There are many aspects of appearing on TV that are not especially difficult intellectual concepts to grasp, however they are not common sense either. For example, everyone hears that you need to look comfortable and relaxed when you appear on TV; you don't want to look uptight. But, if you sit back and relax in a chair or couch on a TV set, you will look TERRIBLE.
If you sit back and relax, your head will be further away from the camera than your abdomen. Unfortunately, the camera latches on to whatever it is closer to. If the camera is closer to your gut, then it will magnify your stomach. The result? You will look 20-30 pounds heavier than you do in real life. You will look like you have a large tummy roll, even if you have six-pack abs. Additionally, you will look like you have a double chin, even if you've had more face lifts than Jocelyn Wildenstein.
So don't lean back and get comfortable in a couch or chair when you are on television.
Your next option is to sit up perfectly straight, just like your mother taught you when you were in first grade. In this case, your mom's advice won't work. If you situp perfectly straight while in front of a TV camera, you will look stiff as a board, nervous, scared, and highly uncomfortable.
Do not sit up perfectly straight!
So where does this leave us?
The last option and the best option is to hold yourself up high and to lean forward about 15 degrees. This will make you appear taller, thinner, younger, leaner, and have a stronger jaw line. Because the camera latches on to whatever it is closer to, it will now give more prominence to your head and your mouth, not any excess padding you have below (a major plus for many well-fed business executives, myself included).
So for seated TV interviews always lean about 15 degrees forward into the camera. If you are standing, don't try to lean forward that much (you might fall over). Just make sure you don't stand up too rigidly straight, or you will appear nervous and stiff.
The final thing to remember about your body during a TV interview is to move slightly. Don't keep yourself stiff. You don't want to move around in any quick, jerky fashion, but you do want subtle, natural movement. Occasionally move forward, backward and to the sides 3-6 inches, just as you normally would when you are having an animated conversation with a friend.
By leaning forward and moving slightly in a fill range, you will look your very best on every TV appearance.
More Insights from TJ Walker & Jess Todtfeld
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Words to Avoid in your Speech
Avoid references to “former” and “latter.” These work in print but just get people lost when they are listening to you.
Watch out for sibilants. Too many s’s in a row cause big problems, especially if you are around a microphone
Don’t use the third person; it sounds stilted and too formal. Use “I, me, and you.” Don’t say “one does not do that.”
Don’t say “um,” “uh,” or “er,” to fill up space between words or sentences. This is not like first grade where you have to color every inch of the paper or you receive a frown from your teacher
Instead of saying “um,” “uh,” or “er,” simply pause. Silence can be golden.
If you persist in saying “uh” while speaking, then type the word “uh” and draw a red “no” symbol slash through it. Place one of these on your computer screen, one on your bathroom mirror and one on the “12” on your watch. Leave them there for a week. After a week, you should be able to catch yourself before the “uhs” pop out of your mouth.
Promoting Yourself in a Radio Interview
If you are promoting a particular book, company, or cause, don’t be afraid to mention it by name.
The more radio you do, the more TV requests you will receive.
Build an audio radio resume tape featuring your best performances during radio show appearances. (And by tape I mean - digital recording that can be heard online)
Don’t count on the host to plug your book or web site.
When giving out a web site address or phone number, do it twice slowly.
If you are giving out a phone number, make sure it is a vanity number that spells out a word so that if I hear it once I can remember it.
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LESSON OF THE DAY
Great communicators are always referencing personal experiences to help explain larger points.
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