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How to Excel at a Televised Interview

Public relations are about communication as a whole. In order to get positive publicity out of a televised opportunity, one should consider every detail from the first to last impression.

Author: Mona Loring

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Public relations are about communication as a whole. In order to get positive publicity out of a televised opportunity, one should consider every detail from the first to last impression. The publicity’s outcome can spin in any direction-- and it all depends on the show’s viewers. Winning an audience is not just about being entertaining or informative. The guest needs to establish a bond with the host, the audience and the viewers. The situation is largely psychological.

Here are some factors that go into a good TV interview:

•You need to be yourself—and show genuine emotion. If you are acting fake, it is very likely to come through to the audience. If people see you as fake, you lose credibility and the publicity is deemed useless.
•Body language is huge. You cannot look too relaxed or stiff. Since you are usually seated on a big chair or couch, you need to make sure you don’t lurch or fall too far back. Sit up straight but facing slightly forward. It helps keep you alert and you look more relaxed.
•Cross your legs at the knee and not the ankle.
•Speak clearly and use laymen’s terms. Don’t expect your audience or even your host to know as much about your topic as you do. Using specific terminology will not make you look respectable—you can lose your audience.
•Eye contact is crucial when you are on television. It can get confusing when you’re around so many cameras, so you should always look into the eyes of the person you’re talking to at the moment.
•If you use gestures when speaking, practicing speaking while keeping your movements below your chest level. It is distracting to watch someone gesture to high up towards their face.
•If the discussion is boring, consider adding a bit of controversy in what you say. Be bold and take a position.
•Make sure that you know what you are taking about-- if you get stuck with a question you don’t have the answer to, lead into another subject by saying, “I am not too sure about that but I do know that…” Then lead into something you want to promote.
•Find out about the show’s topic. Be sure to have a clear understanding about the topic at hand. Whether it is about your band’s new record, your book’s new tour or your new movie—you should know some details.
•If possible, be sure to show your lighter side at least once or twice through humor or words of kindness. A good time to do so is at the end of the interview. The impression sticks with the audience.
•Remember to smile once in a while.
•Shake the host’s hand. Sometimes people forget.
•Practice makes perfect. Go over some notes and speak out loud as often as you can about the subject to prepare for the interview.
•Thank them for having you.

Copyright 2006 Mona Loring

About Author

Mona Loring is the president of M. Loring Communications. MLC PR offers public relations services to the entertainment, business and literary industries.

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How to Excel at a Televised Interview