Successful media interviews require follow up. What you do after the interview can be as important as what you do in preparation for the interview.

Following are 7 tips to follow after the last question is answered:

1. Offer to be available for any follow up that is needed: As you complete the interview, tell the report or producer that you will be available if they have any further questions or need further information or additional resources.
2. Say thank you often: Say thank you when the interview is completed. Then send a personal note - email is good but snail mail is better. Reporters work hard and get little appreciation. Use this opportunity to differentiate yourself from your competitors by letting reporters know that you appreciate them.
3. Fulfill promises made during the interview: If you offered to provide a resource during the interview, get that information to the reporter as quickly as you can. Reporters work under deadlines and your timely follow up will be greatly appreciated.
4. Critique your interview: Did you deliver your messages clearly, concisely and confidently? Are there things that you want to change before the next interview? I have found it is best to do a quick review immediately after an interview while everything is fresh on your mind. It also is a good idea to have an objective observer critique your performance as well. A coach or mentor can serve as a sounding and review board for you in developing a strong media platform.
5. Be patient: If the interview does not run in a reasonable time, you may contact the reporter to see if there is anything else that you need to provide. But remember that there is no guarantee if or when the story will run. So beware of pushing for a commitment on when the story will appear.
6. Move on to the next media opportunity: Make adjustments in your interview strategy and move onto the next interview. The more often you conduct interviews, the better you will perform.
7. After the story runs: Pull clips of your interview to use for future marketing efforts.

Leading experts and media spokespersons routinely use these follow up strategies every media opportunity.