If you ever win a chance to get on the air, don’t blow it. A lot of people in recent history have had bad experiences with going live. Unless you’re a pro, the idea of going on air will most likely give you a fidgety feeling. But don’t go there unarmed. It’s natural to feel all jumpy. The idea of being on air is just too exciting. But read these tips for additional guidelines.

Research about the show. Read about the show’s target audience so you will know who is going to watch you.

Control your language, your body language and your non-verbal actions and gestures. Avoid being transparent on TV. Viewers can easily misjudge you for any sudden action or expression you do – twitching, frowning, smirking, etc. Your goal is to pay attention to the person interviewing you. Try to keep a neutral face for the most part of the show.

Give out an appropriate energy level. If the host is lively, you don’t want to stand out as stiff. Depending on your host’s energy level, blend in and be casual or formal, depending on the topic.

One of the problems of being on air is being carried away when talking. Of course you want to answer substantively, but air time is limited so be brief but informative. Or, you can take cues from the host when he’s hinting that you’re talking a bit too long.

Connect with the audience. It’s hard to think of viewers when the host is the person you’re talking to. But TV is really for the viewers, so try to address them. The host is there to help you get your message across.