Six TV interview tips

You’ve landed a TV interview and, let’s face it, the thought of it makes you nervous. Maybe it’s your first time on camera or maybe it’s not. How can you land that interview with confidence?

Here are six tips to rock TV interviews:

1. Know your messages. Boil what you have to say down to one single message that you want to come across in the interview. Be prepared with up to three supporting messages. Know these inside and out. TV interviews are always note-free.

Remember that reporters have a little bit of knowledge about a whole lot of things so they likely do not have the depth in your field that you do. Remember to keep your responses simple and easy to understand.

2. Anticipate questions. Think about what the reporter may ask and plan for your responses ahead of time. Think of a response to the “why” question: Why should the audience care about this issue? Also anticipate odd-ball questions. You don’t want the reporter to catch you off guard.

3. Practice, practice, practice. There is no such thing as “winging” a TV interview and coming off like a success. Ask a staff member to play the role of the interviewer. The more you practice, the more natural your responses will be.

4. Stop talking. Allow for the pregnant pause. Stick to your messages. Stop when you have answered the question and wait for the reporter to ask the next one.

5. Use confident body language. Even if you are nervous inside, make sure your body language communicates confidence. If you are sitting down, sit with your shoulders back on the front third of the chair. If you’re standing, have one foot slightly in front of the other with weight primarily on your back foot. Whatever you do, don’t sway. (Small movements seem like large movements on camera.)

6. Don’t focus on the camera. Let the photographer worry about the camera. Focus on the reporter and the videographer will make sure you’re in the best position for the interview. Unless you are doing a live, single-camera interview – such as an interview on a political news show – do not look directly into the camera.

Need more help preparing for a TV interview? I can help.

Hi, I'm Allison Sit, TV reporter turned PR consultant. I help motivated small business owners gain visibility and media exposure for their companies.

Follow me on Instagram at @allisonsitpr.