Page 115 - How To Sell Yourself

114 How to Sell Yourself
at home?” Begin your answer looking at the person who asked the question, and then gracefully glide toward the camera. But if you do that, be certain you know which camera to look at. One of the worst moments on TV news is when the reporter is looking at the wrong camera.
The same principle applies to the telephone caller. If you’re part of a call-in show, the producer, director, or stage manager will probably brief you before airtime. If no one tells you which camera represents the caller, ask. If you’re one of a group, as in a panel, make it a point to look at the moderator or another panel- ist—preferably the person who’s speaking. When it’s your turn, or if you interject, be sure to look at the person you’re talking to, answering, or interrupting.
When some other panelist is hogging airtime, don’t fall into the trap of a shouting match. Only a political junkie enjoys the Crossfire, Capitol Gang school of high-pitched, shrill, “I know better than you” school of TV performing. If you’re surrounded by these types, occasionally interject a good-natured comment such as, “Hello there, remember me?” or “How about another point of view?” An intelligent audience will wonder why the rude ones are ignoring you and may even wonder if the others aren’t actually afraid of hearing what you have to say. I really like it when the speaker responds to the professional interrupter with, “Let me finish, Joe,” or “Joe, you had your turn. Now let me have mine.”
When the show includes a studio audience, you have to be even more careful. The cameras have been arranged to shoot you from the perspective of the person who’s talking to you. So, your job is to look at the host, the audience, or the other panelist, who- ever is talking, or the one who invited you to speak. It’s an excel- lent rule.
Most of these ground rules apply when an interview is sched- uled for your office. If the crew includes a make-up person, let that person make you up. If not, you should get a quick lesson in make-up before the crew is scheduled to arrive and put on the simplest application.
The stand-up interview
For most of us, the toughest interview to handle is the stand-up interview. People are not at their best standing up on the street, at