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24 Ways to Speak in Soundbites

24 Ways to Speak in Soundbites

How do you respond to a hostile question from a reporter? How do you address an issue with which you’re unfamiliar? How do you translate your message into a memorable sound bite?

These are just a few of the issues we’ll tackle in my media-training workshop. I break the session down into five parts:

1. A presentation on the core principles of mediaspeak, replete with real-life case studies.

2. Brainstorming to essentialize your key messages.

3. A discussion on how to answer uncomfortable questions.

4. An analysis of your clips.

5. Mock interviews.

Jonathan Rick

April 26, 2018
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Transcript

  1. Nick I did not kill my wife. Tanner Why don’t

    you try it again, a little less wooden? Nick I didn’t kill my wife. Tanner throws a Gummy bear at Nick. Nick What are you doing? Tanner Every time you look smug or annoyed or tense, I’m going to hit you with a Gummy bear. Nick That supposed to make me less tense? Tanner Let’s try it again. Mr. Dunn, from what I understand, you and your wife had some bumps. Nick Yeah, we had some tough years. I lost my job. Tanner You both did.
  2. Nick We both lost our jobs. I had to move

    back home so we could take care of my mother, who was dying of cancer. My dad… Tanner Your dad’s scorched earth. Let’s talk about your mom — how close you were. Go on. Nick For a while, things had been building up. Tanner “Built up” implies that an explosion is coming up. No. Nick At a certain point, we got on the wrong track. I had a moment of weakness. Tanner Your “moment” was over 15 months. Nick I disrespected my wife. And I disrespected my marriage. And I’ll always regret it. Tanner That works.
  3. 1EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW 2KEY

    MESSAGES 3COMFORTABLE ANSWERS TO UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTIONS 4CLIPS 5MOCK INTERVIEWS
  4. 1EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW 2KEY

    MESSAGES 3COMFORTABLE ANSWERS TO UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTIONS 4CLIPS 5MOCK INTERVIEWS
  5. “Something seems to happen to people when they meet a

    journalist, and what happens is exactly the opposite of what one would expect. One would think that extreme wariness and caution would be the order of the day, but in fact childish trust and impetuosity are far more common.” —Janet Malcolm
  6. “The Lizzas and Scaramuccis have been friends for over 50

    years. My dad knew his dad from construction, and we were building a personal relationship. Most of what I said was humorous and joking. Legally, it may have been on the record, but the spirit of it was off.” —Anthony Scaramucci
  7. Warren I think you called me a liar on national

    TV. Sanders What? Warren I think you called me a liar on national TV. Sanders You know, let’s not do it right now. If you want to have that discussion, we’ll have that discussion. Warren Anytime.
  8. “Chatterbox, who has been a Washington journalist for nearly 20

    years, doesn’t have a clue what most of these terms mean, and doesn’t believe anyone else does, either. Or rather, thinks that if you ask different journalists what the terms mean, they will give you different answers.” —Timothy Noah (aka “Chatterbox”)
  9. Ivanka declined to speak with New York other than off

    the record, which we declined; this story is based on 60 interviews with her friends and colleagues, which also form the basis of a narrative podcast series I have been reporting for six months. —New York, 2019
  10. © Edward Kimmel via Flickr “It’s a win-win,” Mr. Schmur

    said, describing his strategy, though he quickly corrected himself, settling on “no lose” as a better frame. —The New York Times, 2020
  11. I was 15 minutes late by the time I arrived,

    disheveled and apologetic. Mr. Wilson was seated with eight young women at a square table set for 10. “Now we know,” Mr. Wilson said, “that when we have breakfast with Katie, we don’t really have to be there when we say we will be there.” —The New York Times, 2016
  12. Giuliani, who is 75, is an informal White House cybersecurity

    adviser and a high-priced cybersecurity contractor. In one hand, he clutched three phones of varying sizes. Two of the devices were unlocked, their screens revealing open tabs and a barrage of banner notifications as they knocked into each other and reacted to Giuliani’s grip. He accidentally activated Siri, who said she didn’t understand his command. “She never understands me,” he said. He sighed and poked at the device, attempting to quiet her. —New York, 2019
  13. “Do you have all three phones?,” his bodyguard asked as

    Giuliani stepped out of the car. “Yeah, I got all three phones,” he said. A few minutes later, as we made our way downtown, I saw from the corner of my eye the sun reflecting off of something. It was the screen of one of the phones, which he had left on the seat next to me. —New York, 2019
  14. “One day, while sitting in traffic between meetings, I left

