Michigan Tech faculty, staff, and students are often contacted by journalists seeking expert perspectives, research insights, and commentary on current events. University Marketing and Communications (UMC) also regularly connects reporters with university experts to support media interviews and story opportunities.
Getting Started
If you receive a media inquiry directly, or if a member of our team contacts you about a media opportunity, we encourage you to reach out to UMC for assistance.
Our team can help:
- Coordinate interview requests
- Provide background about the reporter or media outlet
- Assist with scheduling
- Help you prepare key messages
- Provide interview preperation and guidance
Whether you receive an inquiry directly or through UMC, we're here to help make the process as smooth as possible.
Preparing for an Interview
A little preperation can help ensure your expertise is communicated clearly and accurately.
Before speaking with a reporter:
- Understand the topic and purpose of the interview
- Confirm the reporter's deadline
Tips for Broadcast Media
- For television interviews, wear solid-color clothing and avoid jewelry.
- Screen out extraneous noises and avoid nervous habits (such as pen tapping).
- Pause briefly before answering a question.
- In interviews that are going to be edited, not live, it's okay to start over again if you don't like the way you worded your answer. Most interviews are edited. That’s why 20 minutes with the reporter turns into 20 seconds on TV.
After the Interview
- Ask to be identified as being affiliated with Michigan Technological University (if they say the institution’s name is too long, tell them to say Michigan Tech).
- If you misspoke or gave incorrect information, call the reporter as soon as possible and let him or her know.
- Give positive feedback to reporters if you can, after a story appears.
- Call us at 906-487-1777 or 906-487-2343 to let us know when you've done an interview, so that we can track down clippings or tapes of your story. If you have a clipping or tape, please share a copy with us.