Following on from our piece on How to make the most of a media interview, we decided to take a look at how to prepare for a video interview – whether that’s a prime time TV slot, a tradeshow floor product piece to camera or a workplace video.
We all know the importance of good video content when it comes to brand awareness and driving people to your website, but we also know that many people simply don’t like having a camera placed in front of them and being expected to be engaging, educational and inspiring. So how can we take away the nervousness for those people? Here are our top tips:
1. Practice, practice, practice
Whether this is your first interview or your hundredth, the more you practice what you want to say and how you want to say it, the better it will come across. If it’s a product video make sure you’re clear on the benefits and USPs, you don’t want to watch the video back to realise you’ve missed out on the main selling point. For a TV interview practising a few soundbites can be useful – broadcasters will often rerun interviews so a snappy soundbite could mean you get more coverage. Practising out loud will also help you to reduce pauses and stutters.
2. Focus on your body language
If you’re sitting down make sure you’re not slouched or uncomfortable. If you’re standing, try not to fidget or move around too much. Keep an open posture and remain engaged even if you’re not speaking – the camera may well still be on you so don’t switch off. Maintain eye contact and focus on the interviewer rather than the camera.
3. Think about what you wear
For a TV interview the broadcaster may well advise on colours/patterns that do or don’t work well. As a rule, high contrasts like black and white, horizontal stripes and small checks don’t necessarily broadcast well. Solid colours, pastels and softer shades may well be a safer choice. The key elements, however, are that you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing, and the clothes project the image you’re trying to portray – for a workplace piece, usual workwear is the most obvious choice, for a corporate interview smart attire will be the norm.
4. Calm your nerves
If this is your first video interview, chances are there will be some nerves. Try to find a few quiet moments just before you go live to take a few deep breaths, clarify your thoughts and focus on the key points you want to make. Fresh air and a quick walk around the block could calm the adrenaline, clear your mind and heighten your alertness.
5. Portray an air of confidence
You may be inwardly nervous but remember that you’ve been asked to do the interview because of your expertise and knowledge, so it’s important you come across as confident for the audience to trust what you’re saying. Think about your speaking speed and keep it steady; try not to interrupt the interviewer or other guests and avoid elaborate hand gestures. And remember that microphones may still be on once the interview is over so maintain composure until you’re clear of the studio.
There’s no denying a video interview is a nerve-wracking proposition, but the more you do it, the more natural you will become. It’s also hard to overestimate the value a well-presented video or media coverage via a TV interview can bring to your brand. So practice, focus and prepare, and it’ll soon be as natural as a one-on-one conversation.