    10 virtually identical voicemails for potential donors, each nearly two minutes in length, and each performed with the requisite conviction, spontaneity, and touch of humor in just the same spots.” —Matt Miller
  15. 17 That’s how many times you need to be exposed

    to a new word before you learn it.
  16. Political Opponent Nicknamed by Trump Hillary Clinton Crooked Hillary Bernie

    Sanders Crazy Bernie Ted Cruz Lyin’ Ted Marco Rubio Liddle Marco Jeb Bush Low-Energy Jeb
  17. Year Adjective 2019 record-breaking 2017 2016 biggest holiday season best-ever

    2018 record-breaking 2015 record breaker 2014 record growth 2013 record-setting 2012 biggest-ever 2011 record-breaking
  18. Spokesperson #1 Oh yeah. Definitely. what you say We apologize

    for the inconvenience, and thank you for your patience. Reporter Google and Twitter no longer accept political ads. Facebook does. Do you agree that censorship is bad?
  19. Spokesperson #2 Yes, censorship is unquestionably bad. what you say

    We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your patience. Reporter Google and Twitter no longer accept political ads. Facebook does. Do you agree that censorship is bad?
  20. Reporter Are there certain people who are more likely to

    get mugged? What advice would you offer to potential victims? Spokesperson #1 The stereotypical thing we all think about is the old lady whose purse is snatched. That certainly happens on occasion, and it’s horrible. But I’ve also seen really big men mugged by smaller criminals with a weapon. So I’d say to everyone to be aware of their environment and remember that anyone can be a victim.
  21. Reporter Are there certain people who are more likely to

    get mugged? What advice would you offer to potential victims? Spokesperson #2 Criminals love crimes of opportunity. Crimes of opportunity can victimize anyone from the 80- year-old grandma who was caught unawares to the 6’6 wrestler who thought he was immune to street crime. So, I tell everyone three things: Surveil your surroundings, park in well-lit and well-populated areas, and trust your instincts. If a situation feels suspicious, don’t be a hero.
  22. News Release #1 In 2014 we launched T Brand Studio

    with a small team that focused on creating branded content at a level of quality people expect from the New York Times. That talented team of designers, writers, producers, developers, and strategists has grown four-fold in the last year, and we’re excited to bring our market-leading expertise to international advertisers. News Release #2 Last year, we were a risky experiment. Today, we’re an indispensable — and soon international — moneymaker.
  23. Casper’s decision is capricious, counterproductive, and cowardly. Technique Example Comparisons

    We’re Uber for medical marijuana. Pop Culture References When it comes to corporate social responsibility, Kermit the Frog was right: “It’s not easy being green.” Triples
  24. Kelly The standard practice for a scandal is to get

    all the damaging facts out yourself — if there are any. So it doesn’t look like you’re hiding. Donna But they’ll leave me out of it? My parents won’t hear about any of this, will they? Kelly We know what we’re doing. Donna B.B. did say that you might have a job for me. Fund- raising? I graduated magna cum laude. Kelly That’s impressive. Donna Do you believe it, about a job? Kelly You sound very qualified.
  25. Reporter Can you guarantee this issue won’t happen again? Spokesperson

    #1 Unfortunately, there are no guarantees in life.
  26. Reporter Can you guarantee this issue won’t happen again? Spokesperson

    #2 I promise you this: We’re committed to changing our culture.
  27. Jeb Bush He has every right to have a view

    on it. Reporter Do you agree with the Pope’s moral mission on climate change?
  28. This Has Become This Sorry I’m late. Thanks for waiting.

    Don’t forget to smile. Remember to smile.
  29. C.E.O. No. I’m an entrepreneur. Like any good businessman, my

    goal is to buy low and sell high. I specialize in buying companies that are failing. In many cases, if I don’t step in, the company would go bankrupt within weeks. So I’m actually saving companies and communities and jobs. Reporter Critics say that venture capitalists are predators who scoop up vulnerable companies and then sell them for parts — no matter the human cost. Are you a predator?
  30. This Has Become This illegal immigrant undocumented worker intact dilatation

    and extraction nuclear codes a nonunionized state The Affordable Care Act bailout Democratic Party partial-birth abortion nuclear bombs a right-to-work state Obamacare financial stability package Democrat Party anti-abortion pro-life religious faith-based change my mind evolve
  31. Volunteer I get that! Labels can be intimidating, especially those

    that are used in so many ways. The truth is, what Bernie stands for is social equality. He wants to ensure equal opportunity for all, not just those on the top. That means healthcare and schools that are reliable, accessible, and effective. That’s what he means by “socialism.” Voter Bernie is a socialist, and that’s scary to me.
  32. This Has Become This rotten meat dry-aged meat sheep dolphin

