You've seen countless "sound bites" on TV or heard them on radio. The reporter says something like, "Herman Snickbinder shook President Obama's hand yesterday and heard  some memorable words." And then you hear Herman's voice saying something like, "He promised me my own special bailout for my gas station."

Even though you think your chances of being interviewed for a TV or radio news story are slim to none, it could happen. You could be a witness at a downtown explosion or your new invention could get the attention of Donald Trump. You will have the chance to say something that thousands of people will hear via the media.

Here's how to handle it all like a pro (like you've been there before):

• A reporter will call you and ask if you are willing to be interviewed. (The interview may take place on the phone or live, in-person with the reporter.
• If you agree to the interview, the reporter will go into some detail about what is needed from you. (For example, in a contest you won the chance to play outfield for the New York Yankees. The reporter wants to know how you feel about that.)
• If the sound bite is for a TV news story, the reporter may actually rehearse you briefly on the question-answer routine. For a radio news story, the reporter may say, "OK. You can start talking now. The tape is running."
• When you have decided what you will say and how you will say it, keep this cardinal rule in mind: Keep it brief. In TV news, a 30-second story is a looooong story, comparatively. The same goes for radio news. Don't go into long introductions or background details. Try to choose words with "punch" and "energy", that get your point across.
• If you choose to do a long-winded ya-da-ya-da routine with the reporter, many of your immortal words will end up "on the cutting room floor". If you make your responses catchy and to the point, the reporter will be grateful and may make a mental note that you would be a good contact for other interviews.

• If you can create a "zinger" phrase (without being gross, outrageous or tasteless), you may make yourself memorable, both for the reporter and the audience. Joe the Plumber, in the recent Presidential campaign, (whether you like him or not), had a "zinger" phrase for candidate Obama that resulted in an extended 15-minutes of fame for the plumber.

My own experience in "sound bites" came unexpectedly. While living in the Canal Zone, I was interviewed several times by U.S. media regarding the proposed Canal treaty. (I was president of a civic council at the time, involved in gathering the opinions of U.S. workers in the area.)

Up to that point I had had no idea what a sound bite was or how to make one. The reporters who talked to me gave me effective instructions. I picked up on their recommended pattern and then found it easier to look at that mike in my face and say something quickly.

If you get the chance to make a sound bite, you will also hear your friends call you and say,"Hey! I saw you on TV! You were great!"  Enjoy every moment of your fame.