Tips on what to do when you're on a talk show
1. Remember, you're on television. Appearance is everything. Your audience will oftentimes judge you on how you look as much on what you say. This doesn't mean, of course, that you have to look and dress like a model. It doesn't mean you have to be beautiful or handsome or dressed in the latest fashions. It does mean that when it comes to your hair and your clothing it is best to draw attention away from these things rather than to them. You actually want people to think of your hair and dress as little as possible. You've got a story to tell, information to give. You're not there to sell a shirt a new brand of shampoo. Therefore, it is best to think of acting conservatively when it comes to hair and dress. That bright red shirt in your closet may look great on the street, but with a television camera trained on you it may be a very different matter. That hairstyle that sets you apart at work may distract your audience on television. Try to appear in a way that will inspire trust in your audience. You want them to think, "This is a person not too different from me. I think I want to listen to what they say."
2. When you're on a talk show you want to remember your body language. Your body language on a talk show will say a lot about you. We've all seen talk shows where the guest slumps over, or twitches nervously, or plays with their hair. These things are all no-no's when it comes to appearing on a talk show. Sit up straight, look your interviewer in the eye. Don't act nervously. Don't touch your hair, your face, don't jog your leg up and down or play with your watch. These things can be very distracting on a talk show. You're there to present your message. You don't want the audience on a talk show to become agitated by the sight of your agitation. Try to calm down, try to relax. If you sit casually yet confidently, if your body remains straight and alert, the talk show audience will relax and feel confidence in you.
3. Before you go on the talk show, know what you're going to say. Usually, you'll be able to discuss this with the talk show host beforehand. Be prepared for all sorts of questions. Remember that talk show hosts want to make their talk show exciting and entertaining. This may mean that they'll try to surprise you. Know your subject in and out, try to have solid opinions on the various items of the day. Speak slowly and clearly, articulate your thoughts as intelligently as possible. At the same time, try to speak like the average man and woman does. Don't try to impress the talk show audience with your vocabulary; they'll soon tire of trying to listen to you. Be friendly, laugh, be pleasant. Being moderate about things will often win people to your side. On a talk show, the balance between being moderate and yet being passionate about your ideas and causes is often hard to achieve. It can't hurt to practice in a mirror beforehand, to practice with friends. Have friends come up with questions, have them try to surprise you.
4. If you're going on the radio rather than television, the visual aspects of what's written above don't apply to you. But you'll have to concentrate on speaking clearly and being straightforward more than ever. Clearing your throat, saying "um" a lot - these things will get you in trouble on a talk show on the radio. Try to stick with words, make as few of the senseless sounds that you make in normal conversation as possible. You may want to try recording your voice beforehand to see how you sound and what your habits are.