    fish Patagonian toothfish maple syrup mutton mahi mahi Chilean sea bass low glycemic-index sports fuel prunes dried plums drunk overserved
  33. This Has Become This corporate raider shareholder activist junk bonds

    high-yield bonds vulture capitalist phoenix broke temporary, negative cash flow in debt in the red leveraged buyout private equity poison pill shareholder-rights plan
  34. This Has Become This Department of War Department of Defense

    kill accidental deaths neutralize collateral damage torture enhanced interrogation withdrawal tactical retreat kidnapping rendition torture enhanced interrogation shakedown safety check shoplifting external shrinkage assault rifle modern sporting rifle
  35. This Has Become This secretary executive assistant medic hospital corpsman

    janitor custodial engineer stewardess flight attendant hooker sex worker flower shop floral design studio old senior citizen content moderator process executive pornography free speech
  36. This Has Become This time bandwidth fire middle managers delayer

    fire people increase efficiencies fail pivot unemployed between jobs hang up on release the call warehouse fulfillment center
  37. This Has Become This greenhouse gases pollution renewable energy clean

    energy rising temperatures extreme weather drill for oil explore for oil the dump landfill
  38. This Has Become This deaf hearing impaired bald follically challenged

    handicapped physically challenged blind visually impaired false teeth dental appliances sweat perspire fat curvy wrinkles character lines
  39. This Has Become This toilet paper bath tissue use the

    toilet powder my nose toilet water perfume diarrhea stomachache constipation occasional irregularity
  40. This Has Become This ejaculation release strip hooker wardrobe malfunction

    sex worker coffee (or: Netflix and chill) sex impotence erectile dysfunction naked birthday suit
  41. What Your Customers Hear We’re not sorry we missed you.

    Your call really isn’t that important to us. what you say We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your patience. What Your Voice Menu Says We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your patience.
  42. What Folks Hear But not by me. I didn’t do

    anything wrong. what you say We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your patience. What You Say Mistakes were made.
  43. Jerome Powell We may well be in a recession. But

    again, I would point to the difference between this and a normal recession. There’s nothing fundamentally wrong with our economy. Quite the contrary. The economy performed very well right through February. We’ve got 50-year low in unemployment for the last couple of years. So we start at a very strong position. This isn’t something that’s wrong with the economy. Question As you well know, a “recession” is a technical term; it means two straight quarters of negative growth. We’ve already had one quarter. Put it bluntly: Do you think we are already in recession? Do you think it is inevitable that we will be in recession?
  44. Jerome Powell Savannah, As you know there are technical indicators

    like G.D.P. that determine whether a country has entered a recession. The most important thing for everyone to keep in mind is that nothing is fundamentally wrong with our economy. Quite the contrary… Question As you well know, a “recession” is a technical term; it means two straight quarters of negative growth. We’ve already had one quarter. Put it bluntly: Do you think we are already in recession? Do you think it is inevitable that we will be in recession?
  45. “I am not a crook.” — Richard Nixon 1973 “I

    am not a witch.” — Christine O’Donnell 2010 “I’m not a lesbian.” — Oprah Winfrey 2010 “I am not a bully.” — Chris Christie 2014
  46. “I am not a crook.” — Richard Nixon 1973 “I’m

    not a lesbian.” — Oprah Winfrey 2010 “I am not a bully.” — Chris Christie 2014 “I am human.” — Mark Zuckerberg 2017
  47. “People will forget what you said, people will forget what

    you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” —Maya Angelou
  48. George Bush I think the national debt affects everybody. Obviously,

    it has a lot to do with interest rates. Question How has the national debt personally affected each of your lives? And if it hasn’t, how can you honestly find a cure for the economic problems of the common people if you have no experience in what’s ailing them?
  49. Bill Clinton Tell me how it’s affected you again? You

    know people who’ve lost their jobs and lost their homes? Question How has the national debt personally affected each of your lives? And if it hasn’t, how can you honestly find a cure for the economic problems of the common people if you have no experience in what’s ailing them?
  50. Answer #1 Since the Sunshine Society is a woman’s facility,

    we were unfortunately unable to help this young man. We offered to connect him with another group that works with boys. Reporter The Sunshine Society says it helps victims of domestic abuse. So why did you turn away a 14-year-old boy who was abused?
  51. Answer #2 It breaks my heart that we aren’t equipped

