5 TIPS TO PREPARE FOR A TV INTERVIEW
Over the past 16+ years, I have pretty much lived life on stages. Beginning my career as a magician, then going on to be a speaker and now working in the PR space, I’ve had years and years of experience behind cameras and learning the ins and outs of how it all works. During this time, I learned what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to getting interviewed on a TV show. There’s a lot of pressure behind it, as many TV appearances are done live or in front of huge audiences, so messing up is not an option. Now that I help others get booked for interviews, I’m always asked what kind of advice I can give those who are going live for the first time. So down below I wanted to share with you 5 tips to prepare for a TV interview.
1. PRACTICE GETTING INTERVIEWED
The first step to preparing for your big day at the studio is to practice getting interviewed. Start by picking the outfit that you will be wearing, then set up your phone camera in front of a chair, couch, or table. You will need to practice your posture as you sit in front of the camera. Most people don’t realize how awkward they look in front of a camera until they actually look back at the footage. Pay attention to how you sit, how you’re crossing your legs, where you’re putting your hands, what your facial expressions look like, and if your outfit looks good in the position you’re sitting. You may realize you need to unbutton your jacket, sit up straighter, or reposition your legs so that you don’t look awkward. Then keep practicing your ideal position and expressions until it comes natural to you.
2. GET SOME REST
The next thing to remember before your interview is to get some rest the night before. Under no circumstance should you go out drinking or partying before your big day. When you get up in the morning, you need your body, face, and mind to be refreshed and look amazing. Getting some good quality sleep the night before is one of the best ways to make sure your mind is sharp, your face looks great, and your voice is clear in front of the camera.
3. GET SOME MOVEMENT IN
After waking up from a good night of rest, you should get some exercise in before you get to the studio. Exercise is a great way to get your blood pumping, your body comfortable, and your mind sharp. Studies have shown that exercise can help reduce anxiety and low self-esteem, neither of which you want to be dealing with the morning of your big day. When the show host asks you a question, it’s important that your mind is sharp and not lagging as you respond. Getting some good movement after waking up is a great way to ensure you stay on top of things and that your thoughts are not foggy.
4. START SPEAKING TO YOURSELF
This tip may sound like a strange one to some, but something that I’ve learned from being a speaker is that in addition to exercising your body, you need to exercise your voice as well. The last thing you want to happen is to show up with your morning voice to your interview. So after waking up and getting some exercise in, start speaking to yourself. Get your vocal chords warmed up and ready to speak confidently, and start practicing your answers. Pretend that you’re already being interviewed and start to answer the questions so that you have your responses memorized.
5. LEAVE THE HOUSE EARLY
My final tip is to leave for your interview at least twenty minutes earlier than you need to be at the studio. You never know what might happen on the way there. Your driver might be late, there might be a car accident ahead of you, construction might be causing traffic, or you might simply be running late because things simply took longer than you planned for. Plan ahead and get to the studio early rather than risk being late. If you ignore this one tip and arrive later than told to, chances are you won’t get to make up for it unless you rebook for another day. The stress of running late isn’t something that is worth risking.
TV IS NO JOKE – YOU NEED TO BE READY FOR IT
There are no do-overs when it comes to TV. There's a strict schedule to stick to, and most often morning show interviews on TV are done live as-is. There is no room to mess up, fix wardrobe malfunctions, or repeat questions, which makes these situations very high pressure. It’s important to stay on top of the game. So take these tips and implement the next time you are getting ready for an interview on TV.
PS. How exactly do you get featured on TV? If you’re looking to get booked, just schedule a call with me here, let’s have a conversation, and then do it for you!
