Tips for a Great TV Interview

The first thing many potential clients ask me is whether I can get them on Oprah. The answer is, maybe. But, of course, there's work to be done before that happens. If you're lucky enough to secure a TV interview, it's critical for you to be prepared. Here's the crash course to coming off as a professional.

At the Studio

• Don't bring your children or an entourage with you.
   
• When you arrive in the studio, bond with the crew. Be easy to work with, and know that every move you make will be reported back to the people in charge.
   
• The time to read your notes is in the car on the way over, not when you arrive at the studio. If you're fumbling with notes and cramming until the last minute, you look unprepared, and the producers will hear about it.

During the Interview

• Speak in sound bites. Most answers in a TV interview are just 10 to 20 seconds long. Can you condense your point to that length?

 
• Smile. Show your enthusiasm. Remember, TV is a visual medium, so your passion should shine through.

 
• Look at the host or straight into the camera.

 
• Make your key point right away. If breaking news happens and your segment is cut short, you want to make sure you got your key point across.

 
• If you don't know something, say "I don't know."

What Not to Say During the Interview
Don't promote yourself or your product. If you do, the segment may be cut short or never broadcast, and you won't be asked back.

Remember, this isn't an ad. While you'd like the TV segment to promote you or your product, the media want to provide information to their viewers. The show will almost always mention you, your product or your book, and sometimes it'll include that information on the screen at the end of the segment.

Wardrobe, Hair and Makeup

• Wear something you feel confident and comfortable in.

 
• Look your part. If you're a professional basketball player, don't show up looking like a banker. If your field has particular clothing associated with it, like a lab coat for doctors or a uniform for law enforcement, ask the producer if you should wear those or street clothes.

 
• Wear powder to cover up shine. One that works well is MAC Studio Fix powder.
   
• For women, bright, solid colors are best. Avoid tiny checks, stripes and patterns, as they can take on a life of their own through a camera lens.

 
• Avoid wearing solid white or solid black.

 
• Avoid heavy jewelry and big, fussy hair.

 
• It's true what they say about the camera adding 10 pounds, so if you're broader than you'd like to be, choose long necklaces or scarves, V-neck shirts and jackets in a darker, contrasting color to help you look taller. Also turn your body slightly to one side so both shoulders aren't facing the camera straight on, and tilt your head down slightly.

Expecting the Unexpected
You've rearranged your entire day, done all your homework, battled the traffic and you're finally in your seat, mic on and ready to go--and suddenly, there's breaking news and your segment gets canceled. Roll with it. The guests who roll with the punches are the ones who get called back.

And no matter what happens, at the end of your interview, thank everyone and smile.

Also remember that most producers don't want to be your personal tape service. By far, the best thing to do is to set your VCR or DVR and tape your segment yourself. Ask a friend to tape it, too, so you have a backup. And if all else fails, you can get in touch with a video monitoring service where you can purchase a tape.