How to Talk to a Reporter

It's unusual for a reporter to blog about a really great interview, but that's what I'm about to do. So often you read blogs about what not to do when dealing with the media. This time around, how about a good example of HOW TO TALK TO A REPORTER?

I recently cold-called a local home builder for an article about a refurbished historic home in our area. He was the contractor for the job. I called at 9:30 a.m., and he did everything right from that point on.

1. He took my call. He wasn't expecting me, but he took the call and gave me nearly 20 minutes. Compare that to a few months ago, when I called a local financial planner, seeking her expertise for an article. She took two days to call back. Needless to say, she missed my deadline and the boat.

2. He was honest. Want to know the fastest way to make a reporter roll her eyes? Pepper your interviews with lame, over-the-top positive quotes. Not this guy. He was honest. He said that when he first walked into the historic home to give an estimate for the job, he told the owners that they were making a mistake. It was too big of a job that had the potential to become a money pit. I would much rather do a story about a guy who can be honest like that, than I would about someone who gushes, "It was so awesome!" with every other breath. Repeat after me: Conflict is what makes every story worth telling.

3. He didn't try to oversell himself or his company. During the interview, he explained that his company specializes in historic refabs and reproductions. That was all I needed to know in the context of the article. He didn't try to sell me a thousand different angles that had nothing to do with the article I was working on.

The interview went so well that his own house and his company are going to be featured again in an upcoming issue of the magazine. Now THAT is a successful interview.

And THAT is how you talk to a reporter.