Just like a financial planning client fears not having enough money for retirement, reporters fear getting their facts wrong in print.
Inaccuracy isn't tolerated in newspapers or magazines. Look at the outcry after Mitch Albom, bestselling author of Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven, mis-stated the location of an interview subject in an article. And this was in a sports column! Imagine the fallout if he'd made a crucial error on the business pages. It's no wonder reporters are fearful.
This provides an opportunity for you to stay in contact with a reporter after your interview, and maybe even steer the story in the direction that will maximize your publicity and marketing results.
After the interview is over, send the reporter a note or email inviting them to fact-check with you before the article goes to print. You'll get to correct any obvious errors in your comments or in the article, and perhaps even smooth out any infelicities in your quotes. With a little diplomacy, you may be able to exert some last-minute gentle influence on the story's drift.
Think of this as a value-added service for your client, the reporter. It shows that you understand their job and will make them more likely to interview you again for their next story.
Ned Steele works with people in professional services who want to build their practice and accelerate their growth. The president of Ned Steele's MediaImpact, he is the author of 102 Publicity Tips To Grow a Business or Practice. To learn more visit http://www.MediaImpact.biz or call 212-243-8383.
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