Whenever you see or hear someone say something that comes back to bite them, there’s a good chance the gaffe could have been avoided by undergoing media training prior to the interview.

Media training helps agencies and their clients learn how to take control of an interview and effectively deliver key messages.

In an age of sound bite communications, companies need articulate spokespersons that are prepared to deal with the unexpected and can deliver clear, concise and consistent messages to a variety of audiences. How well you communicate, and the degree of credibility you maintain with important audiences, will likely affect your company’s image for months or even years to come.

Practicing answers to difficult questions before an interview can be extremely helpful in formulating proper responses and avoiding saying something you’ll regret later. Media training also helps identify key issues, recognize public relations pitfalls and enables you to make the most of opportunities to promote your product or service.

It’s worth the time to properly prepare for an interview – otherwise, you might end up spending a lot more time trying to undo the damage.

Don Beehler provides public relations consulting services to small- and medium-sized advertising agencies and businesses.