How to look and sound relaxed in a media interview, performance tips

Now, when I get clients to practice this on camera they often feel quite silly but as soon as they watch it back they go "oh ye, I see what you mean, that does look normal."

Practice by filming yourself on your phone and watching it back.

If you smile while you are talking like I'm doing now. People will know, even on the radio and podcasts. Try it.

What you've got to remember here is that the mic and the camera drain your personality, so you've got to up your performance by another 10%.

Think, you on a great day after a coffee and a good night's sleep.

I'm doing it right now. I'm giving it some extra welly.

And Remember, people have a choice about listening and watching you. If you sound dull they're going to drift off.

Media performance tip for sounding relaxed and professional, signposting with your tone of voice.

My next media performance tip. Signposting with your tone of voice. This is about flagging where you are going in the conversation, not just with your words but with your tone of voice, specifically making it clear when you have finished your point.

Get it?

Media interviews are a pretend conversation. So play nicely, turn-taking is essential. Don't ramble, don't hog the airtime.

You're never going to be asked back if the presenter asks one questions and you ramble on for 5 minutes without taking a breath.

Make your best points first and then when you've finished sharing your idea, use your tone of voice to show that you've finshed.

Media interview performance tip: You listening face in repose

Right, my next media performance tip, is think about what you are doing with your face.

If you are being interviewed, its very likely that you will be in vision even if you aren't speaking. So, think about what you are doing with your face when the interviewer is talking. Pay attention, relax, smile, agree, listen with your face.

A newbie error here is to nod furiously. Don't overdo it.

It maybe you disagree with the question, that's fine, shoot a serious look. Whatever, focus on the interviewer and if you're not in the same studio (a remote interview, maybe via your laptop) then look at the lens to give the impression of eye contact.

Looking relaxed on-air, don't worry about hand waving

Next media performance tip. The No.1 thing I get asked during media training is - What should I do with my hands? Why is it when a video camera is switched on that people become so hand conscious?

The answer is who gives one! There's endless conflicting advice from media trainers online about whether to wave them about while speaking, it really doesn't matter.

When you are sitting on the bus do you worry about what you are doing with your hands? No. What about when you're doing the weekly shop? Are you thinking, (internal voice) Am i gesturing a bit too much. No.

If you wave you hands around while speaking - good for you. If you are not that person, great keep you hands in a relaxed position on you lap while seated or dangling there if you're standing up.

Are you worried that ums,ers and verbal ticks are ruining your media performance?

Final media performance tip and this one is about erms, ers and verbal ticks.

You know, ye, erm, to be honest, you know, erm, like I said, ye.

We all do this in natural conversation. Try not to overthink it. If you feel it's an issue make a practice video on your phone and play it to a friend, someone you know and trust to be honest - so not your mother - a work colleague who's a friend. Don't mention the erm, or thing you don't like.

What do they say, do they notice it? If not don't worry about it. If it's still an issue go back to my advice about slowing down your delivery. If you feel an erm coming try replacing it with a breath.

So those are my top performance tips to look and sound slick on air. Remember the more you practice, the less you'll care about this stuff and the more relaxed you'll appear on air. Good luck, you can do it!

Ok, If your team need some help with media appearances or perhaps 1-2-1 media coaching online would work for you...drop me a line. hello@bitfamous.co.uk. Thanks for listening.