Selling Yourself in Confrontation and Media Interviews 115
an event, or at a function. These are tough because they’re almost
always spontaneous. You’ll probably be surprised, maybe even
shocked. You may not be able to disguise the fact that you weren’t
expecting this. You haven’t prepared yourself physically or psy-
chologically for the interview. You’re just as likely to be thinking,
“Is my hair mussed?” or “Do I look okay?” as “How can I get my
best point across?”
Of course, if you’re standing around a crime scene, an acci-
dent site, or on the courthouse steps during a controversial trial,
you should expect nothing less than a microphone shoved in your
face and a question shouted at you. There’ll be camera crews ga-
lore and if one camera gets pointed at you, all the other reporters
will flock to you thinking the other station has just found an “ex-
pert.”
There you are with microphones pointed at you from all
directions.
Several reporters are now shouting questions simulta-
neously and all the while demonstrators are chanting their re-
hearsed slogans.
People are pushing you.
Sirens are blaring.
Horns are honking and the egomaniacs are crowding you out
to wave at the camera.
The sun is shining right in your eyes. Or, if it’s dark, the TV
lights are. Maybe the weather is rotten, and you’re in physical
discomfort.
The biggest mistake you can make is to assume that you’ll do
okay because you know what you’re talking about. A lot of other-
wise bright folks have been led like lambs to the slaughter because
they felt they could open their mouths and the information would
undoubtedly come out right.
Time and again, I’m amazed by the lack of smarts graphically
demonstrated by public officials, doctors, business executives,
contractors, attorneys, and other intelligent professionals who
agree to appear on television without specific, specialized train-
ing. You’d think they’d have figured out by now that intimidation,
controversy, and confrontation are what keep TV interview shows
on the air.