Imagine that you’re on live television giving an interview and the journalist asks a question for which you don’t have an answer. How would it make you feel?
For those who serve as spokesperson, being caught off guard during an interview is what nightmares are made of. It happens almost all the time. Many incidents were there where people in higher positions were caught unprepared, feeling embarrassed at times.
We are all human and we won’t always have the answers. But there are a few steps we can take to ensure your comments don’t make headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Tips to consider before your next television interview
Preparation matters
Take time to prepare before your interview. Brainstorm various questions and scenarios and gather the information that is relevant to your organization. Research, raise questions and familiarize with relevant current events. It will help you from getting stumped.
Every interview is an opportunity
Treat every interview that you participate as a chance to build the profile of your company. Keep your key messages that you want to communicate to the target audience simple and crisp. Your message should make the audience remember you even after the interview.
Also Read – How to Handle a Media Interview?
Don’t panic
As mentioned earlier, we are all human and we won’t always have the answers. If you don’t have an answer to a question asked, don’t panic. Your preparation will come to your rescue. All you have to do is to make use of the key messages that you have in your back pocket. Use bridging statements such as “That’s important but don’t forget…” and “What matters most to us is…” to deliver your key messages.
Don’t deliver, just perform
Being a spokesperson or a subject matter expert, think about your tone, energy, appearance and gestures. They are a critical part of your message and influence how your target audience will perceive your message.
Being armed with the right tools will help you to stay on track, own the stage and make the audience remember you and your company.
