What Producers Really Look for in an Interview Guest

You’ve landed a media opportunity – awesome! But getting booked is just the beginning. The real question is: Will producers want you back? Because the key to repeated media opportunities isn’t just nailing it once. It’s also important to develop relationships with the folks in charge. 

Producers are the gatekeepers of TV and digital media. Their job is to create compelling segments that keep audiences engaged. That means they have to look for more than just expertise. They need guests who can deliver information in a way that’s clear, engaging, and worth watching. They’ve got to make good TV! 

So, what makes someone a go-to guest? Here’s what producers really look for and how you can make you check all the right boxes.

1. A Clear, Concise Message

We don’t want to hurt your feelings here, but just being knowledgeable isn’t enough. If it takes you two minutes to get to the point, you’ve already lost the audience. Producers want guests who can deliver sharp, digestible soundbites, not long-winded explanations.

So what should you do instead? 

• Have three key points you want to get across. No more! 
• Keep answers short and punchy (think 30-45 seconds per response).
• Use plain language. Skip the jargon and technical details.

A good producer knows that an interview guest who stays on message makes their job easier. This is not the place to prove you know all the big words. The clearer you are, the more valuable you become. 

2. Strong On-Camera Presence

Everyone’s seen someone on TV who looked terribly uncomfortable, right? It doesn’t matter how brilliant your insights are if you look nervous, stiff, or disengaged. Nine times out of ten, audiences will notice – and tune out. Poor posture, fidgeting, or avoiding eye contact can make you seem unsure of yourself, which can undermine your credibility.

To avoid being someone’s example of what being uncomfortable looks like, there are a few things you can do. First, concentrate on maintaining good posture. It instantly makes you look more authoritative. Sit (or stand) with confidence. Don’t shrink yourself! 

Also be sure to keep your gestures natural and controlled. Try your best to avoid excessive hand movements or nervous habits like picking at your cuticles. It’s distracting and it comes across as discomfort.

Finally, be sure to engage with the camera like you’re speaking directly to someone you trust and respect. Ultimately, producers want guests who command attention without Commanding Attention, if that makes sense. The more comfortable and confident you appear, the more likely you are to be invited back. 

3. Energy That Matches the Show

A guest who speaks in a flat tone, trails off, or lacks enthusiasm for what they’re talking about makes for flat-out bad television. If you seem bored, why would anyone else pay attention to what you’re saying? 

Match your energy to the tone of the show. (This requires you to do one of the absolute basics: WATCH THE SHOW first!) If it’s PBS NewsHour, don’t show up with the same energy you’d bring to a fourth-hour Today show appearance.  

Also, pay attention to your vocal tone and make sure you vary it from time to time. That keeps your message engaging, keeping viewers tuned in. 

Finally, bring passion and confidence to what you’re saying! People want to hear from someone who believes in their message. Producers aren’t looking for over-the-top enthusiasm, but they do want someone who adds energy to the conversation, not drains it. 

4. The Ability to Handle Tough Questions Smoothly

Guests who get visibly flustered, or who go off the rails when they get a little pushback, are not on the list of producer’s favorites. They want guests who can handle pressure. If you get thrown an unexpected question and stumble, dodge, or panic, it weakens your authority.

One way to stay cool, calm and invited back is to prepare for difficult questions ahead of time. This way you’re not caught off guard. It also demonstrates that you take media opportunities seriously enough to put in some prep work. 

What if you’re hit with a question you don’t like or don’t know how to answer? That’s where you bridge back to your key points. (Once you learn this technique, you’ll spot it everywhere.) For example, “That’s an interesting question. But what’s really important here is…” 

The most important thing? Even if the interview takes a turn, confidence is everything! Producers LOVE a guest who can roll with the punches while staying both professional and on message. 

5. A Guest Who Understands Time Constraints

A TV segment is not a lecture. Time is always limited, and producers need guests who can deliver high-value insights in a short window. If you tend to talk in circles, we regret to inform you, you won’t get invited back.

Here’s how to stay on top of the clock and make a producer’s day: 

• Stick to tight, structured responses; make your point quickly.
• When in doubt, end on a strong note rather than trailing off.
• If the host needs to move on, follow their lead without pushing to say more.

A great guest knows how to deliver impact in small windows of time. That’s what makes them producer-friendly. 

Want to Be a Producer’s Favorite Guest? Train for It.

Producers want an expert who knows how to deliver a compelling interview. The good news is this is a skill you can develop – and we can help! 

In our VIP Media Training Day, we teach professionals how to:

✔️ Sharpen their message so it’s crisp, clear, and memorable

✔️ Master on-camera presence to exude confidence and authority

✔️ Handle tough questions without getting thrown off

✔️ Speak in soundbites producers love

A single great interview can open the door to more media opportunities as long as you’re ready for them. Let’s make sure you are.

Give us a call to book your VIP Media Training Day!