It can be daunting to appear on screen whether that be via webcam or in a TV studio environment. However, TV interviews are a great way to convey expertise and insights to a broad audience. It also enhances credibility, helping people differentiate themselves in the industry.

Here are some tips for taking part in a TV interview:

Understand the purpose of the interview 

Ensure you know what will be discussed in the interview and what key information and soundbites you will need. Your answers should be succinct and sound well thought out, so research and preparation beforehand is key. Do some further research on what is also currently trending regarding your topic, so you are informed on what is going on and can introduce examples that are relevant. 

Research the show and host 

Watch previous episodes to understand the tone and pacing of past interviews. This also helps understand the hosts’ interview style and the type of questions they ask, whether they will be casual, probing, or formal. Not every TV interview will be the same, so knowing the style that the interview will be conducted, and its key audience, will help in preparing. 

Craft your key messages 

Identify the main points you want your audience to take away so that you will be able to weave it into your responses during the interview. Make sure it is clear, concise, and simple to understand, avoiding jargon and using storytelling to get the message across to the audience.

Be aware of your appearance

Dressing appropriately and looking professional is important and will influence the way an audience perceives you on screen. Usually you would wear business-like attire. Avoid highly patterned and busy designs for clothes and ties, opt for solid colours and avoid all white ensembles. 

Rehearse your delivery

It is important to be aware of the pace of your speaking, and to practice your ‘listening face’ and body language before the interview so you are well prepared. A TV interview is not just about what you say, but how you say it and present yourself. Body language can say a lot about how knowledgeable you are on a subject and without confidence, key messages can come across as uncertain. Recording yourself beforehand can help you practice how you will look on TV and take note of behaviour that you might be doing that you did not even notice. 

When online

Sometimes you may have to video call in for a TV interview, so it is important to be aware of your camera angle, making sure your background is professional and plain, and that there is minimal noise to disrupt the interview. 

Engage with the audience

Don’t spend time thinking about the TV camera and lights, or what other people in the studio are doing, but focus on the conversation you are having with your interviewer and keep your attention on them. Speak with enthusiasm and energy to connect to viewers, without having overly scripted responses – authenticity resonates with audiences.

And finally, remember that if the interview is live, there’s no opportunity to for a second take, so prepare as much as possible in advance, think about your responses to each answer, remember your bridging techniques and don’t get pushed into saying something you don’t want to say.