Part 2: Master the Media - Look Comfortable and Authentic
Recently, I've been getting questions about navigating media interviews and how a novice entrepreneur facing the camera for the first time can project their best image while ensuring that the conveyed messages align with their brand. This series aims to delve into the intricacies of media interviews. We will look at prevalent mistakes and explore industry best practices.
Read Part 1: Master the Media – Quick Wins, Looking & Sounding Better on Camera here.
Sell the Message by Selling the Messenger.
Reflect on some of the most captivating interviews you’ve ever listened to—those that weren’t dull. What do they share in common?
Consider the TED Talks model as an exemplary interactive presentation style. TED speakers excel in drawing audiences into their narratives, transforming a 30-minute presentation into what feels like a brief 5 minutes, leaving listeners yearning for more.
Contrast this with the experience of enduring a tedious slide presentation. The speaker mechanically recites text from each slide in a monotonous tone, devoid of anecdotes and a cohesive thread. In such situations, the inclination is to leave the room—or in today’s context, log out of Zoom. Would you agree?
Audiences not only care about the content of your messages but also about the person delivering them. The nexus between style and substance is crucial; you need both. A compelling product coupled with a dull presentation won’t attract buyers, just as a captivating speech cannot salvage a subpar product for long.
In media interactions, especially those incorporating a visual component, precision is paramount. In live interviews, the impact of your message fades if you appear stiff, anxious, or stumble over your words.
Your attire also plays a crucial role. Wearing a T-shirt with a controversial message, for instance, can divert attention from your words. Although it’s 2024, and norms have evolved, erring on the side of caution with your outfits is advisable. Over time, as you become a familiar face in the media, you might experiment with more unconventional choices.
However, if you’re a non-profit advocating for puppy rights, a graphic T-shirt might align with your message. The key principle is ensuring that your appearance on video complements your message rather than detracts from it. This dynamic shifts over the years, and as you establish a media presence, you may gradually incorporate more individualistic styles. Nevertheless, when starting, prioritise a professional appearance that aligns with a polished delivery.
Confidence on Camera: How Do You Sit?
Let’s delve into the nuances of sitting down for video presentations – it’s more important than you might think.
Common advice often includes phrases like “be comfortable” or “relax.” However, I find this guidance to be somewhat flawed.
The issue arises when individuals interpret “relax” as reclining comfortably in their chair, resulting in a slouched posture. This seemingly comfortable position, unfortunately, has a visual downside. When you lean back, the camera tends to focus on your central area, potentially making you appear heavier than you are. This happens because the camera locks onto the closest object, which, when leaning back, is often your belly.
This can create discomfort, as nobody wants to look heavier than their actual weight. On the flip side, maintaining “perfect posture” might seem like a good idea, making you feel tall and powerful. However, on video, it can translate to looking stiff and uncomfortable.
So, how should you position yourself? The key is to sit with poise, holding yourself high while leaning about 15 degrees towards the camera. This adjustment not only accentuates your jawline and eliminates the appearance of a double chin but also ensures the camera doesn’t overly focus on your midsection. Striking this balance contributes to a more visually appealing and comfortable on-screen presence.
Where to Look on Camera?
Let’s discuss the crucial aspect of maintaining focus during interviews, especially when dealing with cameras.
The overarching principle is to concentrate on one specific point. If a reporter is addressing you, direct your gaze towards them. In this scenario, it’s acceptable not to look directly at the camera, as the reporter is the focal point on screen. For online interviews, it’s advisable to select a fixed spot and consistently maintain eye contact, with the video camera often being a suitable choice.
However, a common tendency is for individuals to look at the person talking to them on the screen. While this might feel natural, it creates the impression in the video recording that you are not making eye contact with the viewer, potentially diminishing the connection.
Avoid the temptation to shift your gaze between the person, the camera, and back again. This erratic movement can appear awkward and give the impression of shifty eyes. To foster a more engaging and connected on-screen presence, establish and maintain a consistent focal point, enhancing the viewer’s perception of your attentiveness and sincerity during the interview.
