Public Relations Guide for Rural Housing Organizations (manual

know that you are aware of her/his needs. Determine the questions you are willing to answerand avoid quick responses that could be used to misrepresent you and your organization.Convey a key message, which should be four or five main points (no more than one sentenceeach). Repeat them to keep the interview on track.Sharon Walden of West Virginia has been interviewed frequently by the host of a local 30-minute radio program. He told her to call him any time she wanted to be on the air. Even withthis friendly encouragement, Sharon has been very careful about how the interviews werehandled. Before the show she has always given the interviewer a list of questions to ask andtold him to stick to just those questions.Learn all you can about the interviewer, including his/her style, before your interview. Listento or observe one of the reporter’s previous interviews. Remain positive, honest, and move theconversation away from accusations as quickly and effectively as you can.Interview TipsMost of the following suggestions will apply to interviews conducted by print media; somerefer to broadcast interviews.- If your name is hard to pronounce, be sure the interviewer knows the correctpronunciation before the program begins.- Develop a list of arguments and counter arguments regarding your issues, and practiceusing them with friends. Learn to speak simply.- Before the interview begins, ask what the first question will be, and be prepared to useit to make your main point. What you are saving to say at the end of an interview maynever be used because of lack of time.- Practice having sound bites ready. Remember that news segments drawn from yourinterview are only two or three minutes long. Avoid language that is too technical orthat requires a long explanation. This may seem hard to do with housing issues, sopractice is essential.- Remember that everything you say, even in casual conversation with the reporter beforethe interview begins, may be used. It is very easy for a reporter to forget that youwanted to keep something off the record.- Keep focusing on the ideas you want to convey. Self-aggrandizement, even on behalf ofyour organization, is easily recognized and turns people off. Your organization’sreputation should speak for itself.Housing Assistance Council 29