I know that the way to grow your group is to get an article in the paper or get on the news, so after several years of thinking that would be a good idea, I finally emailed the lady at "Colorado and Company", a local daytime show that does 10 min. snip-its on local goings on, and low and behold I am signed up for next Tuesday, so I know some of you guys have done TV interviews in the past, any advice? (besides make sure your fly is up)
db
Sounds good.
Read your release, if you don't like it talk about it with the segment producer. Ask to see the piece before it airs and stay away from politics and religion. Not to mention try not to be funny. It may come off as nervous or even irritating to others. You want to project a committed father not a frustrated comedian.
Best of luck!
Be Seeing You.
DB,
TV interviews can be tricky. Unless you're really quick on your feet, I'd spend a few minutes beforehand writing down your answers to the typical questions a reporter might ask. It might help get your thoughts together and help you relax during the interview.
For example: Why did you become an AHD?
What is the hardest/most rewarding part of being an AHD?
etc.
Of course, you could always get questions like the ones below. These are actual questions asked of me by a reporter at the Chicago Reader magazine:
-What makes SAHDs rock so hard?
-What's the best Father's Day gift you've ever received?
-Who'd win in a parenting face-off: Tony Danza of WHO'S THE BOSS or Alan Thicke of GROWING PAINS?
-Who would you want to play you in a sitcom about your life?
I knew I was in trouble when the reporter said that he was also the comedy editor. Luckily, it wasn't a live interview because I'd never seen a full episode of GROWING PAINS and couldn't remember any FDay gifts that I'd received.
Good luck!
Jim
That was funny. Also, make sure your nose hairs are trimmed. :) Otherwise, these other guys have already given you pretty good advice. Especially if you can find a friend to practice-interview you.
However, as a former newspaper editor, I would say that you probably won't get a chance to edit or review what you said. Fifteen years ago, that used to be taboo -- giving the interviewee too much control over a news piece.
So, okay, I guess I do have a suggestion, for what it's worth: Get it right the first time, and if you don't say what you mean, be bashfully honest and forthright and simply say "I'm sorry, I'm a little nervous, what I meant to say is..." That's what I would do.
But I bet that you will do best to just be yourself. And I think you are going to be awesome.
One thing Doc. Rochlen and Rebeldad didn't do in their Today show interview, which I have reminded them about, that every at-home dad should do when interviewed....
MENTION THE CONVENTION!!!!!
Thanks, good luck.
Please be yourself and;
0. Be thankful for the opportunity to give your opinion
1. If you feel nervous, say that at the beginning
2. If you feel out of your shoes, imagine them naked
3. You are on control all the time, you are the one who is running the house and taken care of the children.
Some possible questions:
1. Why a good looking guy, like you, decided to stay at home?
2. Was that a difficult decision?
3. How is a day in the life of a S@HD?
4. How was the reaction of your friends and relatives?
5. There is any kind of support for dads that decided to be S@HD?
6. Do you consider yourself a soccer dad? (or whatever direct comparison with moms they can make)
7. How do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
8. Do you have any regrets from been a S@HD?
9. How is your relation with the moms groups?
10. Where can other men get more information about been at home dads? (please do mention the site and the convention)
11. What advise can you give to couples with kids, where one of the partners wants to stay at home?
Hope this can help you a little.
Good Luck!!
======================
Congratatio pro erudio et auxilium
Itux
It's coming up fast! We know you'll do great! Anyway you can post the interview segment on here (or at least put a link to it) so we can all see it? Again, good luck!
Check out my ramblings on life at http://www.sahdguy.blogspot.com/
I believe they have a Uke-Detector at the door though (had troubles with it in the past). The sample questions have really helped me out. I will let you know how it goes!!
db
Father of three,
Mac (6), Tavie(4), and Buddy(3)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Denver_Dad/
I haven't seen a video tape of it yet, but I think it could have gone better. At the last second they asked if the kids wanted to sit on stage with them, and Buddy got kind of giggly so it was a little difficult for me to stay focused, but I am most likely over thinking it, I hit most all of the points I wanted to get to. I mentioned athomedad.org but the interview was over before I got a chance to mention the convention. So we will see what affect it has on the membership. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
db
Father of three,
Mac (6), Tavie(4), and Buddy(3)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Denver_Dad/
Joined: 2006-11-12
Dad Points: 502