Before I kick this off, let me start by clarifying that this is not a blanket statement on all reporters. I’ve worked with many talented, professional and highly respectable journalists whose work I very much admire. To be honest, I don’t have any nightmare stories from my time in media relations. But through the hustle of working with the media, there are a few cringey things that stick out to me the most.

What I didn’t know was how much social media was going to consume my personal and professional life in the next 15 years. I didn’t account for the time and mental energy that it would take, and I couldn’t imagine the toll that it would take on my mental health. But that’s not even where it ends. Social media use can affect thoughts, feelings and sleep, causing memory loss, insecurity and depression.

So you’ve scored a media placement… Congratulations! Now is your time to prep for the interview. This is a necessary step soon after agreeing to sit down with a journalist. Here are the 10 things to remember before agreeing to go on the record with any reporter.

Social media can be a key source for building connection and loyalty with your audience.

So, hey, bear with me. This is totally new adventure for me and I’m learning as I go. My goal is to grow my skills in this industry and share some insight and tricks along the way.