Don't Look Bored...
Let’s delve into the impact of the camera on visual elements – it can either magnify or minimize certain aspects, presenting unique challenges and opportunities.
The camera has the ability to magnify features like your belly or double chin, but it can also diminish certain aspects. What may seem acceptable in real life might appear odd on camera.
Consider the scenario where, in face-to-face interaction, your expression may be relatively neutral, with occasional smiles during a conversation. However, when introduced to a TV host, maintaining a blank face can come across as awkward on camera.
The solution? When facing a video camera, introduce a subtle smile—a slight upturn, avoiding an exaggerated grin that might appear forced. This guideline holds true even in serious situations, such as handling a crisis. Adding a touch of a smile doesn’t necessarily convey joy; instead, it creates a more relaxed and confident appearance on camera. This small adjustment can enhance your on-screen presence, making you more approachable and at ease, regardless of the context or the tone of the conversation.
Move Like a Seasoned TV Pro.
When delivering a speech, a commonly overlooked element is movement. Despite extensive preparation and rehearsal, many individuals limit their motion to just their lips, resulting in a stiff and less personable presentation—often a manifestation of nervousness, driven by psychological instincts to freeze up when anxious.
Contrary to the advice of “acting natural,” freezing up is a natural response when nervous, and it’s the opposite of what you want in effective communication. As you progress into becoming an expert opinion provider, you’ll discover additional cues to enhance your on-camera presence. For now, let’s explore some simple techniques to introduce movement:
- Move your head: This subtle motion adds a human touch to your delivery, reducing the robotic impression and making you more relatable.
- Move your body: Allow your entire body to move naturally as you speak, mirroring how you would behave in real-life conversations. This contributes to a more authentic and engaging presence.
- Hands: Contrary to a common misconception, moving your hands is not only acceptable but encouraged. Confident speakers worldwide incorporate hand movements while talking. While excessive gestures should be avoided, frozen hands can make you appear robotic. Moving your hands not only adds dynamism but also helps dispel the appearance of nervousness.
Pro tip: Hand movement is an antidote to looking nervous; it adds a layer of assurance and authenticity to your presentation.
If concerns about being distracting arise, rest assured that moderately expressive movements rarely undermine a speech. Embracing movement is generally beneficial, contributing to a more engaging and effective communication style.
Don't Let the Seat Swallow You.
When engaging in seated interviews, it’s crucial to be mindful of your posture to ensure a polished and comfortable on-screen presence.
Avoid sitting as far back as possible in the chair, as this can create an illusion of added weight. Instead, imagine your chair doesn’t have a back, and position yourself around ⅔ of the chair. Leaning forward is key to presenting a more flattering and engaging appearance.
If your chair comes with armrests, resist the urge to rest your arms on the sides. This can result in a disheveled look, with wrinkles forming on your outfit. Additionally, having your arms on the armrests limits hand movement, contributing to a robotic and uncomfortable impression. Opt to keep your hands accessible by not touching the armrests and maintaining a forward-leaning posture.
The same principle applies to desks – avoid placing your hands on the table or leaning into it when speaking. While it’s acceptable to rest your arms on the table when listening, refrain from doing so when you’re speaking. Keeping your hands accessible fosters confidence and allows for a more fluid conversation flow.
Consider your feet positioning as well. Avoid putting your feet up or throwing your legs forward, as this can lead to discomfort. Opt for either placing one foot forward and one foot back, both flat on the ground, or crossing your ankles – these positions facilitate maintaining an upright posture, leaning forward, and minimizing distractions. Adopting these practices contributes to a professional, confident, and distraction-free presentation during seated interviews.
Stand with Ease.
Standing interviews introduce a different dynamic compared to seated ones, and adopting the right posture is crucial for conveying confidence and ease on camera.
