Your e-business has generated enough buzz that your local TV station wants you for
evening news or a talk show? Congratulations! You've arrived.How do you prepare? Here are a few DOS and DON'Ts.
DON'T, if you are female, wear every bangle you own. The jangling will be picked up by your microphone and will be a) distracting and b) annoying. Ditto for dangling earrings. If you wear even "quiet" jewellery, DON'T play with it on camera.
DON'T skip makeup, even if you are a guy. The days when guests got made up by
makeup department before a TV appearance have gone
way of black and white TV. Even a color camera can make your skin look like a vampire's. DO Blend a little orangey-toned foundation (to combat nasty TV lights) over
your face, into your hairline and way down your neck below your collar line, then dab on a little (remember, guys, little) blush to
cheekbone and blend well. Add a little face powder to set
makeup and keep
shine from your face. Women, you can use a bit more blusher. You can also add natural tinted eye shadows (no bright blue!), eyeliner, mascara, lip liner and lipstick. Just be sure to keep
look natural and to finish with powder. Those lights can be hot, hot, hot.
DON'T wear white or stripes or patterns, as a rule. White will wash you out; stripes and patterns will create distractions. DO wear a solid colour outfit that makes you look good and is appropriate for your profession.
If you need glasses and you own glare resistant lenses, DO wear them.
DO sit up straight. You may slouch at home, but a TV studio isn't
place to repeat bad posture. DON'T fidget. Yes, you're nervous, but if you fidget you'll merely look unprofessional to your viewers. DO keep your hands folded in your lap. Gesturing too much will be an added distraction.