0911 – Your Guests’ Nerves

2023.06.30 – 0911 – Your Guests’ Nerves

Don’t forget the guests

They get nervous too. The presence of a microphone can cause some people to panic. Perhaps that’s not surprising in some situations: pouncing on an unsuspecting member of the public in the street, shoving a microphone in their face and asking them intricate questions about the international monetary fund is sure to make someone clam up and run off!

Studio or podcast guests may suffer similar anxiety, either a member of the public or an expert in their field. Those more used to a board room or lecture room are sometimes terrified of facing a microphone or a camera for the first time. It might be to do with their words being recorded electronically and for posterity, it might be that they don’t know where to focus their attention. Where is the lens on the camera, or if they should ignore it, and how to connect with someone (or lots of ‘someones’) who they can’t actually see.

It is perhaps understandable that they may be a bit overwhelmed by a studio situation, the lights and the mics … and then ‘chew them up and spit them out’ way that some producers ‘process’ their guests on a live show.

Add if they react like that, they won’t be giving their best answers in their best voice.

·        A relaxed environment will get the best out of them

·        Clearly and calmly explain what’s going to happen and what you’d like from them

·        Give a basic explanation of the recording process

·        Let them know the right sitting posture, and distance from the mic, not to touch the mic or the stand, turn away from it to cough and so on

Offer them a glass of water so that they can take sips if they feel dryness in their mouth

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