    to bring Jared into our facility. It’s moments like these that I wish we had a separate building where we could house boys who need our services. I have personally pledged to do everything I can to help him, and I’ll accompany him to an appointment at a facility that has the capacity to give him the help he deserves. Reporter The Sunshine Society says it helps victims of domestic abuse. So why did you turn away a 14-year-old boy who was abused?
  52. Reporter In 2006 and 2007, you were paid about £20

    million a year. Now, that’s 1,000 times more than the average Barclays teller gets paid. Can you be worth 1,000 times more than anybody at Barclays? Bob Diamond #1 First of all, most of it wasn’t bonus; most of it was deferred in equity. I think it’s appropriate for someone as senior as myself to get a blend of short term and long term, to get a large portion deferred, and that I’m tied as closely to the shareholders as possible — which was the case. You know, I think market-based compensation is something that is important, and incentives are important.
  53. Bob Diamond #2 Well, on a personal level, no. Anyone

    who comes into our bank knows just how good our tellers are at their jobs. But my role as C.E.O. is to grow the bank, and if I do my job well, there will be more job opportunities, more tellers, and more room for upper growth for our entire staff. And with that responsibility, yes, comes increased compensation. Reporter In 2006 and 2007, you were paid about £20 million a year. Now, that’s 1,000 times more than the average Barclays teller gets paid. Can you be worth 1,000 times more than anybody at Barclays?
  54. #1

  55. #2

  56. Pete Buttigieg Well, I suppose you could run and succeed

    at any age. But I think the really important thing is, Are we focusing on the future, or are we tied up in the politics of the past? And I think in a moment like this, in order to govern — but also in order to win — we gotta be focused on the future. Bill Maher As the youngest guy in the campaign, what do you think about Bernie and Biden — that this party that’s so young-looking is embracing the two oldest people?
  57. “I admired Mr. Sanders when I was a high-school student.

    I respect him greatly to this day.” —Pete Buttigieg
  58. 1. Let’s put this in perspective. 2. Let me add

    some context. 3. We view that as an incomplete view of the issue. The fuller view is that… 4. The bottom line is this: 5. It’s important to remember that… 6. Here’s what we know: 7. Here’s what I can tell you:
  59. 9. If your readers keep only one thing in mind,

    it’s that… 10. Let me tell you what we’ve been seeing. 11. What our research shows is… 12. Keep in mind that… 13. I wouldn’t say that. What I would say is that…
  60. “There is no phrase more damning in a spokesperson’s lexicon

    than ‘no comment.’” —Brad Phillips
  61. David Richter #1 No comment. And I don’t want “no

    comment” to be my answer. No answer. Reporter Has President Trump stayed true to his principles?
  62. David Richter #2 I’m running for office in New Jersey,

    and I’m focused on the issues here in the Second Congressional District. Reporter Has President Trump stayed true to his principles?
  63. Ben Smith You know, this question has come up in

    a couple of different ways, and I’ve realized that I am just of the generation that’s very uncomfortable talking about this kind of thing. Reporter Here’s a difficult question: I’m assuming you took a pay cut to work at the New York Times. Is that true?
  64. Spokesperson As you know, we have a fiduciary responsibility to

    our shareholders to consider all serious offers. But we don’t negotiate through the press. When we have something to announce, we’ll issue a news release. Reporter There have been reports of a possible acquisition. Is Disney buying your company?
  65. Tim Tebow Well, it was heartbreaking, and it was sad.

    And we’ve been advised, as I’m sure you’ve all heard a bunch of times, not to comment on an ongoing legal investigation. So I’m not to comment further. Reporter #1 You know Aaron pretty well, and you’ve known him for six, seven years now. What was your reaction over the last six weeks?
  66. Tim Tebow I understand why you have to ask all

    the questions. That’s part of you doing your job. Part of mine is listening to instruction. We’ve been told not to talk about it. Reporter #2 Are you shocked just knowing him, just knowing the guy and having gone to college with him?
  67. “The data analytics firm that worked with Donald Trump’s election

    team and the winning Brexit campaign harvested millions of Facebook profiles of U.S. voters, in one of the tech giant’s biggest-ever data breaches, and used them to build a powerful software program to predict and influence choices at the ballot box.”
  68. “The data analytics firm that worked with Donald Trump’s election

    team and the winning Brexit campaign harvested millions of Facebook profiles of U.S. voters, in one of the tech giant’s biggest-ever data breaches, and used them to build a powerful software program to predict and influence choices at the ballot box.”
  69. Spokesperson #1 Let me clarify that our chair- man is

    appealing that verdict. Also, I believe you’re referring to our former C.E.O. Reporter Your C.F.O. is cooperating with the S.E.C. Your C.E.O. is on trial for insider trading. Your chairman was convicted of backdating stock options. Is there a culture of corrupt- ion at Waystar Royco?
  70. Spokesperson #2 The Waystar Royco of 2020 is not the

