While I rarely meet a stranger and love talking and making new friends, I am terrified of public speaking! My palms get clammy, and I start to “glisten” because in the South, we ladies do not sweat; we glisten. I recently had the exciting opportunity to make a second appearance on Houston Life, essentially Houston’s version of the third hour of the Today show.
Yep, you read that right, I had already tackled this fear once and needed to gear up for another round. I love the chance to share my passion for design and help inspire others, BUT that still doesn’t settle my nerves! I’d like to share how it works and what it takes to prepare for live TV.
Today, I wanted to take you behind the scenes of what it takes to prepare for a live on-air TV segment. You might think this doesn’t apply to me. We all have something to prep for, whether just an overall fear of public speaking that is keeping you from tackling a project or an important business presentation you have been delaying. I hope to share my preparation process, which will guide you in taking on something that makes you uncomfortable, growing, and tackling that fear.
ORGANIZE & SIMPLIFY
Take time to organize your thoughts. Spend time writing, re-writing, and organizing your thoughts until you get a clear step-by-step list of what you want to convey. Next, tackle each point just as you did prior until it is clear and concise. The more you work each step/point down to a simple thought-out concept, the more comfortable you will be in conveying YOUR message. Don’t overcomplicate, keep your wording true to you. Don’t feel that because you are “on stage,” you need to change who you are.
PROPS & DEMO DISPLAYS
For me, I prefer doing a TV segment with home décor props and a demonstration, keeping my hands busy and guiding me through my talking points. Practice makes perfect, and there is no more accurate statement when preparing for live TV. Practicing will reveal if a particular part of your segment doesn’t come off naturally or if an item doesn’t work when trying to demo it. It gives you time to redo and edit until you get it down perfectly.
WHAT TO WEAR
Do your homework and research what past guests have worn on the show. Let this guide your outfit selection. You do not want to come over- or under-dressed. When selecting an outfit for television, there are a few key guidelines to follow.
Selecting solid and bright colors is a must, so you don’t appear washed out. You want to avoid wearing white as it doesn’t show up great on camera, and busy prints or stripes can be distracting. Comfort is key. The last thing you want is to be fidgeting with a top with a too low cut or heels that you have never worn before. I decided on black jeans and a plum blouse, paired with a neon blazer.
SHOP MY LOOK
TV MAKEUP
TV makeup is always a little hard for me. Day to day, I don’t wear a ton of makeup, and even when I do, I prefer a more subtle look. BUT when preparing for TV, you need a more dramatic/heavier look. I did my own makeup but got a touch-up from the on-set makeup artist after my rehearsal to ensure I was camera-ready.
SHOP BEAUTY FAVORITES
Lastly, my biggest piece of advice when preparing for live TV is to stay TRUE to yourself. They invited YOU and the brand that you represent on their show. Meaning they already like you and know that you are great at what you do.
We often feel uncomfortable telling others about our talents and gifts when referring to ourselves, but you shouldn’t! God has given a gift, and you have a platform to inspire others to follow their dreams and create something they didn’t know was possible. Never let fear hold you back; do the work, prepare for live TV to the best of your ability, and nail it!
Thoughts?
YOUR COMMENT