Interview marketing, also known as a digital marketing interview, is a terrific way to discuss your products and services and present your organization as a thought leader in your industry. However, the more professional the presentation, the better your discussion will come across.
To help improve your presentation, here are 10 Tips for Effective Interview Marketing that should make your next interview a roaring success:
- Perform a pre-interview tech check: Click on the video link 15 minutes before your interview to see if the system is working properly. Many platforms provide a diagnostic test – letting you check your video and audio before the recording. Always take advantage of these diagnostic tools.
- Check your internet connection. Naturally, you want a stable internet connection when doing interview marketing. One way to ensure this is to turn off all other computers or devices using the same connection. The fewer devices online will make the connection more stable.
- Check the lighting. The best lighting for an interview is natural daylight. Try to be near a sunny window. Direct overhead lighting can sometimes be a distraction, so test the video with lights on and with the lights off. Also, lights on behind the camera will prove a distraction and can make you, the person being videotaped, harder to see. If using a light source on your desk, be sure it shines directly on your entire face. If lights are positioned incorrectly, one side of your face may appear bright and the other side dark.
- Angling the camera. Some computer cameras are placed at the bottom of the monitor. This is not a suitable location because it invariably results in your looking down on the viewers. It’s better to have the camera positioned at the top of the monitor. That way, you can look up. Also, don’t be too close to the camera. The viewer should see your head and shoulders.
- Check the background. The backgrounds available on some video platforms can be distracting. Sometimes, the best backgrounds are pictures you’ve taken, for instance of an office setting. If using home or office backgrounds, check it thoroughly before the taping begins.
- What to wear. It’s common for people to wear a nice top, like the part we see in the video, but pajama bottoms below. It’s often best to dress up from top to bottom for interview marketing. Dress as you would if you were presenting your discussion live to a group. Why? It makes you feel more professional; the more professional you feel, the more professional you will come across.
- Minimizing eyeglass glare. Because I wear glasses, this is an ongoing problem. Minimizing eyeglass glare takes experimentation. Try angling your camera/monitor. Move away from a window or turn down the light source. The experimentation process also educates you on the technical aspects of creating a video.
- What not to say. I’ve watched videos of some important and well-known people who use what are commonly known as cuss words in their presentation. These are inappropriate in a business video and should be avoided in all video presentations.
- Posture and eye contact. Sit up straight in your chair. Many people start leaning back in their chairs as they make their presentations. Sitting upright projects confidence and respect for your viewers. Regarding eye contact, always look directly at the camera, not at yourself in the monitor. Studies indicate that looking directly at the camera conveys confidence – which is what you want.
- Finally, smile. People like to see other people smile. It’s a door opener, a welcomer, and improves the chances that viewers will listen to what you have to say. Always smile when doing interview marketing.
Robert Kravitz is president of AlturaSolutions Communications LLC., a content publishing, video, and social media firm. The company works with B2B organizations, promoting the value of their products, services, and expertise. He can be reached at: robert@alturasolutions.com
AlturaSolutions Communications
