5 Better Ways to Answer “Anything Else You’d Like to Add?” in Media Interviews
By Linda Zebian for PRNews
You’re wrapping up an interview with a journalist when they turn to your executive spokesperson and ask:
“Is there anything else you’d like to add that I didn’t ask?”
Your executive replies, “Nope, I think we covered it.”
And your heart sinks.
Would your Chief Marketing Officer turn down free advertising? Would your Chief Financial Officer ignore an opportunity to erase outstanding invoices? Of course not. So why would a PR professional let a golden opportunity for additional media exposure slip away?
That closing question is potential free earned media. It’s a chance to reinforce a key message, extend the story, and make it more compelling. Next time your spokesperson is asked for any additional comments, here are five powerful ways to maximize the opportunity.
1. Cite Data
Numbers add credibility and can reinforce your spokesperson’s talking points. Ensure you have an entire section of compelling statistics in every media brief to back up key messages and add color to your narrative. Whether it’s about the impact of an initiative, industry trends, or a surprising data point, hard numbers resonate with journalists and can make your story more newsworthy.
Pro tip: If you’re lacking fresh data, quickly search for top news and research of the day by scouring data-heavy newsletters from outlets like Morning Consult, Pew Research Center or LinkedIn News.
2. Reiterate, but Say It Better
Take a key point you’ve already made and refine it. Offering a sharper, more polished soundbite gives journalists stronger quotes to work with, increasing the likelihood of your message being used in the final story.
3. Tie It to Current Events
Make your news matter by connecting it to what’s happening in the world. Whether it’s a cultural shift, economic trend or industry development, framing your message within a larger context makes it more relevant and engaging.
Attention attracts more attention, so apply the same urgency to writing media briefs as you do when crafting a pitch. Executive spokespeople often don’t have the time to stay fully informed on the latest news and social media discussions. It’s your responsibility to bridge the gap—connecting global and social developments to the business, and ultimately, to the conversation between the reporter and your spokesperson.
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