    Waystar Royco of 2018. Our new C.E.O. has dedicated the firm to transparency, and we believe that our new compliance controls are second to none. Reporter Your C.F.O. is cooperating with the S.E.C. Your C.E.O. is on trial for insider trading. Your chairman was convicted of backdating stock options. Is there a culture of corrupt- ion at Waystar Royco?
  71. Correction #1 Earlier, I think I said that about 75%

    of Arlington’s companies are considered small businesses. I should have said 85%. Incorrect Info Arlington is so entrepreneur- friendly that 75% of companies here are small businesses.
  72. Correction #2 Earlier, I think I said that about 75%

    of Arlington’s companies are considered small businesses. I should have said 85%. That statistic, by the way, comes from an article your own paper published a few months ago. I’ll send you the link as soon as we’re done. Incorrect Info Arlington is so entrepreneur- friendly that 75% of companies here are small businesses.
  73. Correction #1 What I meant to say is that money

    isn’t everything. Small businesses are critical to Arlington. Infelicity Small businesses don’t provide as much revenue to Arlington as large businesses do.
  74. Correction #2 What I want to reiterate is that small

    businesses are the heart of our local economy. They not only pump revenue into the town’s coffers; they also bring our community together. In short, small businesses represent a critical part of Arlington’s success. Infelicity Small businesses don’t provide as much revenue to Arlington as large businesses do.
  75. Spokesperson I mentioned earlier how small businesses contribute far more

    than just their economic value. Expanding on that, I want to call attention to their indispensable role in the historical and cultural fabric of Arlington. I’ll give you two quick examples: Goody’s provides after-school jobs to our students, and Cherrydale Hardware never fails to sponsor a Little League team. That kind of heartfelt, sustained commitment is how communities like ours thrive. Reporter Anything else to add?
  76. Let’s Recap If you don’t want to reply with an

    answer, you can reply with a _________. 2/7
  77. Publication The New York Times Magazine Reporter Mark Leibovich Deadline

    September 12, 2017 3 PM EST Topic Reince Priebus Notes Leibovich is the magazine’s chief national correspondent. He’s best known for his DC tell-all book, This Town. He was raised in Boston and has 51,000 followers on Twitter.
  78. Instead, Try This Can you tell me about the story

    you’re working on? Never Ask This Question What’s your angle?
  79. Source I’d love to comment, but I just don’t have

    the time right now. Normally, this isn’t a problem, but not today. Thanks for the opportunity. I hope you’ll keep in mind in the future. Reporter I’m writing a story about Victoria Secret’s decision to cancel its fashion show. My deadline is 5 PM EST. Any thoughts?
  80. Right Check out this “elevator” interview I just did with

    the @WSJ’s @JoannaStern: https://on.wsj.com/394C5by what you say We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your patience. Wrong Check out this “elevator” interview I just did with the Wall Street Journal: https://on.wsj.com/394C5by
  81. Better How does @ThirdLove determine your bra size? In this

    video interview with @JoannaStern, I explain our secret algorithm: https://on. wsj.com/394C5by what you say We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your patience. Good Check out this “elevator” interview I just did with the @WSJ’s @JoannaStern: https://on.wsj.com/394C5by
  82. Right Here are a few thoughts in response to your

    HARO request about “pinkwashing.” Wrong I saw your request on HARO to speak with a PR pro about “pinkwashing.” Let’s chat! Here’s my contact info.
  83. 2KEY MESSAGES 1EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR NEXT

    INTERVIEW 3COMFORTABLE ANSWERS TO UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTIONS 4CLIPS 5MOCK INTERVIEWS
  84. SER

  85. Good Slow. what you say We apologize for the inconvenience,

    and thank you for your patience. Bad We were too slow to spot this and too slow to act.
  86. 3COMFORTABLE ANSWERS TO UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTIONS 2KEY MESSAGES 1EVERYTHING YOU NEED

    TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW 4CLIPS 5MOCK INTERVIEWS
  87. 4CLIPS 3COMFORTABLE ANSWERS TO UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTIONS 2KEY MESSAGES 1EVERYTHING YOU

    NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW 5MOCK INTERVIEWS
  88. 4CLIPS 3COMFORTABLE ANSWERS TO UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTIONS 2KEY MESSAGES 1EVERYTHING YOU

    NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW 5MOCK INTERVIEWS