6 top TV talk show interview mistakes

It's an exciting moment when you get that call inviting you to be a guest on a TV talk show. It doesn't matter if the show is local or national -- it's a big deal for you and your business. A TV interview seen by the people you want to communicate with can make a big difference in the success of your product, business, or service.

So don't blow it.

Here are the top mistakes I see made by talk show guests on national and local TV shows:

1. Forgoing media training. Don't appear on national television without at least a few hours of professional media training. When you appear stiff or frightened or your voice is noticeably shaky, we don't absorb your messages because we're distracted by your body language. Professional training will help you relax and be your usual confident self. You know your stuff -- get a little help presenting it in the big time.
2. Locking your hands together on your lap. Are you afraid they'll run off the set without you? When you're off camera, you use your hands when you talk, so don't tie them up when you're on camera. You can't appear (and feel) natural if you're not using your hands to help you make a point or give your comments emphasis.
3. Relying on your memory and not your knowledge. Don't memorize what you want to say and then recite your messages like a bad cue card reader. You know your subject better than anyone -- that's why you're on the show.
4. Not preparing enough. You want to make the most of this opportunity and there are no do-overs with live interviews, so prepare for the event by watching the show so you know what to expect. Give some thought to the questions you'll be asked and practice your answers. Ask a colleague or friend to critique your answers -- too long? short? dull? -- and presentation -- flat? scared? low-key? Which of your anecdotes does the best job of making your point?
5. Wearing distracting or inappropriate clothing. This is a problem for women, especially. You don't want anything around your face that will distract from what you're saying, so no large earrings, flamboyant scarves, or heavy necklaces, even if they reflect your personal style. We are easily distracted and you want us to focus on your words, not your accessories.
6. Getting too comfortable. Sit on the edge of the chair with your back straight so you're more energetic and animated during the interview. This is important because an energetic demeanor is more engaging for viewers (and channel surfers) than one that is low-key and relaxed.

Remember, too, to listen to how you're greeted. I've blogged about this knee-jerk "thank you for having me" response no matter how the guest is greeted, and while it's entertaining for people like me who notice these things even if we shouldn't, it's not how you want to start your TV conversation. Listen, respond, listen, respond.

What's your best tip for TV talk show interviews?

Did Ian Halperin Get a Makeover?

I've seen Ian Halperin, author of the timely Michael Jackson book, Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson, interviewed on TV many times since Jackson's death. Unfortunately, I've been so distracted by his cartoonish appearance -- big sunglasses with bright white frames and a white or brightly colored tie contrasting against a black shirt and jacket -- that I don't remember a thing about what he has said about the King of Pop.

I was surprised, then, to see the result of an obvious transformation on TV this morning. With his "mod" look replaced by a white shirt and typical businessman's tie, Halperin appears less like an eccentric who probably can't be trusted and more like a credible source of information about the Michael Jackson secrets that so many people seem to be interested in. I suspect that his publisher stepped in to give him a more ... how you say ... appropriate ... image now that his book is available and he's on his scheduled book tour.

It's yet another reminder that appearance matters, especially with television. We judge people by their covers, so make sure your cover communicates the correct information. If you want to be seen as a credible source of information, don't dress like a clown. If your topic is sober and serious, dress appropriately. If it's lighthearted and fun, lose the business suit. Most importantly, remember that you are not the news -- your content is the news. Whether you're promoting a book, a different type of product, or your business, keep the focus on the information you're sharing, not on what you look like when you're sharing it. It will help us remember and act on the information you've offered.

Thank You for Having Me

I'll admit that I'm easily entertained. Here's what makes me smile pretty much every morning as I watch the "Today Show" while getting ready for the long commute to my office.

The show's "expert" (vs. ordinary consumer who is on the show because she saw a tornado hit a trailer park or performed a super human act in a time of crisis) nearly always says "Thanks for having me" no matter how he or she is greeted.

Meredith or Matt might say, "Attorney Mike Brown joins us now from the court room in Boston. Mike, those women are actually being sued for looking too tan in February, aren't they?" or "Dr. Smith is an expert on post-surgical polyps and will tell us how we can prevent them," or even "Joe, what the heck were you thinking?!?" And still, the response is, "Thank you for having me."

It makes me laugh even though I understand the reason behind the response. These guests are expecting to be welcomed to the show -- "Thank you, Dr. Smith, for joining us. How can we prevent those post-surgical polyps?" or "Joe, we're glad you could join us, especially under the embarrassing circumstances." In the interview script they've rehearsed over and over in their heads while preparing for this big-time appearance, everybody has good manners: The host welcomes them and they, in turn, thank the host for the welcome.

But because they're nervous about being on the show -- and who wouldn't be? -- they aren't listening to precisely how they're being introduced. They're repeating to themselves, "Smile and say thank you, smile and say thank you, smile and say thank you." So that's what comes out. "Thank you for having me."

And that's when I laugh.

It's not a mean laugh. Really, it's not. It's an empathetic laugh. I've been in their shoes before, so focused on what I want to communicate during my few short minutes on the air that I couldn't even tell you how I got to the studio for the interview.

It's a great way to start every day, but it also reminds me about the importance of truly listening, regardless of the situation. I wonder how many doofus communication mistakes I've made -- in interviews or with friends -- because I haven't listened as well as I should.

Well, anyway, thanks for having me.

5 Tips for TV Talk Show Appearances

A good interviewee on TV is somebody whose voice and energy make you turn back to the program when you're distracted or doing something else when the TV is on, as I often am. I heard -- then saw -- one of these people yesterday on the Today Show. And I saw an equally bad one today.

The good spokesperson is Sloan Barnett, iVillage consumer editor.

The bad spokesperson is Amanda Brooks, a contributing editor for Men's Vogue. In her Today Show interview (at the link, select "Sexy sleepwear for guys" in the video section), she speaks in a monotone I found hard to listen to (not that it mattered considering the segment included seriously distracting visuals).

To be a Barnett and not a Brooks, keep these five tips in mind when you're doing a TV interview:

• Project more energy than you usually would because the cameras are draining. It might feel strange, but it looks natural (in the same way that the clownish TV makeup looks extreme in person but appropriate when seen through your TV set).


• Sit up straight in your chair -- don't lean back no matter how comfortable it is and how desperately you need to feel comfortable in front of the cameras. If you get too comfortable, you will appear flat -- and flat makes viewers change channels.


• Use your hands when you talk. You do this in real life, so do it in an interview, too.


• Talk to the interviewer, not the camera. You're having a conversation with the host, not the viewer.


• Wear what's appropriate for the situation, but what makes you feel confident, too. If you feel like you look great, you'll have more confidence and energy.

Got TV interview tips that work for you? Please share them here!