đź“ş One of my bugbears as a TV news editor used to be this: an expert starts their live interview with “Well our research has highlighted 10 important areas of improvement”…. You sigh, and know they won’t even get to point three before the interview is over. It’s a common mistake, and one that can be avoided with preparation.
Here is my weekend top three of mistakes I see regularly when media training clients:
1. Trying to say too much
You don’t need to cram in your whole argument, mission, or CV. A confident point will land better than five muddled ones. Less is more they say – particularly true if your interview only lasts three minutes.
2. Not preparing for tricky questions
I always tell people to prepare for a few of the most important messages you want to get across during the interview. But you can’t just rehearse your favourite talking points. You also need to prep for tricky, challenging, or vague questions. Even articulate, experienced talkers will stumble if they have not thought through any curveballs they might be thrown.
3. Sounding scripted, not human
The best media guests sound clear and human, not as if they’re reading off their notes. Use easy conversational language. Speak like a person, not a somebody reading a press release. Relaxed, not rehearsed.
📣 If you’ve got a media appearance coming up — and feel like you’re either over-preparing or under-prepared — I can help. One short session can make a huge difference to your clarity and confidence.
đź‘‹ E-mail me to book a chat.
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