Something I need to work on. For those who don’t know, I’m more of a right-hand man than a front-man. What this means for me is that I’m good for a "on the one hand there’s this" and "on the other hand there’s that" type rants. Doesn’t mean I’m a slouch for having a definitive opinion, but for persons that have played a facilitative role in consulting or other areas, being balanced and level-headed comes with the turf. I’m familiar with the scenario where the client CEO confronts you in the elevator and you need to give the 30-second pitch on where the engagement is at while at the same time justifying your existence. All said, giving an executive business summary is a bit different from "speaking quotably", the latter which is required for talking with press reporters.
Ford Harding, in his book "Rain Making" (a very good book for those looking to hone their skills in attracting new clients in the professional services or consulting world), has some good examples of speaking quotably (categorization is mine):
- Colorful words – "… like Bambi caught in the headlights …"
- Cliches – "This is only round one."
- Dramatic – "That issue is as dead as the flat earth theory."
- Despair – "Many will never work again."
This past Friday I was called by a reporter as related to an article on corporate blogging just being finalized for one of the major East coast newspapers. The reporter was extremely friendly, smart, nice, and precise about her work. Have no idea whether the statements I made will be used, but it made me realize I have something to work on.
Caught off guard I was. Use this encounter as a signal I will. Make improvements I shall. Have any thoughts do you?
Thanks for the kind comment on my book. Here are some thoughts on how to speak quotably to the press:
1) Keep it short. It will be easier for the reporter to write down or remember and fit into the article more easily.
2) Be contrarian. Reporters are frequently looking for someone to balance the overly sunny or gloomy views of the issue being covered.
3) Be provocative. Edginess is interesting. The reporter wants to stir readers’ emotions.
4) Be autoritative. Let the reporter know of your credentials, making it easy to cite you as a credible source.
30 years of experience confirms that in spite of having these simple instruction, few professionals willfollow them or ever get quoted.
(I don’t believe this last sentnce, but it is short, contrarian, provocative and authoritative.)