Guess the good thing is that the experience got you thinking. I know there are folks who are contacted from time to time based on a blog post or other exposure, so I thought that thinking about it in advance would help.

But, you’re right – you need some advance notice!

The first time I was ever quoted, I was sitting in an office building’s food court eating lunch. A reporter sat down and asked me if I had watched a controversial TV program, and if so, would I tell him what I thought.

I gave him what I thought was a very thoughtful answer. Somewhere in what I said, I used the word awesome in its traditional meaning. When the article was published, the reporter quoted me as saying “It was awesome!” and that was about all.

It took me quite a while to live that one down!!

The second interview for the paper was literally just a reporter “drive by” in the convention hall. Lesson #4 was learned the hard way, but hope my bad experience will help somebody else, which is why I shared it (in spite of my embarassment!).

I do think that if one anticipates these situations on a regular basis, then joining Toastmasters or some other speaking organization or class would be helpful. I’m looking into myself.

Thanks for expanding the conversation. I think it’s one worth addressing with the media “circling the wagons” of our industry right now.