Who’s to blame for media misquotes … you or them?

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When coaching clients on how to work with media, I start by asking for each participant’s greatest fear. Inevitably, the majority say being misquoted or taken out of context. This is especially true with attorneys who are trained to dissect words for specific intent.

Of course, most of the blame for being misquoted is placed squarely on the shoulders of the reporter. Rarely, if ever, do we look inward for the source of disconnects between what we say, what the reporter captures and how the reporter transfers that knowledge into a story. But most of us would benefit from such introspection.

More than likely our responses to reporter questions are too long, too convoluted and too sprawling in scope. This allows the reporter to determine what information is important, why it is important and how it should be used in the story. In this scenario, the likelihood is next to nil that messages you want conveyed will appear in the story.

To combat the crapshoot nature of this approach, we must coach reporters on what is important, why particular insights are germane to the story and how to use those elements. Coaching creates a framework for receiving the information. This increases the likelihood your comments remain in the intended context.

Coaching, however, requires preparation for each media engagement. Unfortunately, people frequently throw caution to the wind and wing it. This decision often results from arrogance, time constraints and, sometimes, laziness. The displeasure of an inaccurate or incomplete story typically changes how or whether people prepare for media interviews.

Some tips follow to enhance your coaching ability:

• Attempt to understand what angle the reporter intends to take.
• Research previous coverage by a reporter.
• Understand audiences receive information based on their perspective, which derives from personal experiences.
• Craft messages that resonate with a given audience and that advance your agenda.
• Repeatedly rehearse aloud answers to anticipated questions using crafted messages.
• Develop illustrations, anecdotes and other examples to reinforce messages.
• Ask who the reporter already contacted and what information was received.
• Ask who else the reporter intends to contact.
• Anticipate what those people might say and attempt to address those items in the context of your position.
• Consider video taping rehearsals to gain feedback on verbal and nonverbal communications.

Now that we are prepared to create some context for reporters, we must turn our attention to ensuring the accuracy of the statements we make during interviews. Some tips to improve accurate reporting by increasing reporter retention:

• Place comments in a series of three.
• Present ideas or thoughts in chronological order.
• Repeat concepts throughout the interview.
• Ask the reporter to repeat your quote back to you.

Finally, we must prepare to make what we say effective. Consider the reporter and the audience receiving the information when determining how to make your comments memorable, which translates to you being quotable. Use words that trigger reporters to take note. When you preface a statement, for example, by saying, “These points deserve emphasis,” people instinctively pick up a pen and take note. For other triggers to greater retention of your messages, I offer insights contained in the book “Made to Stick.” In this book, researchers Chip and Dan Heath powerfully portray why some ideas stick, and some don’t:

• Keep it simple.
• Make it unexpected.
• Communicate clearly with concrete examples.
• Create a path to believability by building credibility.
• Stir the emotions to get audiences to care.
• Tell compelling stories to motivate desired actions.

Karl Robe, APR, counsels attorneys and executives on communications strategies that support achievement of growth objectives and overcome business challenges. Contact him at Karl James & Company LLC by emailing [email protected].