Being asked to appear on a television broadcast, video podcast, or other on-camera opportunites to speak about your science are a great way to reach a large number of people. For some scientists, however, these opportunities can also be a little nerve wracking.
This page will thus provide you with tips to help you feel more comfortable when you’re asked to appear on camera. Little things, like the clothes you choose to wear, or knowing where to look can help you feel great and look like a professional.
If you’ve made it this far, then you’ve perfected your ability to present to a non-academic audience by developing clear analogies, eliminating jargon, creating an elevator pitch, and practicing your talking points. All of these things will help you ace the television or video interview. But there are a few other things that you can do to have the best experience possible. They are the following:
Clothing tips:
- Some colors look better on screen than others. Avoid busy patterns, stripes, or visible logos. Solid colors are best.
- Avoid dangly earrings or other jewelry that can hit your microphone.
- If you think you may be speaking in front of a blue screen, avoid wearing blue. If you’re not certain, ask the producer who books you for recommendations about what colors not to wear.
- You’ll probably be wearing a wireless lapel microphone. These consist of two parts: a small microphone that clips to your clothing near the collar, and a box that usually clips to a pocket or the wasteband of your pants or skirt. These two parts are connected by a wire that goes through your shirt up to your collar. If you are wearing a dress or romper, it could be difficult or impossible to wear this type of microphone properly, so it’s best to wear an outfit that has a separate top and bottom instead.
- Above all, be comfortable, yet professional.
Make up:
- Some shows will offer you a make-up touch up of some powder to reduce shine on camera, but most will not. If possible, bring your own pressed powder, and use some before you go on air.
- Don’t use hair products that add shine. This could be distracting to viewers.
- Neutral looks are usually best. With HD cameras, it’s no longer necessary to highlight features for the camera, and in fact a dramatic look could be distracting if you’re talking about a serious topic.
Other considerations:
- The host or producer should tell you where to direct your gaze during the interview. You’ll be tempted to look at the camera but avoid this temptation unless you’re specifically asked to look at the camera.
- Don’t speak too quickly or too slowly. Try to adopt a conversational tone.
- If you are in a remote studio, there may be a delay between when a question is asked and when you answer. Remember you could be on the air, even if you aren’t answering a question. Smile, breathe, and try your best to look comfortable.
- Arrive at least 20 minutes ahead of time. There’s usually a bit of a process to get on the air, and if you want to be asked to do this again, you want to eliminate as much stress as possible for the people that are having you.
- Be mindful of “dead air”. a few seconds of silence can seem like an eternity to those watching. To buy yourself time (if needed) to answer a difficult question, repeat the question back to the host, then answer it as best as you can.
With your science communication skills in high demand, you could also be asked to speak live on radio. The next section will cover tips for radio interviewing to help you present your research to listeners.