Thread by @KevinSkrepnek

For obvious and very prudent reasons, we’re seeing an influx in Skype / FaceTime interviews on the television.

A lot of them look and sound...not great.

As someone who has done more Skype interviews with media than the average bear, some tips: (1/10) #COVID19 #FlattenTheCurve

- Whenever possible, use Ethernet (plugged directly in to your router or modem with a network cable), not WiFi. You may have “fast” WiFi speeds, but the packet movement of a wired connection works much better for Skype. (2/10)

- Consider your lighting. Try to position yourself so that you’re facing a window and natural light is hitting your face. It looks better, and the camera doesn’t have to work as hard at artificially increasing the brightness. This makes for a better connection. (3/10)

- Consider your background. Before you’re interviewed, go in to your settings and frame yourself properly. Avoid any background objects sprouting from your head. Avoid visual distractions. Distractions create “noise” that detracts from your message. (4/10)

- Place some key stats / figures / facts on a post-it and place it near the camera. This way, you can glance at them without looking “away”.

- Test your audio beforehand. Skype has a function for this (Echo Call Testing Service).

Speaking of audio... (5/10)

- If you have the capacity, PLEASE purchase a microphone. Ideally a lavaliere, clipped on so as not to be too visible and distracting. I prefer USB mics, myself. But, any external microphone will be an improvement over what’s built in to your computer, or your earbuds. (6/10)

- Prop your laptop up with something (Textbooks? Reams of paper? A cardboard box?) so that it’s higher, and ideally with the camera at an even level to your eyes. You can adjust the tilt of your laptop screen / camera as needed. (7/10)

- If you plan on doing these with any regularity, purchase a webcam. The Logitech C920 is the standard and fairly cheap. The quality is better, the compression is better, it has a built-in mic in a pinch, can tilt up and down, and will attach to just about anything. (8/10)

- Don’t move your head too much.

- There will inevitably be a delay between you and the interviewer. Don’t rush your answers, let their question “breathe” for a second. Speak in whole thoughts, but don’t get carried away. (9/10)

Some of these may seem frivolous. But, people are used to their TV looking and sounding a certain way. When it isn’t what they’re used to, it’s a distraction - which takes away from your (very important!) message.

Keep up the good work. We’ll get through this together. (10/10)

UPDATE: Some of your generous comments have jogged my memory, so bonus tips!

- If at all possible, stand up. Your posture and body language will benefit. This doesn't have to be a high tech set-up, we did 100s of Skype hits in 2017 from a laptop on top of a cardboard box.

- After you have framed yourself up, minimize the Skype / FaceTime window so you aren't distracted by seeing yourself, or your interviewer. Some networks actually black out their camera so that you aren't tempted to look at the interviewer. Always look at the camera.

- As best as possible, sanitize (pun intended) your surroundings. Mute phones (both cell and landline), close other programs on your computer, and ideally have yourself in a closed off space, with doors locked (queue BBC guy).

- As with most broadcast interviews, hold up for a few seconds after the interview has "ended", as you still might still be live and getting recorded. Sometimes a producer will come on and tell you that you're clear, but not always.

Good luck!