Back when I was in journalism school, I was assigned to interview a professor I didn’t know for a story that would run on the campus radio station. On interview day, I yelled and hyperventilated all over my dorm room – to the point where my roommate said something to the effect of, “Gosh, Lynne, if this is so stressful for you, maybe you should change your major.” I calmed down, did the interview – the prof was perfectly nice and, in fact, probably had more radio experience than I did – and did not change my major. Then I went on to spend twenty years in the news business, and only occasionally suffered the sort of panic I’d had before that first interview.
Mumbledy years later, as an indie author and years after leaving the broadcast biz, I was asked to be a guest on a podcast. Just before the show started, I yelled and hyperventilated all over my apartment, scaring both my daughter and the cat. The show went fine, of course. In fact, I had such a good time that I’ve done a couple of other podcast “guest shots” since then.
It’s only now that I realize that both times, I was simply nervous. And if it can happen to me, it can happen to you. Here are five ways to cope.
1. Breathe. Deep, cleansing breaths – not the shallow, fast, hyperventilating kind. The point is to calm yourself by taking in more oxygen, not make yourself pass out.
2. Have a cup of something warm: coffee, tea, hot toddy. The warm liquid will soothe your throat and relax your vocal cords. Don’t have so many hot toddies that you get silly, though. And be careful of the amount of milk in your drink, because milk can gum up your vocal cords to the point that you’ll be clearing your throat throughout the interview. A little cream in your coffee is okay, but I’d avoid, say, a latte. And definitely save the milkshake for after the interview is over.
3. Pretend you’re talking to your mom. Or, if Mom tends to be critical and unforgiving, then pretend you’re talking to your most supportive friend or family member. The vast majority of your listeners have no preconceptions about you, and no knowledge of what you did to the cat when you were in third grade or whatever. In fact, they’re predisposed to like you. No, really.
4. But what about the listeners who aren’t predisposed to like you? Screw ‘em. You can’t be everybody’s friend.
5. If all else fails, play a role. The thing that kept me sane for all those years in radio was that I felt I was conducting interviews as a representative of the station or network I worked for. In a way, I was an actress, playing the role of reporter. Now, when I sit on the other side of the microphone, I’m representing my writing business. It’s Lynne Cantwell, Indie Author, who’s talking to the listeners, and she’s a Very Interesting Person.
If you can do most or all of these five things, you’ll be fine. And the cat will be vastly relieved.
Great post, Lynne, I can so relate to this. After all these years in the public eye, I’m always nervous before speaking. Frank Sinatra said he was before all his performances and that it’s a sign of taking your craft seriously. Love the hot toddy idea!
I never say no to a hot toddy. 🙂 Thanks, Karen!
I’ve done four short radio interviews and actually enjoyed them, once I got over my butterflies. Most interviewers are really nice and already have some questions to ask or ask you to provide some. My TV bit was the same. They do try to put you at ease.
A good host will do that, absolutely.
Great post Lynne, but you are a day late and a dollar short on this 🙂 –where were you last week when I experienced my very first radio show. I didn’t rant, rave, scream and holler to scare the cat, but my 27 year-old son was wondering what we were talking about…was a Romance broadcast. I know I was nervous and I didn’t really talk much, can’t even remember what I was drinking. Oh wait, it was a “drink” but with just enough stuff (coconut rum) to put me at ease. I just hate hearing my voice though and always think if I don’t like it, no one else will. I do think I’d like to do more of them. Thank you
You’re welcome, Jacque, and sorry I was late. 🙂 Everybody hates hearing their own voice at first — including me. 😀
Great post. 🙂 I had a few butterflies before a Skype session with a book club a week ago and my husband said, “What in the world are you nervous about? You WROTE THE BOOK, for Pete’s sake. It isn’t as if you won’t know the answers!” That brought me back to earth. 🙂
Yeah, but there’s always the chance the interviewer will throw you a curve…. Sorry. I’ll shut up now. 🙂 Thanks, Melinda!
LOL, exactly! Plus, I wrote that particular book 5 years ago – I might have forgotten some things! 🙂
Thanks, Lynne. Appreciate the advice.
You’re welcome, Sandra. 🙂
Great post, Lynne! I’ll add one more to your points: have a sense of humor. Obviously, you’ve got that one covered 🙂
Funny you should say that. After my TV stint was done the hostess said she knew I was going to be fine when I laughed. It was nervous laughter but no one else knew that.
Aw, shucks, thanks! 🙂 And yes, a sense of humor is a big plus!
Thanks for the timely post. I’m planning on a radio interview in the near future and this will help.
I hope it helps, Lois. 🙂 Break a leg!
I’ve done five radio interviews, two by phone and three in the studio. The phone interviews were a breeze: I had lots of notes and prompts in front of me and so was very relaxed. The studio interviews, not so much, I was more nervous but I was lucky and had good, professional interviewers who kept me on track and made me feel at home.
Excellent article, Lynne.
Thanks, TD. 🙂 I was saying to someone earlier today that I prefer being in the studio, if only because it cuts down on the distractions. But most podcast interviews seem to be done by phone or Skype these days.
Excellent post. I haven’t been asked to do a radio interview (yet!) but my introverted self would get through it if the interview would interest readers in my books.
Lita, my interviews were a result of me approaching them. It’s unlikely they will approach you. Give it a shot. You may be surprised at the response.