport - Motorcycling Australia

mOTORCYCLING AUSTRALIa media guide
The do’s and don’ts of interviews
You don’t often get a chance to be on television, right?
When that chance comes, you don’t want to blow it.
Here are a few helpful hints and suggestions which will
be useful the next time a microphone and television
camera are thrust in your face after finishing a race.
• Think before you speak. What’s the most
important thing you want to say? [This
might not be the answer to the question
you’ve just been asked.]
• Keep it short and pithy.
• Don’t avoid being controversial [but don’t
slag off other riders].
• Think about how you can maximise
publicity.
• Practice makes perfect and the more you
get used to the idea of being interviewed,
the easier it will be when the moment
actually arrives.
Practice speaking into the mirror or ask a friend or team
mate to help you by conducting mock interviews.
Here is an example of what might happen the next time
you race.
You’ve just finished first, second or third in a televised
round of an Australian Championship, or any other
major motorcycling event.
You take off your sweaty helmet, run your hands
through your drenched hair, put on your sponsor’s cap,
and confront the lens of the television camera that is
now pointed at you.
The interviewer opens the dialogue with an open-ended
question such as:
“Congratulations, [your name]. That was a good ride.
You must be pretty happy”
This may be your one chance to establish yourself in
the eyes of the television audience [and sponsors] as
something more than yet another race-track clone.
Don’t blow it.
Don’t answer with something like:
“Yeah, no…yeah. The guys in the crew were fantastic
today. I’m like…wow. My Pyong Ying tyres were great.
I coulda done better but the suspension wasn’t quite
dialled in. We’re still muckin’ round with the settings.”
Do say:
“People wonder why I use Pyong Ying tyres, but with
what we know about setting up the bike, they’re worth
1.5 seconds over the Rollingstones around here.”
The next question may be, “You seemed to get faster
as the race went on.”
Don’t say:
“Yeah, no…yeah. You sorta get into a rhythm sort of
thing, you know? Yeah, no...it was good.”
Tips to remember
Some sub-editors are, if not lazy, unwilling to work any harder than necessary. Confronted with the usual drivel
that emerges from sporting telecasts, the result is usually invisible. If you want to attract publicity, give the media
workable material.
• Do take elocution lessons.
• Don’t say ‘yeah’ or ‘nah’. The word is ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
• Don’t say ‘yeah, no’ – it really doesn’t mean anything. • Get your teeth fixed if necessary!
• Say something meaningful.
• Avoid clichés.
• Don’t mumble – speak clearly.
• Don’t fiddle with your cap.
Look into the eyes of the interviewer, make him (or her) believe that you have a story to tell. Create a personality
for yourself. Give facts, not waffle.
Be positive and focussed. Try not to feel nervous.
Good television is entertaining and the most important people you have to entertain in the first instance are those
deciding what ends up on the cutting room floor - editors. Not necessarily the audience – because editors decide
whether the audience will even get a chance to see you.
It’s up to you to tell – and sell – your story!
32 enjoy the ride
2008 MANUAL OF MOTORCYCLE SPORT