# Prepare key messages and tough answers for a media interview

Key messages, proof points, tough-question answers, and bridging lines so an executive stays on message with a journalist.

- Topic: Presentations & Public Speaking
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Communication, Writing, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/prepare-key-messages-and-tough-answers-for-a-media-interview

## Prompt

```text
Help me prepare for a media interview.

**Outlet, journalist, and format:** [e.g. "trade podcast, 30 minutes, live" or "business newspaper, phone, on the record"]
**Topic and why they're covering it:** [THE ANGLE as I understand it]
**What I want readers or listeners to take away:** [1-3 MESSAGES]
**Proof points I can share:** [CONFIRMED numbers, customer stories with permission, milestones]
**Topics I can't discuss:** [e.g. "fundraising", "a lawsuit", "unannounced products"]
**Sensitive issues that might come up:** [e.g. "recent layoffs", "a competitor's claims"]

Prepare:
1. A message house: one headline message and three supporting messages, each with a proof point and a short story or example.
2. Three quotable lines (under 20 words each) that sound like a person, not a press release.
3. The 12 toughest questions this journalist could ask, with a short, honest answer for each.
4. Bridging lines to move from a difficult question back to my messages without dodging.
5. How to handle "off the record", hypotheticals, "would you rule out...", and questions about competitors or rumors.
6. Things never to say: speculation, unconfirmed numbers, "no comment" (and what to say instead).
7. A 5-minute warm-up drill: questions to practice out loud.

Use only the facts I've provided. If anything touches legal matters or material non-public information, flag that I should check with counsel or my comms lead first.
```

## What to fill in

- THE ANGLE as I understand it
- e.g. "fundraising", "a lawsuit", "unannounced products"
- e.g. "recent layoffs", "a competitor's claims"

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