Janet Perez Eckles
Hola from Janet Perez Eckles…Igniting Your Passion to Overcome
I was excited, I was prepared, and I was grinning at God’s grace to allow me to be on radio. Sound familiar? That was a couple of decades ago. And sitting behind that microphone, I began…and didn’t stop. Maybe I took a breath, maybe not. But my host might have been gasping, annoyed with my endless gab. I thought I had a killer interview, but instead I killed the audience’s interest. Then I figured out interviews that sing over the airways, and those that prompt a second and a third invitation, need refining.
10 Tips to Killer Interview Skills
- Prepare answers that ring with clarity, passion, and information. Before the interview, ask the host how he/she would like to be addressed. The moment I mention his/her name, I have a deeper connection.
- If you authored more than one book, make sure you know which one the host will be mentioning. Last week, I had the host ask about a chapter from a book that came out years ago. Gulp. So, since that wasn’t fresh in my mind, I smoothed the answer by saying, “I brought out that subject in that book, but I deepened the message in my latest book…”
- Tell stories, and tell more stories. I could say, “This is the way to overcome stress…” But when I relate a real-life scenario, the interest increases. So I begin, “Thanks for asking that question. Just this past week, my husband and I were having dinner and all of a sudden…”
- Make sure you pause after a clear thought has been completed. Rambling on loses the audience and makes hosts wiggle with annoyance.
- Have a powerfully prepared closing statement. Some hosts ask, “We have a couple of minutes. What can you share with our audience?”
- Insert sound-bytes. They are memorable, catchy, and leave a lingering message long after the interview. One of mine is “Limitations become obstacles only when we fail to tap into God’s limitless power.”
- If interviewed over the phone, stand up, smile, and project the voice.
- If the interview is live, consider the audience. If the interview is during rush hour, drivers will only have limited attention span as they’re watching traffic or dealing with kids in the back seat.
- With sincerity, and when it’s appropriate, thank the host for that question. “I wish more people would ask me that question,” I have said, or “Thank you for asking that…” A sincere compliment to a host goes a long way.
- Send a thank you note to the host. And when appropriate request a sentence or two about his/her reaction to you as his/her guest.
Here’s to your next killer interview that lives on with an impacting message, creating a hunger to read your books.
Janet
Contagious Courage by Janet Perez Eckles
Before Janet Perez Eckles became an international speaker, No. 1 Amazon best-selling author, life coach, master interpreter, and radio host, she faced complete blindness at 31 and endured other devastating tragedies.
And because of God’s grace, her days shine with victory, success and joy. This triumph translates into the empowerment and transformational message she imparts in her books and her presentations internationally before thousands. Want to know more? Here’s a 2-minute video for you to enjoy. And please visit Janet’s website.
Janet’s newest book: Contagious Courage: A 30-Day Journey to Overcoming Stress and Anxiety.
