Do You Fear Being Misquoted in Media Interviews?

We work with many executives and public figures who receive frequent requests for media interviews and quotes for stories, and there’s not a single person who doesn’t fear being misquoted. The slightest change in what you say can transform you from the insightful thought leader to an insensitive cad, but it's easier than you'd think to put risk management procedures into place to prevent misquotes.While you can’t completely control what the media does following your interview, most media professionals are as anxious as you are to get it right. Here are some tips for you and your PR support team:

1. Take time to prepare for the interviews in advance. Media training and advanced preparation with your key points can help you stay on point and offer clarity to your communication.
2. Think before you speak. By taking just a moment – a breath, a pause, a second to collect your thoughts – before responding to a question, you can be more concise and precise with your answers and less likely to be misquoted.
3. Stick to the agenda. The closer you stick to the agreed-upon agenda, the better. Especially when speaking with the reporter by phone, have your talking points with you as a visual reminder of your message strategy.
4. Repeat and confirm. Don’t shy away from having interviewers repeat back what you said to make sure they got it right, understood what you said, and have captured your quote accurately in their notes.
5. Never answer a question to which you don’t really know the answer. You’ll end up stumbling through it, possibly rambling, and creating more risk for being misquoted.
6. Ask to review articles before they are published. While this takes an additional step and may not be possible, having the ability to correct information before it’s been printed can be helpful.

Don’t let your fear of being misquoted keep you from participating in interviews. Media interviews are important for corporate executives, public figures, and most professionals, providing opportunities for added visibility. Being adequately prepared for your media exposure is essential to the process.