Nervous about your first TV interview? Use these 5 tips to prepare yourself

Thursday October 12, 2017 , 3 min Read

Have you been trying to secure a TV interview for quite some time? Has all your hard work of pitching to journalists finally borne fruit? If yes, you need to prepare yourself for your upcoming TV interview. Before we get into the details, ask yourself what it is that you want to achieve out of this interview. Do you want exposure for your business, or do you want to put a malicious rumour about your business to rest? Whatever your motive may be, make sure you are armed with answers to the predictable questions as well as any uncomfortable questions that are thrown your way.

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Here are a few tips to help you ace your very first TV interview:

Pick a smart outfit

You don't want to over- or under-dress for your first appearance on television. Therefore, the colourful checkered dress you purchased recently is not a good option. Patterns render oddly on screen and take away attention from what you are saying. You cannot go wrong with a white shirt or a pastel dress. Keep accessories to a minimum. Your goal should be to look presentable on screen without going overboard.

Make a list of things you don't want to talk about

It is obvious that you will prepare the main points that you want to cover in your interview. However, you also need to prepare a list of the things that you don't want to share on television so you aren't trapped into answering a question you didn't anticipate. If you're asked a question you don't want to answer, find a way to switch back to topics you want to discuss.

Be mindful of your body language

Since it is your first TV interview, you are likely to be nervous and sit on the edge of your seat, but strive not to let your nervousness show. Maintain eye contact with your interviewer and avoid glancing at the crew. Don't fidget and keep your hand gestures to a minimum. Make it a point to smile when you talk, but don't come across as creepy.

Speak slowly and clearly

People tend to speed up their speech whenever they are excited or nervous. Sometimes, when you talk too fast, people can't understand what you are saying. This inadvertently defeats the entire purpose of your interview. If you think you're speaking a mile a minute, pause, take a breath, and respond clearly.

Forget you have an audience

Does the idea of millions of people watching you on television paralyze you? Don't worry. You're not alone. Avoid thinking about all the people that have their eyes trained on you. Instead, focus on the fact that this interview is about you and getting your message across. When you ignore the presence of a live audience, you feel less pressured to perform well.

It's important to be yourself while you're on camera. Pay heed to the above-mentioned five tips before you head into the studio for your first TV interview.

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