Forum Moderators: open
(If I am a "miserable failure" it most likely won't.)
The interview will deal with a topic that is related to one of my websites. It is a topic that provokes strong feelings and sharp opinions.
I don't worry about possibly being hated by people who disagree with me, but I have to deal with the possibility that my performance in that interview in some degree may influence important decissions that other people take about their lives. I want to perform well so that whatever influence I may have will be positive. Any kind of spiritual or moral support will be appreciated.
1st: Wish for me that I may be completely honest and resist any temptation to manipulate facts.
2nd: Wish for me that I may have an open mind for facts that discomfort me and people with opinions that I dislike.
3rd: Wish for me that the interviewer may ask good and relevant questions.
4th: Wish for me that my voice may work well. In a radio interview your voice is important and mine is a very sensitive (musical and measuring) instrument. And I never liked telephones.
5th: I am aware that every time you say or write something about any kind of topic you also tell something about yourself whether you try to or not. Wish for me that the person that I show the listeners may support my message instead of obscuring it.
Or to put the last point a bit more bluntly: Wish for me that I may sound less egocentric in the interview than I do in this thread. ;)
I know what you mean about sounding right in an interview... myself and a couple of other of the crew hauled a three month old body out of a 325 ft deep sinkhole in Ja the week before last, (at the behest of the Police). I was interviewed a few times, and cringed when I saw it on TV later. It's radio for you, so you could practice answering pretend questions, recorded on the computer, before you actually do the real thing. It might seem silly when you're practicing, but I bet it helps.
Even though I'll be sleeping during your interview, I'll be sure to dream of it :)
(1PM GMT = 1AM NZ time [I think])
I'm sure you'll do fine :)
Best of luck,
Sid
Yes, Stefan, hearing yourself in a loudspeaker or seing yourself on a screen can be a sobering experience.
--Stefan's advice most important. Be prepared, have your thoughts organized, make notes of important points that must be made.
--Try not to let the interviewer rush you. Take your time; if necessary take a deep breath or a "two count" before starting to answer a question.
--Don't try to say too much at once. Keep you answers limited to one or two thoughts or facts at a time. Let the interviewer follow up and draw you out (hopefully).
--Relax. No caffeine that morning. If you partake, maybe a glass of wine a half hour or so before the interview.
You're lucky that the interview will be by telephone. Mine was in the middle of Rockefeller Center and when the microphone was stuck in my face it was a bit disconcerting. Make the spot from where you will talk as comfortable as possible, have a glass of water at hand, etc.
And do take it as an "exciting challenge". It is, and you'll feel great afterwards.
Good luck!
Actually we ran into some problems so we will give it a try again friday at 10 local time (9 hours from now).
Bedtime now.
Break a leg.
Stef
And regardless of the questions asked, make sure your points are expressed well.
[edited by: Robino at 2:34 am (utc) on Feb. 20, 2004]
1. Dress for success - put on your most confident (and comfortable) clothes. When you look good, you feel good...even though they won't actually see you, it will help your confidence and they can hear that through your voice.
2. Make a little outline of the important points you want to get across. You probably know what the controvertial questions will be, answer them in advance with "quick" notes.
3. Remember...you are human just like they are...no one person is better than anyone else so don't feel intimidated.
4. Relax... you will be just fine :)
This particular topic like so many others has many different aspects, but the main differences of opinions come down to three questions that all may be answered with yes or no. And all eight combinations of yes and no do exist among people!
I have my own clear opinions of all questions, but I also do understand people who think differently about every one of those questions and I intend to show that. And I have something important to tell the journalist and the listeners that is not commonly known and that for a superficial look might appear to weaken my position on one of those questions.
I think that it actually strengthens me. It shows that my opinions are not automatic but carefully considered. And I honestly believe that this information should be known to people interested in the topic. After the interview I will finish an article for my website about this particular piece of information.
I believe that it is important when being interviewed about controversial topics that you give your opposition what credit they are due.
> Hope it went well
It did not. It went acceptably, nothing more. My voice was in bad shape (it still is) and it was difficult for me to put any sensible structure in what I said.
This was one of those cases where the interviewer and the interviewee have very different stories to tell. I might have said like somebody else once said (quoted from memory): "Your questions do not fit with my answers". But I do think that I did manage to make at least a few points.
And now I have something to write a new article about.
If you have a passion for your subject, it showed through even if your voice was not cooperating. Did you tape the interview so you could listen to it again? You may be are being too self critical:)
Pat yourself on the back for accomplishing something new and move on. Learn from it, improve it and next time you will be dynamite!
Give yourself that pat on the back that clearvision suggests, sounds like you earned it.
