Be a Voice for Small Business
Being a media spokesperson is not for everyone. It is, however, a great opportunity to help NFIB educate reporters, voters, and policymakers. NFIB routinely receives requests from reporters who want to help their readers understand how public policies affect small businesses. They often ask to speak with a small business owner.
If you are interested in speaking with the media, NFIB’s media team can coordinate the interviews and help prepare you with briefing materials and practice sessions.
Here are some tips for speaking to a reporter:
- Prepare and Practice: do your research and practice your lines before an interview
- Be Conversational: you don’t need to sound like a college professor. Tell your story clearly and speak to the reporter the way you talk to anyone else.
- Relax: most reporters just want to understand the issue from your perspective. They are not trying to trip you up.
- Be direct: avoid long-winded answers and say what you want in a few words.
- If you don’t know the answer, say so: there is nothing wrong with admitting you don’t know an answer. Tell the reporter you will get back to them with an answer and then follow-up on that promise. NFIB can help you find the answer or supply information. You can also find more information on NFIB’s Engage App.
- Reference your membership: tell the reporter you are a member of NFIB.
If you are interested in speaking to the media, or if you have questions, contact Grassroots Manager Margaret Parsons at 717-232-8582 x 5 or [email protected].
