TV Soundbites Push Your Message

You should never do an interview without having your own objectives–messages you want to get out. It is not enough just to answer a reporter's questions. You and the publisher can best determine the content of the messages. They might reflect the success of Campus Men, or your desire to promote yourself and generate other opportunities.

Objective messages should be: Simple, Single and Clear

Imagine your soundbite appearing on a billboard along the freeway, or try writing it on the back of your business card. If it won't fit, it is probably too long. Give the reporter a one-liner, ...a sound bite.

During the interview, restate the objective message in every answer. If you answer a dozen questions and remember to get to your own objective only six times–there's a good chance your message will wind up on the cutting room floor. Reporters are used to hearing repeated messages from experienced interview subjects. It's part of the game.

Give the reporter a story!!

How big and interesting the article is, is up to you! Don't simply say, "It was a fun time." Remember interesting things about being recruited by the publisher, your photo shoot, or people's reaction to your being Campus Men boy. Make a short list and take it with you to the interview.

Remember to tell them anything relevant to your past, such as awards, football quarterback in high school, etc. Push the "look what little Johnny is doing now!" angle

If they want to publish a photo of you, convince them to use your Campus Men photo. If it is too provocative, they can crop it. They can show the parts of the photo that do not include your butt. Have your parents supply photos of you when you were a baby.

Think Before Answering Questions

Do not feel pressured to answer quickly when asked a question. Take a second or two to think of a one-liner, a funny answer or something interesting about your experience. Many college guys feel pressured during television interviews to rush to answer a question as soon as it is asked. There is rarely enough time in a TV news broadcast to air footage of the reporter asking you the question - they only air the answers. So do not feel pressured to answer quickly. When asked a question, you can take a second or two.

"But how do I get to my objective when the reporter is asking an unrelated l question?" Use the "bridging" or "touch-and-go" technique. Touch on the answer to the reporter's question, and go on–bridge–to your own objective. Don't wait for the reporter to ask the perfect question. It won't happen.

Question: "Do you think this Campus Men with its nearly-nude photos is sort of embarrassing to OSU? "

Answer. "I think a lot of high school girls will be coming to OSU next year because of this Campus Men!" etc.

Three Key Points

• Always have one positive objective with examples to support it.
• State everything in sound bite format, starting with the conclusion.
• Bridge to your objectives at every opportunity. Don't wait for good questions.

NEXT Newspaper Interviews

Creating a Campus Men profile provides you an opportunity to build a fanbase on the Internet and get paid for adding tips to our site using our incredibly easy Self-Publishing Tool. Six minutes filling out a form describing super-easy concepts and you get a check in the mail!

If you are not a student, but know of a college student who would benefit from our program, you can Nominate him to Become a Campus Man