Zoom Link

• You will have received a link when interview was scheduled through Calendly (once you confirm the appointment). If not, let me know and I can manually schedule it in Zoom.
• Add it to your calendar so you don't have to hunt for it the day of the interview. However, I will generally resend close to the date as a reminder. 
• If Zoom generated a password, it would be in the same email with the Zoom link.
• If you have any difficulty signing in, feel free to call or text me: 423-313-7741.
• I’ve allowed enough time in the hour slot to be able to chat and problem solve any sound or tech issues before we get started.
• If you are not familiar with Zoom, ask friends or relatives to send you an invite from their Zoom account (a basic version is free) so you can explore the platform before the interview.
  
  

Recording Device

• For most people, it is easiest to attend the interview from your computer if you have a camera on your computer.
• There is generally more space on a monitor to see Zoom controls, which may be easier to navigate for some folks.
• As another recording option, if you have a ring light with a stand (example on Amazon), then you can easily mount your iPhone on it and have sufficient lighting, ability to position the phone slighting above your head, and be hands free while on Zoom.
• However, if you do attend from a device (tablet, iPad, iPhone), position the device high enough so that you are either looking straight-on into the camera or that the camera is slightly above you (and you’re looking up slightly). This is generally the most flattering position.
• The least flattering angle is when the camera is below you (often happens when using a phone or other device) and you are looking down on it. Lighting is often blocked when looking down as opposed to up, as most folks either have lamps or overhead lighting in the room.
• While the current iPhones have remarkable picture and sound quality, it can be problematic for other reasons unless using a ring light with a foxed, stable stand. Attempting to hold the phone without a device means it is more easily vibrated or moved, which reduces recording quality. In addition, the controls are more difficult to find and use on a smaller screen.

Location

• Please place yourself in a location where you will not be disturbed for 30-45 minutes.
• Make every effort to reduce background noise (close the door to the room, close windows if near a street, turn off TV or radio, etc., and ask others in the household to be as quiet as they can or take this time to go run errands!
• You might be surprised what gets picked up from the background and we want as “clean” of a recording as possible for our summit, but also for you to have a good recording to use for your own purposes.

Lighting

• Please be thoughtful about lighting and ensure there is enough lighting around you so as not to create shadows on your face. Just do the best you can on this. Sometimes just moving a lamp closer or adding a lamp to your desk is all that is needed for improvement.
• Also be aware of backlighting. For example, if you back is to a window or another source of bright light, then we’ll see a dark silhouette and your face will be heavily shadowed.
• Facing the source of light is best. This is easily done with a ring light and stand if you have it available.
• We want our viewers to see your beautiful faces!

Sound

• Aside from creating a quiet environment for the interview so we can hear you and not have you distracted, sound quality is something else to consider.
• Most people have some version of earbuds, AirPods, or a headset that can be connected to their computer or device and that has a built-in microphone. These are recommended so that we don’t have the incredible “room echo” that happens when just talking into your computer or device microphone. If you don't own a headset, ask friends or family if you can borrow one as many folks already have this on hand.
• For our podcasters out there, you're likely to already have a decent microphone. By all means, use it!
• Remember that you may have to select sound/microphone source on the device and/or on Zoom when connecting your earbuds, AirPods, or headset. Sometimes this happens automatically and sometimes not.
• We’ll make sure everything is working correctly before starting to record.
• Again, the whole point is to make as quality of a recording as possible not just for the summit but for your later personal use.

Interview Style & Interview Content

• Remember that this is just a conversation! No need to be nervous. If you feel like you “really messed up” in the midst of the interview, just pause in place (remaining still), then start the question or response again and I can edit that section out very easily. Just make sure to remain still in the pause and then start again, which helps to get a  seamless edit). 
• NOTE: This is pretty rare -  not because everyone is “so professional” - but because once we get into a conversation, it is just that.
  • We stumble over each other and our words.
  • We pause to think.
  • We start a phrase then change in the middle of the sentence, etc.
  • This is all normal in a conversation!
  • So no perfection is needed and in fact, people relate to it much more when it feels like a natural conversation rather than a performance!

• I really just want you to tell your story and let listeners see who you are and the heart behind what you have created. You know your stuff better than anyone!
• While I may have questions in mind to ask, feel free to take off in any direction that you wish to communication information around. I have no predetermined script that we must fulfill.
• If it would make you more comfortable, we can prearrange a list of questions you'd like me to ask. I generally get a feeling for this during our initial connection call and by asking questions before we start on the day of the interview.
• The exception to this organic conversational style would be that I'll watch to want to touch on these:
  • BIO: At the top of the interview, I want to make sure listeners hear your background (where you grew up, education if relevant, current occupation) just to know you a bit more. You can say anything you want (as little or as much) about your background.
  • BOOK or PROJECT: At some point, we’ll want to cover your book or project, what motivated you to write to book or start your project, responses from readers/customers, etc.
  • SUMMIT TOPIC: I’ll want to tie your work/experiences to our summit theme. For example, for our Emotional Leadership summit, I asked speakers how their work/experiences:
    • Positively impacted their emotional experiences and that of readers/clients, etc., causing them to shift from negative emotional energy to positive energy?
    • Created a greater awareness of emotions and how to shift them in positive directions?
    • Caused them/others to utilize emotions in positive ways that impact daily life?
  • UPCOMING PROJECTS: If appropriate, what’s next for you? What are you currently working on?
  • FREE GIFT/OFFER: At the end of the interview, we’ll touch on what free gift/offer you’ve created, what it is, where to find it (link). I’ll also mention that the link to the gift will be in the same email as the interview link the listeners received.