Interviews
Interview Guidelines
These notes are here to help Star Factory PR clients navigate both oral and written interviews smoothly and professionally.
In-Person Interviews
• Mark Your Calendar: Once you agree to an interview, add it to your calendar. Set a reminder for the morning of the event. You’ll receive a call sheet with details—keep it handy. On the day, you’ll likely get a text reminder. Respond promptly to confirm you’re ready; ignoring it may lead to unnecessary follow-ups.
​
• Set an Alarm: Set a phone alarm for 5 minutes before your interview to ensure you’re prepared and don’t miss the call.
• Review Talking Points: Go over your talking points in advance. For conventions or in-person interviews, consider printing them to share with the interviewer.
• Running Late?: If you’re delayed or need to cancel, notify Tanya and the interviewer ASAP. No-shows or last-minute cancellations without notice harm relationships and can impact future opportunities.
• Paid Bookings: If a paid booking conflicts with an interview, let us know immediately so we can inform the interviewer.
• No Shows: Missing an interview without informing us is unacceptable. If something unavoidable happens, let us know and be honest about the situation.
• Clarify Details: If you’re unsure about any part of the interview process, ask. Confirm dates, times, and whether the interviewer will call you or vice versa.
• Follow Up: If the interviewer doesn’t call on time, reach out directly using the contact details provided. If you don’t get a response, let Tanya know.
• Unreliable Interviewers: Let us know if the interviewer is unprepared or cancels last-minute so we can address it.
• Rescheduling: Don’t reschedule directly with the interviewer—leave that to us.
• Control the Conversation: Treat interviews like conversations. Guide the discussion toward your strengths and talking points.
• Handling Strange Questions: If you don’t know the answer, admit it instead of lying, which may lead to more probing. Stay focused on what you want to promote.
​
• Inappropriate Questions: Set boundaries. If uncomfortable topics arise, politely redirect the conversation. Remember, you’re in control.
• Mind the Time: At conventions or with back-to-back interviews, respect your schedule and don’t let interviews run over. Use alarms if needed.
• Present Yourself Well: Dress professionally and act respectfully—you’re representing yourself and your brand.
• Avoid One-Word Answers: Expand on your responses to keep the conversation engaging. Use questions as opportunities to promote your projects.
​
Email Interviews
• 1-Week Deadline: Complete email interviews within 7 days to keep up with deadlines and avoid piling up work. Notify us if delays occur.
​
• Use FAQs: Save answers to frequently asked questions (e.g., how you got started, favorite scenes) to reuse and save time.
• Stick to Talking Points: Use email interviews to highlight your projects and promotions.
• Avoid Short Answers: Expand on your responses to make the interview engaging and informative for your audience.
• Skip or Redirect Questions: If a question is uncomfortable or irrelevant, skip it or steer it toward a topic you want to discuss.
• Time-Sensitive Requests: Prioritize interviews marked as “urgent” or “time-sensitive.”
• Be Honest: If you’re unable or unwilling to complete an interview, let us know instead of ignoring it.
• Send Answers to Us First: We’ll review your responses to ensure you’re presented in the best light and provide links and photos for the feature.
​
For questions, contact us at Tanya@starfactorypr.com.