I Got Booked On TV! Here’s How To Prep For Your Interview

It’s all coming together!  You’ve finished your book, put in the work to get your message out, and now you have your first interview.  This is a big moment and it’s completely normal for your feelings to be a mixture of excitement and fear.  Take a deep breath, you’ve got this.  

Coming from more than a decade of experience as a producer, I can tell you the quality I valued most in a guest was preparation.  Doing your homework gives you an advantage of adjusting your messaging to fit within what can be a very short interview window, but also the ability to adapt to the structured chaos of a newsroom.  Knowing someone was prepared and adaptable always made me feel confident in their ability to deliver and stayed on a shortlist of names I would call when I needed an expert for a last-minute TV segment.  

So, now that you’ve booked your interview, take a moment to celebrate, but then get back to work so you can make the most of your opportunity!  

Questions To Ask Producers Before Your TV Interview

How long is the actual interview?

Is it live or taped? 

• • If live, do we need to dial in early for an audio/video check or schedule it at a separate time? 
  • If it is a short interview, still block off at least 30 minutes in the calendar to allow for potential breaking news and changes to the show rundown.

Who will be conducting the interview?

• Sometimes they won’t know until the day of the interview but still, ask.
• Be fluid because it could always change the day of as well. 

What is the format? (Zoom, Skype, etc.) 

• This helps you prep and ensure all technical aspects are downloaded on your end and ready to go!
• Test your Zoom, Skype, and internet ahead of time to ensure things are working on your end.

Will the interview be posted online afterward? 

• This doesn’t always happen with TV but you can ask!
• Pro Tip: If they don’t post it online you can purchase it from Find My TV Clip, which usually costs around $60 if you purchase within a 30 day window.

Who is the point of contact on the day of the interview? 

• Ask for the phone number and email for day-of contact for any troubleshooting.

What To Send Producers Ahead Of Your Interview

Oftentimes, there is a booking form you need to fill out on their end. If they don’t have one, be sure to send the following:

• • Correct, on-screen title (also known as lower thirds) This is how you sell yourself!
    • Example: NAME, Author, Book Title
    • Example: NAME, Founder, Company Title

• Your Website

• Your Social Media Handles  

• Any Imagery (Book Cover, Podcast Tile Art, etc.)

• Other Visuals + Media Assets (B-Roll, Photos, Props, etc.)

• Your Talking Points: 

• • If this was in your original pitch, go ahead and resend it
  • OR you can send sample suggested questions that you are prepared to speak to. It is not a guarantee they will use the questions, but this at least gives them an idea of what you are prepared to speak to!

Remember to be fluid and flexible, you are dealing with TV after all, and therefore the show rundown changes constantly, and your segment could too! If there is breaking news, they may need to cancel or reschedule. 

Give them grace for any technical difficulties. They are managing multiple breaking news stories and multiple reporters in different fields. Technical difficulties are bound to happen.

Now, take a deep breath and get ready to introduce yourself to the world!