I had my second TV interview of the year on BEN TV Lifestyle Show SKY 182 on the 10th May. (My first was on Spanish TV. ) It was great to be interviewed by Pam Joseph who hosts the Lifestyle show, as she really understood the message of Rocking Your Role and what it is trying to achieve for families.
That same evening I was asked to be the expert for a tweet chat on Female Breadwinners, hosted by the Family Matters supplement at the Voice Newspaper, which featured my working Mum tips
The tweet chat went well, it was just a shame that my responses were limited to 140 characters, as there was so much to say. You can see a summary of the chat here
During that week, I was also a guest on Roberto Perrone’s Business Show on Three Counties Radio, so it was a busy one.
I have found that I feel most comfortable on TV, than the other forms of media. I like the fact that I can use my whole body to express myself, not just my voice and enjoy that it feels like more of an informal chat. I have also been fortunate enough to be interviewed by highly skilled presenters.
From my experience, here are my tops tips for being interviewed on TV:
- Arrive early, the interviewer may want to go over questions with you. You may need to go into make up or they may need to test the sound and lighting and you don’t want to arrive late and flustered.
- Know your stuff, you wont be able to take notes in with you, so memorise anything that you really want to say.
- Plan, think of a maximum of three key points that you’d like to get across and practice how you’d like to say them, so that they roll off the tongue in your interview.
- Forget the camera crew, when you are being interviewed just focus on the interviewer, as if you are having a cosy chat. This looks more natural and also means you have less to think about.
- Be yourself, breath and relax and let your personality come through, that’s who the audience will connect with.
- Wear something you feel good in, the advice is to not to wear loud patterns, solid black or white and any jewellery that makes a noise. I would add that when you feel good in your clothing it shows, so wear something comfortable and flattering that conveys your personality.
- Say thank you, there are many people who would like to be on TV, if you have been chosen you should be appreciative. At the very least say thank you and perhaps offer a token of appreciation if you can. I have given my interviewers a copy of my book. You never know you might be invited back.
I am Jenny Garrett, Executive Coach, founder of Reflexion Associates, a leadership and coaching consultancy and author or Rocking Your Role – the how to guide to success for female breadwinners. Book your Rocking & Shocking Session with me now.