We have a client that is going to be interviewed today for the most prominent broadcast news magazine in the U.S. (We’ll boast about it here once the episode is locked and ready to air!) In helping our client’s executives prepare for their television interviews, we put together a myriad of documents including a backgrounder on the show, overview of the segment, bios on the hosts and producer, key messaging documents on the company and products, sample questions and answers and on camera interview tips.
All of the information that we prepared for them gives them an arsenal of powerful tools to work with, but in the end, they will face the camera alone and will have to perform. The ‘net-net’ of all of our preparation comes down to the 5 Cs of broadcast interviews: Conviction, Conversation, Composure, Confidence and Color
1. Conviction – Bring your passion to the table. If you have strong beliefs, opinions and points of view it can help build your credibility and sway public opinion.
2. Conversation – A broadcast interview is a conversation with the host or producer, that is filmed on camera. This is a one on one conversation and not a speech. Keep the language simple and conversational so that everyone can understand it. Focus on your dialogue with the people in the room, not the ‘audience’ at home.
3. Composure – By preparing yourself well before an interview, it can help calm your nerves. Just like when you’ve studied for a test, you can stay focused and relaxed to complete the exam, question by question. Nervousness and jitters can be misinterpreted on camera. Even worse, getting angry or defensive can hurt your credibility.
4. Confidence – Confidence can be infectious. When someone is confident, people gravitate towards them and have faith in their abilities and opinions. It’s important not to cross the line into being cocky, which can put people off. It is best to be confident, yet humble.
5. Color – Add ‘pictures’ to your descriptions. Use colorful examples to illustrate your point or describe an action or function. Give good quote – it is often the quirky comments that are remembered most.
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