Are You Quotable?

What do William Shakespeare, Thomas Jefferson, and Elvis Presley have in common? Their words break free from the shackles of time. While PR professionals may not be speaking about rock & roll, making your words memorable is an essential skill in the communications industry.   

Your quotability is of the utmost importance, so using powerful and articulate wording allows you to find coverage for your client and promote your message. Here are three tips to examine your interview style, get quoted and become the Elvis Presley of public relations:  

1)    Provide Clear and Concise Answers

“Brevity is the soul of wit” -William Shakespeare.

Keep your sentences clear, brief and understandable. This allows reporters to easily quote you instead of needing to paraphrase your points. Prepare your talking points ahead of time and bring them with you for reference.

Additionally, as the nature of reporters is to absorb, rearrange and reassemble information to create a story, ensure that each sentence is an independent message and can be taken out of context.

2)    Inform, Don’t Sell

“Educate and inform the mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of liberty” -Thomas Jefferson.  

Keep your information unbiased by presenting comprehensive information from various points of view. This allows reporters to view you as an objective topic expert and will build trust in your media relationships. By choosing to be informative rather than persuasive, you will gain credibility and your words will begin to carry stronger value.  

3)    Follow Up

“Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine” -Elvis Presley 

Don’t be afraid to follow up with additional information and commentary after an interview. This allows you to provide the reporter with more content and pre-writes potential quotes for them.

It is undeniable that the ever-expanding nature of the public relations field makes it especially crucial to get your voice heard. With these three tips, you can become quotable and transform yourself into a powerful spokesperson!

Interested in learning more about how to speak with the media for maximum impact? Contact us today: aboutsage.com/connect.