When standing, aim to keep your feet as still as possible while allowing movement from the waist up. Resist the urge to hold your hands in an awkward position in front of you, as this can make you appear scared and uncomfortable. Avoid placing your hands behind your back, which might give the impression of being handcuffed. Similarly, keeping your hands in your pockets can immobilize you and convey discomfort.
Instead, let your hands move naturally as you speak. Begin with your hands by your side and, as you start talking, allow them to move slightly in tandem with the conversation. This helps project a more comfortable and relaxed demeanor.
Address the common issue of standing with feet shoulder-width apart, which can lead to visible nervousness and unintentional swaying from side to side. To counter this, adopt a posture with one foot forward and one foot back. This stance prevents lateral rocking, and any forward and backward movement becomes less noticeable due to the limited depth perception on the video camera. This simple adjustment ensures a steadier and more composed presence during standing interviews, contributing to a polished and confident on-screen presentation.
Dress for Success.
Dressing appropriately for interviews and corporate videos involves considering various factors, ensuring your attire aligns with your message and the expectations of your audience. While there’s no universal “best” way to dress, certain guidelines can enhance your on-screen presence.
Firstly, ensure your clothing choice aligns with your message and doesn’t confuse your audience. For example, as an entrepreneur, wearing a tracksuit might be perceived as inconsistent with the professional image you aim to convey. However, if you’re an athlete, such attire would be expected and fitting.
Despite today’s less traditional norms, media tends to lean towards conservative and conventional ideas, so remaining on the traditional side is advisable. Here are some considerations to avoid distracting or problematic wardrobe choices:
- Stripes: Striped patterns can stand out and may not translate well on various screens, potentially causing visual distractions.
- Complex Patterns (e.g., paisley): Small, intricate patterns can be distracting on camera and may not appear well-defined on different screens.
- Certain Colors:
- Bright Red: Red can create a bleeding effect when in motion and may follow you as you move.
- Pure White: While excellent as a background, a simple white shirt can make it challenging for the camera to light your face correctly, potentially darkening surrounding areas.
- All Black: Black outfits may make you appear heavier on camera, especially if the distinction between your body and the suit is not clear. You might also blend into black chairs commonly used on sets.
Remember, these are general guidelines, not rigid rules. It’s not the end of the world if you find yourself in a situation where you’re wearing white or black during an interview. These recommendations aim to provide you with an edge in presenting yourself effectively on camera, taking into account potential visual challenges and expectations.
How Media Pros Rehearse Their Interviews.
It might surprise you that most people I know rehearse their interviews even if they’re well known in the media space. They rehearse them even if they’ve done countless interviews before – there’s always at least one rehearsal. So let’s look at some tips that will benefit you during your trial run.
What most people do, if they even get the courage to rehearse, record themselves and then rewatch to see how they did, is they fixate on something they don’t like. But that’s not the lesson here. It would be best if you learned to look at yourself objectively – and it’s hard to do. But you have to figure out what works, what doesn’t and what you like or don’t like. But also, what can you fix.
The key isn’t to be perfect, but to look and do your best – not to look stiff or nervous, not to be distracting and to figure out the little things you can improve. But here’s the trick: it’s not enough to record yourself and write down everything you don’t like. If you do it again and focus on doing just one thing better, that’s where change happens. If you notice your hands are frozen, try moving them. If you see that your eyes are darting back and forth, focus on having eye contact. Focus on one thing at a time. And keep doing it again and again so that you eliminate all the things you don’t like overtime.
Be careful to focus on things you can fix – “I wish I were taller” isn’t fixable. So focus on what you control: how your voice sounds, how you move, and what you say.
When people focus on one thing, they improve, giving them confidence. Because if you cut one flaw with one take, it’s only a matter of time until you’ve eliminated all faults. People get into trouble when they try to fix three things at a time. Your brain can’t focus on “move your hands, don’t look around, keep your back straight and talk slower” at the same time. That’s too much, and it’s overwhelming. So take one thing at a time and record it as many times as needed.
This is standard homework for PR-centric entrepreneurs and business professionals. So get out there and start rehearsing!
