Survivor Media Training | Webinar Replay
July 2, 2025
Watch Full Webinar Here: https://www.efsurvivors.net/expert-resources
What’s the Goal of a Media Interview?
A media interview is a two-way exchange:
Your goal: Share your personal story or message clearly and confidently, ideally connecting it to a broader issue or cause.
The interviewer’s goal: Gather a compelling narrative or soundbite that fits their coverage.
If You’re Contacted for an Interview
Assess your readiness:
Know who is asking and why.
Consider your emotional readiness. You are never obligated to participate.
Reach out to EFSN:
Email hello@efsurvivors.net
We can provide guidance, media training, and help you feel prepared and safe.
How to Prepare
Plan your message:
Media segments are often very short, 1-3 minutes.
Write a roughly 400-word draft of what you want to say. You can leverage ChatGPT to help you.
Identify your main takeaway and how your story fits into a broader issue.
Ask yourself:
What happened?
How did it impact you or your family?
What change do you want to see?
Choose your words carefully: Each sentence should serve a purpose. Be clear, concise, and intentional.
Practice out loud:
Rehearse in front of a mirror, friends, or family.
Record yourself to review tone, pacing, and clarity.
Aim for a confident, conversational voice.
During the Interview
Stay engaged: Appear focused, even when not speaking.
Always assume you’re on the record: Even social media posts can be quoted.
Stick to your message: No matter the question, bring your answer back to your core points.
Key Communication Techniques
Flagging
Use strong phrasing to emphasize key points. Examples:
“The most important thing is…”
“If there’s one takeaway, it’s…”
“We really want to highlight…”
Pivoting
Redirect tough or off-topic questions back to your message:
“That’s an important issue, but what I want to focus on is…”
“I can’t speculate, but I can share that…”
It’s always okay to say, “I don’t know.”
Common Challenges in Interviews
Leading Questions: These are worded to suggest a specific answer. Gently steer back to your message.
Multiple Questions: Pick one part to respond to clearly.
Hypothetical Questions: Bring the conversation back to real experiences and facts. Never repeat harmful or inaccurate phrasing.
The 4-Step Response Strategy
Listen to the full question.
Pause to gather your thoughts.
Respond with intention.
Stop talking once your point is made.
Resources Discussed
EFSN Survivor Media Corps
Join the Corps to get media training, peer support, and help sharing your story with impact. Over 250 stories have featured Corps members.
