Making Sure Your At-Home Setup Is Ready for a Day of Media Coverage

By Mark Murphy

In a post-COVID world, broadcast interviews are increasingly conducted remotely. This shift benefits broadcasters, who can now feature a wider range of guests on their programmes—whether on TV or radio.

It’s also good news for interviewees. They can share their expertise and insights with large audiences from the comfort of their own chosen location.

That said, before joining a national TV interview or your local BBC radio show, it's vital to ensure your home setup is professional and reliable.

Internet Connection

Before your media day, choose a location with a strong, reliable Wi-Fi connection. It may seem obvious, but if you’re live on-air and your internet drops out, the broadcaster might not be able to bring you back on, as the news cycle is ever changing.

Even for audio-only recordings, platforms like Zoom rely heavily on your internet connection to process and save conversations smoothly. So a stable connection is essential, regardless of the format.

Visuals & Background

Your background communicates a lot before you’ve said a word. Aim for a tidy, professional setting. A well-organised bookshelf or a neutral wall often works well—something visually appealing but not distracting.

Whilst it may seem obvious, do not do your interviews in loud and public spaces like a train station or an airport.

Avoid cluttered areas, people walking past, or poor lighting. Good lighting should clearly illuminate your face without creating shadows or glare. This ensures you—and your brand—appear professional.

Audio

Audio quality remains crucial, even with the shift to virtual interviews. You want to be heard clearly on both TV and radio.

A high-quality USB microphone is a worthwhile investment and is available at a range of price points. However, many modern laptops have decent built-in microphones, so it’s not essential if purchasing one isn’t feasible.

The key is to test everything in advance. On Zoom, for example, click the microphone icon in the bottom-left corner to check your input and output devices. Make sure the correct microphone is selected and listen to a test recording to hear how you sound.

Other Considerations

Location: Even with a strong internet connection, a noisy environment can undermine your message. Choose a quiet space with minimal background noise, that includes rooms with fans and loud air conditioner systems.

Avoiding Interruptions: Let others in your household or workplace know when your interview will take place and how long you expect it to last. If possible, close and lock doors, and do what you can to prevent interruptions from children, pets, or colleagues.

Ready to get to work on your next broadcast PR campaign? Contact The Relations Group now!