You’ve agreed to do a video interview, and now you’re staring at your laptop wondering if you should write out answers, questioning where to sit, and asking whether anyone will notice that pile of books behind you.
Relax.
Most executives try to script everything, but it’s a big mistake. They aim for everything word for word, written out, ready to read, and then wonder why they sound like they’re reading a terms and conditions agreement on camera.
Obama’s team had a different approach for his long-form interviews. They prepared talking points and themes, not scripts. He knew the territory he wanted to cover but left room to actually respond to questions naturally. That’s the difference between sounding like a human and sounding like a press release.
Of course, prepare your key messages and know your stories. Understand what you want people to remember, but don’t write it all out. The moment you try to recall exact wording, you stop listening to the actual question being asked.
Your Setup Matters More Than You Think
The “quiet room, natural light, eye-level camera” setup isn’t complicated, but it makes an enormous difference. Yet somehow, executives still take interviews from dimly lit offices with the camera pointing upward.
Remember, natural light is your friend, so sit facing a window if possible, not with it behind you. If you’re doing this in the evening, get a decent light, or use ring lights or desk lamps.
Camera position is also crucial. Eye-level means eye-level, not laptop-on-desk level where you’re looking down at everyone. Stack some books under your laptop or get a laptop stand. Looking slightly down at the camera makes you seem condescending, even when you’re not trying to be.
And always remember to clear your background. That cluttered bookshelf or the random pile of stuff isn’t “authentic;” it’s distracting.
Body Language and Delivery
Research shows that nonverbal cues account for roughly 55% of how your message is received in video communication. You could be saying something brilliant, but if you’re slouched in your chair looking vaguely uncomfortable, that’s what people remember.
Sit up straight, but not rigidly. Lean in slightly when making important points as it conveys engagement. Use your hands naturally when you talk, but keep them in frame.
Of course, eye contact is tricky on video. You want to look at the camera when making key points, not at your own face on the screen. It feels strange at first, but that’s what creates the sense of connection with whoever’s watching.
The Technicalities
Always remember to test your audio before you start. Most people will tolerate slightly fuzzy images, but they’ll click away from terrible sound almost immediately. A simple external microphone makes a huge difference, and you can get a good one quite affordably.
Platforms like Intervou often handle the technical setup for you, which takes a lot of the stress away. But it’s still worth doing a quick tech check, including your Internet connection, whether your audio is working, and that your camera isn’t frozen on an unflattering angle.
The Most Important Part
Finally, remember to be yourself. People can tell when you’re performing versus when you’re actually engaging with the topic. Authenticity is the number one factor that determines whether thought leadership content resonates.
Don’t try to sound like how you think a CEO should sound. Just answer the questions like you’re talking to a smart colleague over coffee. That’s what platforms like Intervou are designed to facilitate-actual conversations, not performances.
Your expertise is already there. You already know your stuff. The interview isn’t a test you need to pass; it’s just a conversation where you get to share what you know with people who want to learn from you. Once you internalise that, everything else becomes significantly easier.