Q: Help! I just got an email from a reporter working on a story for the local newspaper. Can you give me a few media coaching tips so I'm prepared and I make sure I am saying the right things about me and my business to the reporter?

A: Sure! First, let me say congratulations to you! That's great news! Here are 10 quick pre-media interview tips.

1. Set a goal: what point or info do you want to get across? What does your dream story look like? Be sure to keep coming back to that if the reporter doesn't.

2. Offer to help through your info: if you feel nervous at all, try to see the reporter as a new customer or new member that you want to help. Help her do her job by sharing stories, data and information.

3. Prepare your messages: you want to talk about your business in a not-too-salesy way so I suggest you write out a list of possible questions and your answers. Start practicing how you will say your answers out loud with a friend or alone and so you feel really prepared - like you would for a job interview.

4. Prepare your environment: pull together whatever you need that makes you feel comfortable and prepared, like water, a notebook and pen or your laptop. Be sure you're in a quiet place where you can focus 100% on the call and not get interrupted.

5. Prep some stories: have a few "colorful" and descriptive examples and stories ready to share.

6. Prep some data: stats about your customers, your business, your indistry, trends, etc.

7. Write down the questions you get asked: it is good to do this so you you remember them. It will help you if you need to follow up with her about anything after the interview. It will also help you with other marketing and future PR.

8. Be sure your goals were met: if you get to the end of the interview and you still haven't talked about some things you think are important to her story, tell her.

9. Ask your questions, too: sometimes it can be hard to reach the reporter later so get all your questions answered now while you have her on the phone!

10. Have fun! This is exciting! Enjoy the interview experience and see it as a stepping stone and one of many more to come!

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