Have you ever heard of an aircheck? For radio and tv professionals, this is listening or watching back a recording of a program, segment or interview. Media do it to figure out what they did well, what they could do differently next time, and what they need to stop doing.
Airchecks can be an excruciating task, particularly if you are new to media. It is confronting to listen or watch back and recognise those affectations we all have. On radio, maybe you click your tongue when you’re starting a sentence. Maybe you use lots of filler words, like, you know? Or maybe you stumble on your words when you’re nervous.
For our experts – the ones who are just starting out and even the most seasoned professionals – the aircheck is one of the most crucial things you can do, to improve your performance.
And if you cringe when you listen or watch yourself back, those moments indicate exactly what you can work on. Here’s some of the cringiest interview habits, and how you can avoid them for next time.
- In a radio interview, don’t start off by greeting the listeners. Lots of people make this mistake… “Hello John and good morning to your listeners.” Presenters and hosts don’t like this, because the host is speaking to each listener as an individual, and addressing listeners as a group breaks down the parasocial relationship between a radio presenter and the one listener. Just greet the person you’re talking to and get stuck into the interview.
- Manners will get you a long way in interviews. Avoid cutting off the host or butting in. An interview is in equal parts about listening and talking – it’s a tennis match and the repartee is the performance of radio. The aim is to listen well to the question and answer well in response. Listening in the moment is supported by pre-preparing well for an interview. Prep will help you to know your stuff and frees you up to go with the flow of the interview.
- Add value – people in radio talk about the word economy – get across what you want to say with some pizzazz but no fluff. And avoid at all costs the politician response – we’ve all heard it, when someone says a whole lot of nothing because they’re stuck on blurting out key messages. Don’t get too familiar – It can be really tempting to get friendly in the moment of a live interview when you’re having fun, but it’s best to keep it professional. Referring to the person you’re talking to as honey, love, darling or any other pet name is too familiar – it’s a firm no.
- If you’re doing a radio interview, it’s also a good idea to write down the name of the person who is interviewing you. A funny thing happens to your brain when you’re under pressure or feeling the pinch of nerves – you can second guess yourself and get it wrong! Before the interview, write down the name of the person interviewing you and keep it in front of you during the interview.
- Don’t sell – it can be very embarrassing listening to an uninvited sales pitch that plugs a product or service in an interview. The person interviewing you might ask where people can find out more or how to get in touch, but if you don’t get the chance, don’t ever just inject your sales pitch.
- Know when to end an interview – take your cues from the host and notice when they are trying to wrap things up. Signals can be that a host or presenter starts to summarise your main point or thanking you for your time. No need to thank them on air, that’s the perfect opportunity for a sending an email after the chat and asking for a recording.
Mastering these tips can help you to cultivate a relaxed, natural radio voice. And then the next time you do an aircheck, you’ll be able to focus not on the cringe moments, but how to master your craft as an interviewee.
By Emily Morgan, Media Engagement Manager, Media Stable
