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Interview Tips for Different Media
Contents
Broadcast
Don't Memorize
Don't memorize what you want to say, Cramming and memorizing too much can make you look mechanical. Go over the main points you would like the story to include. You need to have a central theme, and three (no more) ideas which support it. You can use a note with one word reminders for each point you want to make.Time limits
A Broadcast interview (TV or Radio) might last 10-20 minutes, out of which 20-30 seconds maximum will be used, and this only if you have several sound bites. Each sound bite: about 10 seconds. Unless it is a 30 minute talk show you have to condense drastically. You can practice condensing on the fly on some other complex topics. Pick one, jot out the points and try to make each of them in 12 seconds or less. There are techniques to condense your answers to get more information in the allotted time. For example, if you are asked a yes/no question, you should also explain why, since it is likely you are going to be asked anyway. It saves time answering right away. In some cases if you repeat the question in your answer, only your answer may be included and the question dropped, which again saves time.Voice and Attitude
Although the audience is large, broadcast is intimate. Some interviewees talk loud in an attempt to reach the large audience, but this is not needed. Consider that listers sit close the TV or radio, and are usually by themselves. Let the news crew worry about the volume. On the other hand speaking too softly or hesitantly projects insecurity, so you have to find some middle ground. Imagine that you are in your living room, and the reporter is somebody you know well. This will project an image which is more accessible. An energetic presentation, shows that you believe what you are saying. It is like a salesmen who believe is the product.Content
The broadcast reporter doesn't want many details, or logical step-by-step reasoning, there is no time. Use short simple sentences. Let your emotions show. Use analogies and perspective instead of detail. Don't use phrases which force order on what you say: "First of all", "firstly, secondly, thirdly", "As I said before", these phrases make editing very difficult, and might force good material to be thrown away just because it cannot be tied together logically in the final edited tape.More TV-specific Tips
Make the interview at least four hours before the newscast, so there isn't much pressure against a deadline. If you suggest a place for the interview, choose a place that is comfortable to you, however, the final decision is up to the news crew. If the reporter doesn't introduce the other crew members, introduce yourself to them. The photographer has the power to make you look ugly. In TV, after the interview is shot, they might want to shoot "Reverse questions": shooting the reporter asking the questions. Check that the questions asked in this phase are the same as you have been asked in the interview. For example, by recording the interview.Body Language, Appearence, and Voice
The camera and microphone are eavesdroppers, not participants in your dialogue with the reporter. Look to the reporter, not the camera. Look at the reporters eye which is nearest to the camera. Some people slouch when sitting down. If you are like that, and if it is possible, you could do the interview standing up. Don't lean back in the chair. Leaning forward communicates energy. Try sitting on the edge of the seat with one leg extended. It straightens you up. Clothes should be plain solid colors. Subdued clothing. On TV time seems stretched out. Five seconds seem like a minute. So you need to talk differently to inject energy. If you can, practice with a video camera.Phone Interviews
A phone interview could be for radio, or for a newspaper. During a telephone interview, it might be a good idea to stand up. This keeps some people more alert. If you are doing a phone interview you game plan in front of you, so you can refer to it quickly. It also provides an additional sense of security.EverDawn
