Impending radio interview.. advice please!

Re: Impending radio interview.. advice please!

Emily Nightingale — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:36:33 GMT

Thanks so much for all the advice! It was a breeze and I loved it!!!!! Really appreciated your help!

THANK YOU!!

Re: Impending radio interview.. advice please!

George Cooper — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:33:18 GMT

And one more thing!

It often helps YOUR reputation if you realise that the people phoning up are after peace-of-mind above all else. they're not really thinking you'll cure their pet!!

So if you major of all the soft supportive, non-scary things they will love you. You can't really go "Oh my God, it probably has a brain tumour and is gonna die before tea-time" in a screamy voice, much as you'd love to! Far better (IMHO) to sooth their troubled brow - and send 'em off to their vet qietly. No need to scare the proverbial out of them.

Re: Impending radio interview.. advice please!

Jacquin Mitchell — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:17:02 GMT

I used to do this years ago, when I was only 3-4 years out of school. I knew everything then; I think I'd find it much more scary now-lol.

I agree with the others, you can't really charge for it.

Ask a couple of questions even if you have made up your mind what your answer will be as soon as the question was asked, if you are going to say 'go see your vet' give a couple of possible diagnosises ( I used to give the best case and worse case scenarios) and use every opportunity to talk about preventative health.

I used to really enjoy it and would do it again in a flash, but am unlikely to be asked in the UK due to dodgy accent ;)

Jacq

Re: Impending radio interview.. advice please!

George Cooper — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:10:34 GMT

Hi Emily

Over the years for my sins I have been a part of local radio, both as a vet phone in and instant expert for a sound-bite on anything animally, and as part of their special broadcast team.

The secret is to realise that no-one is really judging you or your performance, and to use the platform to "preach the gospel' so to speak at every opportunity - teeth, neutering, healthy feeding (BG), vaccination and so on - all the stuff you'd do in the course of your normal day.

And always remember that you have the perfect fall-back, and that is to say that "this case is much too involved and potentially serious - you need to get down to your local vet real soon!" If anything is outside your knowledge (and you do NOT have to be an expert in everything) the admit it. And then get them to consult their vet, who will soon send them in the right direction.

It always helps to have a few anecdotes, both clinical cases and humorous stories, up your sleeve in case the phone lines are slack. I found that a sure fire winner every time was to talk about the PTS, and I had a number of poems that would make the line light up with people wanting copies. The Dog's Prayer was a perennial fave.

I also found that it did no harm at all to be quite dogmatic and assertive on occasions, especially when discussing obesity and neutering. Overall, give an opinion - YOUR opinion, because that is what they are seeking - and be definite.

One other technique worth cultivating is to learn how to "close" a conversation, particularly when you have a whinger on the line who is either overcome with grief (and self pity) or who is never satisfied with the answer (and I don't mean unpleasantly but who just KEEPS ON with more and more tales of what it did and when!!). In those cases you need to butt in and say that it sounds tricky and you really wish them well with their pet - and to ring in next time to let you know how it goes!!

If you'd like a chat, or more info - email me again or ring me.

George Cooper

PS - charging is not really feasible. Not even Radio 4 has much to give! Look on it as a life-enhancing achievement, despite the hassles of people who recognise your voice for years to come!

Re: Impending radio interview.. advice please!

Bob Russell — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:55:28 GMT

Relax, enjoy it. You are only talking to a single client and their friend (the person asking the question and the interviewer) the rest is just technology.

As clinicians we spend a lot of the day talking!!! This is just a long consultation!

Valium as prescribed by your GP for that extra laid back element!!

Good luck, I am sure it will be fun once you get into the swing of it.

Re: Impending radio interview.. advice please!

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:00:46 GMT

See if you can have a mock tryout with one of your colleagues "interviewing" and ask for an honest opinion. Make them count the number of times you said "um", "er" or "you know".

"You know" is the most irritating of all verbal mannerisms in a radio broadcast.

Re: Impending radio interview.. advice please!

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 23:02:49 GMT

The BVA do media training, but unlikely to get that sorted before Wednesday!

If it was me I would be vague and just give general advice, making sure not to disparage any fellow colleagues and throwing in lots of disclaimers such as "well it's almost impossible without seeing the animal but....." and suggesting that they should visit their own vet!

The following is copied from the Guide to Professional Conduct:

Public life and interaction with the media

7. Veterinary surgeons can make a worthwhile contribution to the promotion of animal welfare and responsible pet ownership by taking part in public life, whether in national or local politics, community service, or involvement with the media (including press, television, radio or the internet).

8. In commenting to the media veterinary surgeons must ensure that any statement is factually correct, distinguishing clearly between personal opinion or political belief and established facts. They should be careful not to express or imply that any view is shared by the profession at large unless previously authorised by the RCVS, BVA or other professional body.

Good luck!