Say it with pictures – television interviews

• Deadlines are usually morning, noon and afternoon.
• Brief stories – 60 or 90 seconds, with 20-second soundbites.
• Strong visuals are key to TV news. Show people doing things and have interesting things going on in the background.
• Interviews are usually taped on location and then edited (rarely live).
• Talk with the reporter and ignore the camera.
• Viewers are both watching and listening to your interview so pay attention to your body language.

TV interviews – the right tips:

• Dress right: blue / gray best, avoid bright colours or stripes
•  Sit right: straight in the chair, lean slightly forward
• Stand right: straight with your feet shoulder width apart, one foot slightly ahead of the other, don’t rock
• Move right: talk with your head, shoulders, hands, use gestures to reinforce your key points
• Emote right: expression should match what you’re saying
• Look right: look the reporter, not the camera
• Talk right: short, simple and lead with your strongest messages, assume the microphone is always on
• Leave right: no heavy sighs of relief, grimaces or bolting for the door.