The phone rings. It’s the news. Shoot. My hair looks terrible. I don’t know what to say. And what I do say will be seared onto a tape to be edited at someone else’s discretion.
Pretty spot on, right? But as nervous as you may get at the prospect of doing an interview, it’s not like you’re going to pass out, or respond with something totally random.
The more you watch this, the funnier it gets. Not only was the kid’s response completely off-the-wall, the reporter had no idea what to do with it. So take heart. Your interview will turn out better than this.
Once the camera starts rolling, be yourself. That’s the number one suggestion I give interviewees on what to do during an interview. For the sake of specifics, here are some other suggestions.
Tell your story
- Use anecdotes. People remember stories much longer than they remember facts. Think about it — long before alphabets were created, history and ideas were passed from generation to generation through stories. If you’re with a non-profit, tell the stories of people’s lives that have been changed because of you.
- Avoid one-word answers. The point of an interview is to get information. Even if the reporter asks a question that merits a one-word answer, you can help yourself and them by expounding.
- Get to the point. Most TV stories last between 45 seconds and two minutes, so don’t feel like you have to weave an elaborate explanation. Plus, in a live interview, you’ll run out of time to get to other points.
- Stay friendly. If a reporter seems hostile, be friendly back. It’s very likely their question is something viewers are wondering, too. This is your chance to answer on your terms. Viewers will admire your composure.
Good to know
- Always look at the reporter, not the camera. Even if the reporter isn’t on camera, viewers know you’re talking to someone there in the room. If you look straight into the camera, it makes viewers feel like you’re staring. Into their soul. That’s creepy.
- Be natural with your hands. If you naturally talk with your hands, no need to stop now! If you need to, hold a pen or pencil until you’re comfortable.
- Live versus taped. Live interviews go on the air exactly as they happen. Taped interviews are edited down to the best sound bites. In a taped interview, you can stop and restart if you need to.
- Ladies, don’t be afraid to apply your makeup 50% heavier than normal. It won’t look that way on TV. And guys, you might consider powdering your nose and forehead. That shiny spot you don’t know you have will show up on camera.
All these tips, and those I covered in Part 1, are tested and true. But the truth is practice is far better than advice. When I conducted media trainings for Foundation Communities, the best part was turning on a camera (compliments of X Horn Productions) and giving it a try. Yes, the employees took notes during the first half of the training, but it’s an entirely different learning curve to go from page to practice. Playing the interviews back gave employees a chance to see how they did. Some discovered nervous habits they didn’t know they had, or, most often, that they’re not half bad afterall.
What might you learn about your interview skills? If your company is interested in hosting a media training, feel free to contact me.
3 Comments
3:44 pm
Ha ha ha! Thanks a lot – now next interview I do, I’ll be thinking, “I like turtles!”
3:53 pm
Oh that poor kid! How have I never known about the “I like turtles” kid? There are tons of spoofs on You Tube. What an odd, yet wonderfully fun medium You Tube is, huh?
7:15 pm
Next interview. I triple dog dare you. You’d crack a small cult following up, confuse most, and maybe get fired. But the dare still stands.:)