Are you ever tongue-tied and nervous in an interview? Here are SIX TIPS to Relax
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Stop me if you’ve heard this before. You’ve decided to do a video and talk about your company on camera or you’ve been nominated as a spokesperson. “Sure I’d love to do it” you say , then your mind begins to race, anxiety builds and start to you ask yourself “Can I do this, what am I going to say? Am I going to make a complete fool out of myself?”
Hold on right there! If you have felt like this don’t worry, it’s very common and natural to think this way. Even as a video producer, I have felt like this. Being in front of camera is not easy and can cause a funk in the most confident people as they panic. It’s because you worry as you want to say the right thing and get that perfect video you’ve seen others do like from Louise or Jimmy at XYZ company. Fear not and don’t worry here is some advice to help you outshine Jimmy and Louise on camera so you can deliver you key messages.
(Disclaimer: if you’re name is Jimmy and Louise sorry, also you can still shine, so read on)
1. Be yourself and smile (depending on subject matter)– Talk about things that are in your area of expertise and use your own words. Smiling adds a positive energy that your audience will feel.
2. Don’t worry about your hands. I get this a lot so I just want to say if you naturally express yourself with your hands, it’s fine to incorporate the movement with your answers. It adds energy and shows you’re passionate about what you’re saying.
3. Try not to look at the camera. Looking at the camera is not a good idea unless you are doing a direct address such as a vlog– just look at the interviewee. It takes the audience out of the moment if they see you looking at them. Try to imagine you are having a regular conversation with someone as that’s pretty much what you are doing so ignore equipment.
4. Try not to script your answers and recall it from memory. Scripts are great but very few people can carry them off without sounding robotic. The viewers will also know and they will begin to think what are you hiding? If you need script then why not try instead to have bullet points which will give you the freedom to say things in your own words. Also your body language will give you away as you’ll be stiff and not relaxed due to you trying to remember everything.
5. Don’t worry about giving overlong and elaborate answers. A lot of people try to get everything out so try to think from the viewer’s point of you and ask if it’s relevant. Sometimes it’s good to give short answers as you don’t want to overload your audience with information.
6. Finally chat with your interviewer before the camera’s start. A good interviewer will always try to talk to you as it builds your confidence with them, as they want you to be your best. Feel free to do a runthrough as well. It also helps you to relax knowing you have already spoken to the person who’s going to be interviewing. So try to engage, as it will help to ease nerves.
Above all remember to have fun as it’s a two-way conversation and you’ll be fine. If it’s not live you can always stop the camera and do it again or the video can be edited to make you look great and sound great so there is not need to worry.
Being a female-owned business I was honoured to have been asked to capture East of England Co-op's event feature inspirational Suffolk Women such as Dr. Karen Hester form Adnams, Michelle Pollard MD of Spider, Belinda Bulsing from East of England Co-op and the event host Kim Trotter form Future Female Society
Interview based videos help you to engage with your audience as they get a glimpse of your personality and also good for events to give a feel of who was there and what happened. If you want any more tips on interviews and video production then please feel free to get in touch. Contact Remi@red-cactusmedia.com to schedule a call. Always happy to chat, happy creating.
Remi Morrison, runs Red Cactus Media a video production company helping businesses and campaign in Suffolk and Essex increase sales and awareness through video content.
