Over the years, I’ve conducted numerous interviews and webinars, and with preparation and common sense, most have gone well. However, I endured an embarrassing disaster recently – during a conference call with New Zealand – a bacon sandwich was placed on my desk. This was more than Charlie, my dog could cope with, and a bacon frenzy erupted, knocking over computers pulling wires and terminating all power and internet connections!
Learn from my experience when you prepare for your next podcast interview!
- Imagine you’re deep in a fantastic interview, and the ping of ‘You’ve Got Mail’ interrupts the flow! Ensure phones, doorbells, pets, computer and outside noises are minimised and kept away from the microphone. Turn off computer programmes such as Microsoft Outlook and don’t type on your keypad – listeners will hear this.
- Alert other people in the office not to disturb you.
- Test your audio equipment before you start.
- Have a clock in eyesight.
- Have a mirror in eyesight; this can help you be animated and bring variety to your voice. Engaging content can sound very dull when shared in a monotone voice. If nothing else, smile at the mirror so listeners can hear your warm personality through the airwaves.
- The best interviews are free-flowing conversation. Don’t write a prepared speech for the interview, but do feel free to use index cards or bullet points for jogging your memory. Maybe include the top three-point you want to share?
- Lubricate vocal chords with a warm cup of black tea, and practice talking immediately before the scheduled interview.
- Eat some pineapple or green apple before the session – it miraculously dries out the phlegm in your mouth, so you don’t have that gurgly sound.
- Have a glass of water handy (no ice) in case a frog miraculously leaps into your throat.
- Slow down – remember to breathe and pace yourself.
- Practice talking; warm up your vocal chords before the interview. Try repeating RED LEATHER YELLOW LEATHER; it will warm up your mouth muscles.
- Do I need to remind you to go to the washroom before the session?
- Typically an interviewer will ask: do you have any final words of advice for the listeners? Have something prepared!