In February, 27 members of Women in Journalism Scotland took part in our second ‘Branch Into Broadcasting’ training day. Below one of the participants, WiJ Scotland committee member, Hannah Baird shares her experience and the tips she learned.
WiJ Scotland is committed to improving female representation as commentators and experts, as well as supporting members with their careers in media.
WiJ Scotland Branch into Broadcasting training at BBC and STV studios in Glasgow came about after a previous session had been a roaring success, with many of the women emerging as a ‘voice’. Some of these women, now prominent commentators, had previously always refused requests to go on air due to lack of confidence.
At the training, STV Chairman, Baroness Margaret Ford, addressed the group to share some useful advice:
“In a world of fake news, it has never been more important for public broadcasting to step up.
“Form opinion based on fact and in context as this allows balance and proportionality. In that regard, the voice of women is critical – we have different experiences to men.
“Diversity of thought and experience is so important in public policy and news.”
I work in communications. I need to be able to give feedback and advice on broadcast interviews and to really understand something, you need to experience it. So, over the course of the day, I took part in three interviews – radio, television and a panel discussion.
I watched my interviews back which was incredibly helpful. I recognised what I did wrong, and how to correct my mistakes, as well as what I did right. Watching my body language was interesting – I didn’t realise how seemingly insignificant things, such as looking up when I’m thinking, look so exaggerated. These insights are invaluable for presenting at work too.
Being surrounded by clever, charismatic women gives you a sense that you can achieve anything. Taking part in the training in a supportive group with a common goal felt empowering.
You have to fake it ‘til you make it – you don’t grow in your comfort zone. Volunteering to be interviewed in a studio by journalists I hear on the radio and see on television was a massive confidence boost. I’d even thought about not going, and other women told me they were thinking the same that morning.
Top Tips from the Training
First things first, don’t be afraid to ask questions about the show you will be on. Before an interview you can predict, or even ask, what will be covered. Ask who you will be interviewed by, ask who you will be on with and please ask about the fee.
Don’t be afraid to cast some hooks. To get interviewed, contact producers and bookers and use your contacts.
Watch and listen to shows you may be asked to appear on so you know the format.
You might want to get a system in place at work to avoid going to HR every time you are asked on a show as you may not always have time.
When preparing what you are going to say, consider who is listening and what you want to say to them.
When you are being interviewed, remember people want to relate to you. Humanise it.
Prepare and practise your key messages. Have a goal.
In addition to having in-depth knowledge on what you’re speaking about, be aware of current stories and breaking news in case the interviewer asks for your opinion.
You may want to prepare a sound bite for a pre-recorded interview. A sound bite should be short. It’s killed if it’s overloaded. Think of when you’re eating. One bite. It’s small. Sound bites can be akin to advertising slogans. For example, Boris Johnson’s ‘let’s get Brexit done’.
Remember, silence is better than ‘um’ and ‘em’. Don’t be afraid to say you have to think about it if you’re not live.
You want to have a strong eye line to camera. Don’t look up, down or away if you’re unsure. This can make the audience think you’re avoiding the question.
Breathe Deeply and Stop Apologising
At the latest broadcasting training, Professor Ros Steen led a voice workshop. Ros believes “the voice is deeply connected to who we are.”
It was remarkable to listen to our voices at the beginning and end of Ros’s workshop. We all did a short speech at the start. Almost all of us apologised at some point. Apologising for imperfection is totally unhelpful when we are trying to present ourselves confidently. We need to stop apologising.
Ros said: “Other people can’t give you confidence, it’s an inner thing. People can compliment you and encourage you, but you need to conquer confidence yourself.”
She went on to explain: “Real confidence comes from the inside and the ability to stand in yourself and transmit who you are and what you have to say from there. Some of your transmission will be conscious but some will be unconscious, and we need to become aware of those aspects by working on ourselves, our body and our voice.”
She also talked about how the voice works; the voice comes from the whole body, not simply the throat.
Voice is part of the muscular system of the body. How the voice is held and used automatically affects how it sounds. How we breathe is crucial. It is the support for our vocal tone – what our voice is carrying as opposed to what our voice is saying.
Clearly, there is so much more to a great media interview than words. As well as impacting our speech, body language speaks volumes. For example, when you’re slouched and sitting making yourself look small, your body language is effectively telling people you’re not important. Instead, sit up straight and uncross your legs.
With pointers and practise you can master media interviews.
Catriona MacPhee has a list of women in the WIJ network who are available for media interviews as commentators and experts that we give to producers. Please get in touch with her if you would like added to the list. WiJ Scotland members are also able to add themselves to the online WiJ Scotland Members Directory. Get in touch with Wij Scotland to find out how: wijscotland@gmail.com