PR Information

So, How Do I Answer That?


How you answer questions depends on many factors. Example what type of situation is it. Are you working with your colleague or talking with your boss. Are you doing an interview with the media or announcing a breakthrough with your business.

Most people have told me that they worry the most when it is the media, because embarrassing or damaging answers could end up on public display. However, the reality is the most reporters are not out to get people, they are just looking for the facts behind the story.

Sometimes it can be difficult to state your answers because each person has their own agenda of things that they would like to accomplished or have answered.

It is important in these situations to remain calm. When you are stressed out or upset, you literately shut off your thinking cells.

If you use the example of a manufacturing company looking at moving or upgrading their facility and media has heard they are shutting down, putting the employees out of work, we can look at different scenarios.

Many people find yes / no questions very annoying or upsetting because in either case it can be very misleading. For example, if they asked, are you closing down the plant? and you answered with a yes, that sounds permanent and possibly putting many people out of work. Where as it may be temporary to accomplish some upgrades or maybe you are relocating to a more efficient location.

If you are being asked yes or no questions that could be misleading, there are ways you can answer with an explanation without looking like you are making excuses.

A couple of examples would be;

  • Yes, and in addition to that? (we have found a more efficient and safer builder)
  • No, there is more to this?(We are completing some upgrades for safety and efficiency)
  • I do not know about that, I do however know?(We do have plans to upgrade and improve safety)
  • Other times you may have the media interviewing you and they are not quite sure what questions to ask. Often, they appreciate it when you help them out. If you find the questions they are asking confusing or irrelevant you can lead them to the important issues.

    Some of the ways to do this are;

  • What I think you're getting at is?(We had concerns for the safety and well being of our employees)
  • That is one possibility and?(another is to find a safer building to work in)
  • But perhaps an equally important issue here is?(the workers safety comes first)
  • Sometimes it is important to emphasize an issue. The person you are speaking with may not realize what the important issues are.

    You can help them out by saying:

  • What I would really like to point out is?.(We at XYZ Company take safety seriously)
  • The most significant issue here is?(Once we heard about the safety issues, we took immediate action to resolve it)
  • What distinguishes this from others is?(We took the time to listen to the workers concerns and acted right away)
  • Remember, stay calm, think through your answer and prepare your self in advance. It is not about answering the quickest, it is about getting the facts right, which helps both you and the reporter with their story. This in turn helps build your credibility.

    P.S. If you like what you're reading in this ezine,
    you'll love the book,"Media Protocol"
    If you have ever been terrified to have an interview with
    the media or answer their questions, this is the ebook for you.
    Media Protocol

    All the Best!
    Maria Boomhower
    The Master Communicator
    To sign up for a free report on

    "The 7 Secrets to Communication Mastery"
    go to: http://www.falconfreedom.com
    Master Communicator Blog


    MORE RESOURCES:

    PR Newswire High Technology Summary, Friday, Nov. 21, 2008
    MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
    Nov 21, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Following is a summary of technology news releases transmitted today by PR Newswire. The full text of these releases ...


    PR Newswire Summary of EntertaiNet Copy, Friday, Nov. 21, 2008
    MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
    Nov 21, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Following is a summary of entertainment news releases transmitted today by PR Newswire. ...


    Two Pr. George's Firefighters Hurt in House Fire
    Washington Post, United States - Nov 21, 2008
    AP County fire department spokesman Mark Brady says a 27-year-old firefighter suffered significant burns to his upper body while battling a blaze at a ...


    Prop 8 involvement a PR fiasco for LDS Church
    Salt Lake Tribune, United States - 23 hours ago
    By Peggy Fletcher Stack LDS Church President Thomas Monson waves to the audience after speaking during the closing session of the LDS General Conference on ...


    SED International Holdings, Inc. Names Elite Financial ...
    MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
    Through the firm's PR division, Elite Media Group, Elite offers traditional and new media outreach, corporate communications, brand-building, ...


    FOXNews

    Obama considers Hillary: PR gone awry
    Examiner.com - Nov 21, 2008
    by Carrol Van Stone, Publicity Examiner What has happened to the Obama PR machine? Why have we spent close to two weeks with Hillary and Bill Clinton back ...
    Video: New US Administration to clean up the mess RussiaToday
    Balance of Opinion: A post for Hillary? Dallas Morning News
    First thoughts: Busy week on tap MSNBC
    Gawker
    all 3,559 news articles


    Prescott official questions PR contract
    KTAR.com, AZ - 6 hours ago
    by AP A Prescott City Councilman is questioning a large public relations contract awarded to promote a joint water pipeline project with the town of ...
    PR contract raises questions about council 'transparency' Prescott Daily Courier
    all 5 news articles


    Examiner.com

    Cowboys PR overriding underachieving season
    Examiner.com - Nov 21, 2008
    And the NFL’s newest Boy Scout, Romo--is this guy for real or is this all a PR stunt? Helping an old couple change a tire on the side of a dark road then ...


    Examiner.com

    Pay for Performance: PR for today’s economy
    Examiner.com - 11 hours ago
    by Carrol Van Stone, Publicity Examiner The tightened marketing budgets of today’s companies are dictating a return to value and accountability in PR. ...


    dBTechno

    Black women more likely to have ER/PR-negative breast cancer
    HemOncToday, NJ - Nov 21, 2008
    “We found that 35% of breast cancers among black women were ER/PR-negative compared with 20% of tumors in white women, which is consistent with what has ...
    ER/PR Negative Tumors Associated with Insurance Status Newswise (press release)
    all 603 news articles

    PR - Google News

    home | site map
    © 2006