TV Publicity Tips:
Keeping Your Cool On-Camera
By
Recently I was invited to do a television interview on “Happy Hour” that airs on the FOX Business Channel. It was my second TV appearance on the show, and the third time I’d had the pleasure of appearing on air with host Rebecca Diamond - so I was looking forward to the interview.
Things were pretty energetic behind the scenes as the anticipated breaking news of the hour centered around the economic stimulus plan. As is usual with live TV, the topics and angles changed by the minute. Originally I was booked to discuss what people should be doing with their 401k’s as the market takes their money for a ride.
Then the topic changed to how “main street” feels about essentially another bail out of Wall Street. Then before I could gather all the comments that were coming to me from the post I made on Twitter, the segment focus went back to 401ks - such is life in the world of live TV.
Although I’d provided my talking points for the 401k tips to the producer in advance and we’d gone over how the segment was going to flow, I was also prepared for the need to be flexible enough to switch mid-stream if things changed at the last minute or didn’t go according to plan.
While I didn’t get to deliver all the points I’d prepared to share, I was able to keep my cool on-camera and remember some fundamental tips for being a great TV guest while rising to the occasion of being on live TV.
Watch the segment and see if you agree.
You will inevitably have many moments in the spotlight and not all of them will go as planned, however here are a few tips for keeping your cool on-camera:
1. Know what you will and won’t say on a subject
As a Financial Fitness Coach my mission is to educate and empower, however I do not give blanket advice as it relates to stocks because (a) I am not certified to do so and (b) I don’t believe that it actually supports the viewer to act on generic advice without knowing their specific financial history.
No matter what your area of expertise you need to know your core beliefs and determine in advance exactly how much you are willing to comment on a particular aspect of a subject. Additionally you have to know how you will address the topic in a way that validates the viewers and provides the host an opportunity to avoid an awkward on-camera moment.
2. Communicate confidence without speaking
A relaxed brow, open hands, and direct eye contact are all ways to allow your body language to do the talking for you. These non-verbal signs will convey that you are assured, authoritative, and confident.
One way to keep your cool on-camera is to be mindful of your body language. Tension in any part of your face, too much movement of the hands, and failure to make eye contact tends to communicate anxiety, discomfort, or even a lack of confidence.
3. Be flexible but remain in control
What makes you a great TV guest that will get asked back for repeat television interviews is your ability to “own” the segment. To the best of your ability you are there to get your message out clearly, quickly and concisely in the amount of time you have allotted for the segment.
That means you’ll have to be present to what the host is saying so you can balance between being conversational (i.e. answering a follow-up question or expanding on a point) and providing content (i.e. sticking to your pre-written talking points.)
4. You are a professional - act like it
One final tip about keeping your cool on-camera is to go into the TV appearance with the understanding that you may not have the opportunity to introduce every point you planned to make. That’s OK as long as you don’t try to force your point, or squeeze in information that there is obviously no time for. It makes the the host uncomfortable and you look bad.
The media is always in motion and you really have to be open to riding the waves as they come. However, you can increase your odds of being invited back as a TV guest expert and using the power of TV publicity to build your credibility, and attract new clients when you keep your cool on-camera by following these few tips.
See YOU on TV!
BY the way…if you have a question about getting TV Publicity, ask me now at http://www.AskSanyika.com