Unveiling the Magic Question for Reporters: Boosting Your Media Interview Success

New York blogger and web marketing consultant, BL Ochman, said she has finally learnt the magic question to ask a reporter when pitching a story angle. In one of her blogs, Ochman said it is fine for the story angle to be featured in the media and for the reporter to be interested your potential as a future source of news. But first you need to ask the magic question:

“Will you include the name of my company (and a link to it) in your article?”

(It must be said that this is certainly an ‘in-your-face’ question. Many people would not feel comfortable asking this question to a reporter from a major news outlet. It is more suitable to a news website or industry publication.)

Ochman had been interviewed for an article in an e-magazine in which neither her consultancy nor her project were named, and nor was there a link to her blog or consultancy. As a result, the pitch was completely wasted. Although her name was used in the story, it would have meant little to readers.

With some trepidation she emailed the reporter, who immediately apologized and added the link.

With online media, additions like this can be made after the event, and so she had saved the day.

The experience was a seminal event for her.

The magic question is indeed worth asking in all media relations activity. If you don’t feel comfortable asking the direct question, you can use your communication acumen to think of ways to ask it more tactfully.

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash.

Boost your career with actionable insights delivered monthly to your inbox

Join 5000 subscribers around the world and subscribe to the free monthly Cutting Edge Insights newsletter! 

By signing up, you will receive expert advice, tips, information and news on practical business communication and management from award-winning author, Kim J. Harrison. 

Simply fill out the form below and check your inbox for a confirmation email.

*All fields shown below are required

Name(Required)

Monthly updates for you!

Get awesome actionable insights delivered monthly to your inbox.

It’s so easy to join our Cutting Edge Connections community of readers. Just fill in the details below to receive our regular free updates.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*