Monday, February 13, 2012

What was I saying?


It can be a bit traumatic to appear on radio or TV, especially if you are new to it. One of the main concerns of new interviewees, and many experienced ones too, is that they will forget their message. The pressure of a live interview under bright lights can be intense, and it's not possible to refer to notes, even in radio interviews (most radio studios have webcams, and radio journalists really don't like guests with crib sheets)
So here are some tips to help you stay on-message, even in the most pressurised media interrogations:


  • Write it yourself, in your language
  • Simplify it, and simplify it again
  • Use three points or fewer
  • Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse - out loud
  • Write it down, and keep it in your pocket.
  • Read it on the way to the studio and in the green room
  • Use real examples
  • Keep it up-to-date
  • Keep the language very simple - no jargon
  • The shorter it is, the more you will remember
It's not what you do on air, it's what you do beforehand that will guarantee success.

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