I write
this off the back of my appearance on the Channel 4 documentary series
Dispatches having just interviewed on their special episode going undercover
with the largest social networking platform; Facebook!
The
amount of praise and just all-round positive comments I’ve been getting has
been crazy and I’ve had so many people ask how I managed to stay so calm as I
appeared in my interview. It was questions like these, that have inspired this
post where I’ll be talking all about the best things to do when you’re having a
media appearance – no matter what the medium.
1.
STRUCTURE
YOUR POINT
Often
when you’re asked to interview with media, it’s about a particular – and often
controversial – experience/event/comment etc and they want to know your opinion
on the matter. It’s extremely important to not come across as argumentative
because that’s a quality that trolls (online bullies) will jump on as an excuse
to give you negative feedback. Staying true to yourself and your opinions in
pieces like this is very important and you need to go into the interview
thinking ‘they actually care about what I have to say.’ Not only is it the
truth (they wouldn’t be featuring you if they didn’t care what you have to say),
but it’s also validating and this, in turn, is a huge confidence boost that is
essential in doing media appearances. If you already have an idea on the
questions you’ll be asked then take the time to think about your answers prior
to the interview; I wouldn’t recommend actually planning the answers and
writing them down because often that looks too forced and makes for an
uncomfortable interview. Depending on the medium you’re working with, it might
be important to make your message and the key thing that you want the audience
to know, very clear and concise so that it will hopefully make it through the
editing process.
2.
DON’T
FORGET: THEY EDIT
I remember my first appearance on BBC national
news and we’d done hours of filming to have edited down to about ten seconds! It
was the first time I’d experienced the editing process (previous appearances
e.g. MADE in Tyne and Wear, BBC Midlands radio, The Chronicle, Daily Mail
Online, and Take A Break all kept the entirety of my interviews with their
reporters) and I was – admittedly – a little bit heartbroken to see something
I’d put so much energy and passion into, be scrapped to ten seconds worth of
footage! After learning this though, and realising that this was very likely to
happen in future projects, I didn’t struggle so much when it did. With this in
mind, I was so happy with the length of time I had on Channel 4’s Dispatches! I
think that I probably put too much value into the length of time as opposed to
the impact and importance of what is actually being said.
3.
DON’T
BE AFRAID TO MAKE REQUESTS
Over
time, I’ve learnt that it’s ok to actually request that something is done – or
not done, in my media feature. Personally, I felt like I had to earn this
right, but looking back; I’d say that you’re entitled to this. If what you’re
saying and doing is so important to the organisation/platform then they’ll
accommodate any requests, you might have. Obviously, this doesn’t include
things like ten bottles of sparkling water or puffed up settee cushions! But
things like ‘can you use this picture of me please?’ and ‘will you edit that
bit out please?’ are understandable and – in my opinion - acceptable. Speaking
to the media can leave you feeling quite vulnerable so it’s important to do
whatever you can to be more comfortable and confident.
4.
DE-BRIEF
I
understand everyone is different and that for some people, speaking publicly or
interviewing, might come naturally; but – at times - it’s been incredibly hard
for me. Blogging about my mental health seemed to come naturally as I’ve always
been a write but I never, for one minute, thought that my blog would end up
being featured in the press. Opening up about your mental health or a
particularly hard time in your life can be destabilising as it could lead to
triggers and reminders of that time in your life. If it’s something that you
hadn’t thought about for some time it’s reasonable to say that talking about it
can impact on your mental health. Even if you think it hasn’t, it’s important
to talk to someone who can support you after the media appearance so that they
can help rationalise any unhealthy thoughts or emotions that may come from
talking about some of the worst times in your life.
5.
FIND
A MOTIVATION
I’ve never been one to blow my own trumpet so
being interviewed on all of my accomplishments, the opportunities I’ve had, and
the huge steps of progress I’ve made in my mental health recovery and the
popularity of my blog; was difficult. In the end though, I’ll be the first one
to say that my blog is my greatest achievement in life and to hear that I’ve
helped people from writing about my mental health and the trauma I experienced,
has been a helpful motivation in convincing me to do media appearances. I always
want to better I’m NOT Disordered and if talking to the media will do this,
then I’ll throw everything I have into
it.
MISSED THE SHOW?
WATCH IT NOW ONLINE :
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/inside-facebook-secrets-of-a-social-network