Five Tips for Video Interviewees
You have just been asked to be an interview subject for your organization’s new video project, and if you’ve never been on camera before, this might bring up feelings of nerves or anxiety. At ASR, we are here to support you! Our producers have extensive experience helping our interviewees overcome the normal feeling of unease. Our goal is to help you present your best self on camera and effectively convey why your organization is important to you.
We have five simple tips to keep in mind as you prepare for your next video interview, designed to set you up for success in front of the camera.
1. Keep it conversational!
We recommend looking at your video interview as a conversation with a friend or family member. Instead of thinking of what you say as formal, rigid dialogue, consider it an opportunity to catch up with an old friend. In this scenario, that old friend is your ASR producer! Focus your energy on him or her, and imagine the camera isn’t there. These small mindset changes will help you appear more relaxed and natural on-screen.
2. Be prepared, but don’t memorize.
When entering the interview, know the key points you want to convey to the video’s audience. This will help you keep your answers on-topic and leave the interview satisfied with what you said. However, don’t overprepare. Word-for-word memorization can appear stiff and might stir up more stress and nerves. Knowing what you want to say but still speaking casually often creates the best results.
3. Don’t edit yourself – that’s our job.
We don’t want you to worry about mistakes while on camera. You don’t have to filter yourself or trip up about “ums” and “uhhs” – we will edit out any blips in the post-production process. Answers will be cohesive, seamless, and true to you. Mistakes are necessary on the road to the best take! Avoid answering “yes” or “no” so we have content to work with in the editing process. All questions from ASR producers will be open-ended, so this shouldn’t be a problem.
4. Be yourself - don’t hold back.
We want your personality to come to life through video, so don’t hold back. Speaking with intonation, smiling, and using hand gestures are all ways to appear relaxed as your true self on camera. Choosing an outfit that makes you feel comfortable and confident is another great way to help your personality shine through.
5. Go easy on yourself and enjoy the experience!
Finally, have fun! A video interview with ASR is a light-hearted opportunity to make mistakes, try new things, and communicate something important to you. When you enjoy the experience, it will be apparent to viewers and make your message even more impactful.
These simple tips will help you in your next on-camera interview with ASR Media. Our production team is available to answer any questions leading up to your interview – meet the producers here. We want to help you feel comfortable, prepared, and excited for your moments in front of the camera.
If you or your team are interested in starting a video project with ASR, contact us today.