It happens all the time. The most intelligent and colorful person blanks out when the camera starts to role because they suddenly realize every word is going to be scrutinized, and people are looking just at them. Suddenly they realize they aren’t making any sense, but they can’t stop themselves. It’s a common phenomenon, and it happens to almost anyone who isn’t an expert. How do you keep this from happening to you?

First, block all distractions. You have to focus. When you’re in a studio, there’s a lot going on that is extremely distracting. Just take a moment, with a deep breath, and focus yourself on the interview.

Second, before you sit in your chair, persuade yourself first, so that you can share your enthusiasm for what it is you’re going to talk about. Many people are not terribly confident in what they’re saying because they have this inner voice, this inner critic, that’s saying, “Yeah, but.” Therefore, they don’t want to overstate, so they compensate in the other direction and say something that’s pretty meaningless, that doesn’t have the umpf that it should.

And third, practice with a tape recorder before you ever get to the interview. You should sound mechanical or rehearsed, but just listen to yourself before you go out there so you will already have heard what you sound like.

Get more at How To Be A TV Show Host’s Dream Date.