Our routines were disrupted when the world as we know it paused earlier this year, but somehow, we have figured out how to (successfully) traverse a new normal, balancing the demands of our “day” jobs with the 24/7 responsibilities life, home, families and pets also require. Whew! It’s okay to take a breath – You’ve earned it.

Thanks to the magic of the internet and virtual meeting rooms, set up through Zoom, Teams, WebEx (pick your platform), nearly every industry has found new ways to virtually connect, while maintaining a safe, social distance. Whether we realize it or not, these digital meeting rooms are also teaching us techniques to help us improve communications skills, verbally, non-verbally, and even how we interact with the news media.

Verbally, we’ve learned how to be more succinct and efficient with our word choices. I bet more than a few of us have already reduced our “ah” and “um” count.

From a nonverbal perspective, we’ve become more self-aware. You might feel a little bit uncomfortable watching yourself on camera to begin with. Where do I look? Does my hair look okay? Ugh, why did I just make that face? Wait, does that mean I actually make that face in-person? Good grief. Sound familiar?

Regarding media interactions – even if you don’t regularly interface with the media in your role right now – you’re learning valuable skills that will help you shine the next time a reporter comes calling.

What will – and will not – fly as an excuse for being unable to do an interview has changed. Not having time isn’t one of them. We’re all just a call – and a good internet connection – away from an interview request.

Thanks to the magic of the virtual video chats, there are seven simple steps you can take behind the screen to ensure success when the record button is rolling.

As a former television news producer, admittedly, I watch the news with a more critical eye than the average bear. The following seven tips were curated from interviews I’ve watched recently.

Disclaimer: In May, Strategic Communications, LLC president Crystal DeStefano hosted a virtual panel discussion with the Central New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and three Syracuse-based journalists. The discussion was focused on how public relations professionals can be helpful to the media in pitching COVID-19 and non-COVID stories. Brad Vivacqua, a reporter at Spectrum News shared that computer screens and laptop screens are widely preferred over phones for video interviews. The following tips are written with this advice in mind.

Pro Tip: In the event your interview is LIVE, if there’s a TV in the room where you’re recording, resist the urge to put on the channel that will be airing your interview. If there’s a delay by even a nanosecond, it might throw you off your A-game.

Pro Tip: Don’t go overboard. If you regularly prepare Talking Points, you already know your organization inside and out, and you naturally know the most important components of your message. Save the sticky notes for what may not come as easily. Think about your goals for the interview as you write your sticky notes and try to limit yourself to three reminders.  

Pro Tip: When possible, add depth to your background. Don’t sit right up against the wall, try to move yourself out by two to three feet. If you choose to position yourself in front of a bookshelf, make sure it’s not too cluttered. Bonus points if you’re able to put something related to the interview in view.

Pro Tip: Zoom also allows users to insert their own backgrounds as images (Account Settings – Account Profile – Background Image – Upload New Image). Use this to your advantage. Pop up your company logo, a scene related to the organization you represent, or create a background, showcasing a product sample on a neutral colored palette.

Pro Tip: If you need to raise the screen, books make a great leveler.

At the end of an interview, most reporters will ask: “Is there anything else you’d like to add?” Use this opportunity to reiterate the most important thing you hope they’ll take away from the interview. This is your ‘Elevator Pitch’ moment, but in reverse. Often, this will wind up being your best soundbite and the most natural pick for the reporter to use. It’s also helpful if someone other than the reporter ends up editing the story for air.

With free video conferencing tools readily available, we encourage everyone to be taking advance of the opportunities to practice these tips. It will help make you more comfortable doing virtual interviews with the media, it will help boost your confidence for in-person interviews when they resume, and it will help boost your organization’s reputation.

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