If you haven’t had a lot of experience doing media interviews, you may have butterflies in your stomach or even feel sick!
To overcome your nerves and improve your chances of giving a great interview, here are a few quick tips:
1. Prepare.
This is pretty obvious, but the more you prepare in advance, the more confident you’ll feel. To get ready for your interview, research the reporter and the media venue.
What is the point of the program, and how can you provide your unique expertise to the targeted audience members?
Develop pertinent talking points and practice what you are going to say. Basically, you want to offer valuable information without sounding like a commercial.
By offering interesting and useful data, you’ll increase credibility and new-customer awareness.
2. Get In Your Zone.
Before your interview, try to go to a quiet place to calm your nerves. Is there something that relaxes you? Listen to music, light a candle, read a book, talk to a friend, etc.
Now, I know this may be difficult with your hectic, entrepreneurial schedule. But you want to try to spend time prior to your interview in a peaceful setting to collect your thoughts.
3. Review.
Minutes prior to your interview, review your talking points. Focus on the key message you want the audience to take away from your discussion. Also, remind yourself to mention the appropriate contact information and website address for your business.
Then, start to take deep breaths. This may sound like an old tip, but it works. You’ll slow down, inhale more oxygen and think more clearly.
Now, it’s time for your interview. Yikes! To find out what to do next to calm down, tune in Thursday…
In the meantime, feel free to send me your questions and comments at [email protected]. I’m here to help!
