I met this week with famed legal humorist Malcolm Kushner at an Inner Richmond cafe. In between some brilliant stuff and a few groaners, I managed to wrangle some serious advice from him. Malcolm Kushner: The Legal Industry's Funny Man While we’ve cautioned against using humor in forward-facing marketing content or at a press conference, humor can be a speech-saving element in a presentation or address where you can visibly connect with your audience. Kushner, who has publish

When reporters are on deadline, they want two things: No. 2: A great source. No. 1: A great source who understands their needs and the media in general. Here’s a checklist for how to be that person. Gather the Basics Write down the reporter's name, media outlet, phone number, and story deadline. Ask what the story is about and how the interview will be used. If it’s a TV or radio reporter, inquire about the interview format (live, taped, etc.). If you're not the best expert,

Video is a different animal. Editing may not always be an option in a live forum and you probably won’t get final cut. The good news is that you can train yourself to ace a video interview pretty easily. Begin by watching the PBS Newshour. Watch how long commentators are given to speak, watch how they answer questions, and watch how they bring the conversation back to the points they want to stress, regardless of the question. Practice in front of a friend or colleague before