Hi Reader -

When a reporter asks you - “Do you have anything else to add?” - as a final question in an interview, never, ever say no.

Your interview probably covered a lot of ground. This is a genuine question from the reporter to be sure they didn’t miss anything. It’s also a key opportunity for you to reinforce your main message point.

Say it…and say it again.

You most likely made your main point throughout the interview, but in the context of other information. Repeating your main point is an important “green flag” for a reporter that this is information they should pay attention to.

Another quote opportunity.

You - as the interviewee - don’t have control over which quotes a reporter uses for their story. “Do you have anything else to add?” is your opportunity to give a very clear quote to the reporters.

I’ve done interviews where the reporter asked questions in a way I didn’t anticipate, and I felt that I wasn’t framing up my answers in a way that was really quotable. This final question is a really nice freebie to focus on the point you want to make and a chance to give them a solid quote for their story.

Someone else might edit the final news story.

At TV or radio stations, the editor working on the story only sees (or hears) what is on tape. They most likely don’t know anything about you or the issues discussed in the interview. For instance, they weren’t there for the informal pre-interview chit chat you had with the reporter as they were setting up their equipment.

Repeating your main point at the end of the interview is an important signal to the editor that this is important information.

So, how do you answer the question?

When a reporter asks "Do you have anything else to add?” here’s how to make the most of that moment.

First - pause and signal. Take a beat to think about your most important point. You don’t want to rush and jumble your words. Say “I’d like to go back to a point I made earlier.”

And then - say it. Imagine the quote you’d like at the top of the story and then clearly and directly state your main message point.

“Do you have anything else to add?” isn’t a throw away question. This is the moment in your interview to bring your main point home to a reporter.
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If you’re looking for more help in working with reporters, here are a few articles on my website:

​The phone just rang. It's a reporter. Now what? A quick prep checklist for your next media interview.​

​How Nonprofits Can Build Relationships with Reporters and Get More Media Coverage​

​Three terms reporters use that you need to know: What on the record, off the record, and background really mean.​

Jennifer ​Founder, Buoy 231 Consulting​

P.S. If you or your team need help learning how to work with the media, let’s chat. I work with teams, or one-on-one, to teach you how to handle media interviews with confidence, deliver your key messages clearly, and turn every media opportunity into a chance to advance your cause.

Build awareness. Mobilize your community. Change policy. ​Buoy 231 Consulting helps nonprofits build communications and advocacy campaigns that make their issues impossible to ignore. Ready to get started? Book a free call.