Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
- A comfortable meeting area
- Food and drinks
- Media packets (information about the story)
How to prepare a media interview
Step1
First you must decide where the interview will be held. If it is a one-on-one, a reporter always wants something "natural" so pictures can be taken. And when I say natural, I'm not talking about a wooded stream. A person's office as opposed to a conference room down the hall is the best idea. That makes all the subjects more comfortable.
Step2
However, this may be a large press event. A conference room or, weather permitting, outside the building are usually best places.
Step3
Send out a release via e-mail or regular mail at least a week in advance to your targeted media. Think of anyone that may be interested and find the right person to invite. For example, if you are holding a press conference about an arts program and you send the release to a cops reporter, that reporter won't show.
Step4
Follow up with the media the day before. Most reporters are forgetful and don't RSVP to an event. Check with him (or her) to see if he's are coming or not. Also, ask if there is anything that interests him about the story and how you can get him more information.
Step5
Provide something to eat and drink. Even if the reporters don't eat (and they will eat) you can take it back to your office or friends.
Step6
Prep the interviewee. Let he or she know that the press is coming and go over key parts of the speech.
Step7
When the press arrive, make sure they get a media packet, which should contain a press release, photographs on a disc and any other pertinent information.
Step8
Once the event is done, make sure the press know where they can reach you.
Novice 
