Ever watch morning TV and think, "Hey, I can do that!"
Well the truth is that if you have a book, product or
service to promote to consumers, there is absolutely no
reason why you can't appear as a guest on TV!
But what does it take to be a good guest?
Here are 5 simple tips to get you started and help you
capitalize on the valuable air-time at your disposal:
1) Don't overdo the makeup ladies and gentlemen? Yes, both
women and men are repeat offenders in this category.
There's no need to go to the station with a full face of
make-up. You'll find most producers are prepared to give
you a quick once-over when you arrive so that you look good
for the cameras. Shallow as it may sound, it's hard for
viewers to take you seriously if they're too busy zeroing
in on a face that's overly made-up.
2) Check your props. As TV is all about visuals (no matter
what your topic is) it's likely you'll have some kind of
props for your interview. Take stock of them before the
interview to make sure they're in good shape with all parts
intact. For example, if you're conducting a "how-to"
demonstration, ensure your equipment and tools are clean
and at the ready. If you'll be using the station's stove
for a cooking segment , make sure it works. If your prop
is your book, hold it on your lap with an un-tattered front
cover facing the audience.
3) Stay seated! When your interview draws to a close and
it appears that the camera has stopped focusing on you,
don't stand up and take off your mic! It's the job of the
floor manager to remove the mic for you and give you the
all-clear to leave. By leaving prematurely you could run
the risk of ruining a perfectly good camera shot and coming
off as an unprofessional guest.
4) Speak in a conversational manner. When people get
nervous about being on camera, they tend to speak too fast
and sometimes tense up - which can be very distracting for
the audience. To relieve the nervous tension, you first
need to get comfortable. Look around and get familiar with
the studio and set. Introduce yourself to the host,
producer and camera crew. Locate where you'll be seated
during the interview. Then, when the interview starts,
you'll feel less like you're in a strange environment.
You'll look more at ease and feel like the ultimate pro!
5) No arguing! Unless you are on a show that thrives on
arguing, being combative on a show is not suggested. Your
goal as a guest is to win over the audience; something that
can be tricky if a question makes you feel angry or
combative. If you've been ambushed with a nasty question,
remain dignified and answer calmly. Losing your temper
won't boost your credibility; plus, it makes you look
defensive which is definitely not the best position to be
in when trying to promote your message.
So there you have it! A good solid start in making the
most of your time on the air!
----------------------------------------------------
Marsha Friedman has been a leading authority on publicity
for authors for nearly two decades as CEO of Event
Management Services, Inc (EMSI). If you would like to
receive her free Ebook "How to Be a Great Talk Radio Guest"
visit http://www.emsincorporated.com .
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