Back up your claims, don't speculate


At an interview you can expect a variety of questions, never answer with something you can't back-up, and NEVER speculate.
If the reporter asks.
"Can you give me an example?"

If you are making a key point or observation, be ready to back it up with an example. Make sure it's a good one. Reporters will often use this information in stories.

"Can you prove that?"

You should be able to prove anything you tell a reporter during an interview. If you can point to a specific source where you got your information, do so. Do not, under any circumstances, claim you can prove something that you cannot. The reporter is apt to hunt down the information, prove you wrong, and say so in print.

Or, "What if the economy goes bad? Would you consider laying off employees?"

Beware of the words "What if." Never speculate about anything because once it's in print, it can come back to haunt you. Simply say, "I don't want to speculate about anything like. Besides, there are so many factors that would go into that kind of a decision."
Learn more about what not to say to a reporter in an interview by reading Special Report #2, "Questions You Can Expect Reporters to Ask During An Interview (Including Nasty, Hostile Ones)"

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