Especially if you’re a control-freak perfectionist and incredibly nervous before it. I’m referring, of course, to my first BBC appearance – with Phil Gayle on BBC Radio Berkshire, although you’d be forgiven for thinking Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight based on my anxiety!

As a blue-chip escapee I’ve grown up with corporate communication departments. As a start-up, there are no people, policies or procedures in place.
 
Twenty four hours on, having listened to the interview via iPlayer (UK only) I’m kicking myself about a few moments, but glad of the experience and what I’ve learned from it.

Being a control-freak, I’m often heard saying “it’s in the planning”. As soon as I received the request to appear, I sought advice from my network.

A friend at the BBC commented on Facebook “Recorded or live? If recorded, don't be afraid to ask if you can give an answer again or remake a point if you hash it up the first time around. If live, try to get a list of questions - even if only rough guide - ahead of the interview”.

Friends on Twitter also helped. Nigel Penn-Simkins @flextra sent an immediate message of support: “Ooh, well done. Give me a call, I've been on Henry's show and loads of the others on Radio Berks. You'll be great!”

Ant Hodges @anthodges introduced me to a local expert: “The man you want to speak to about radio tips is @nigel_morgan - Send him a tweet and I am sure he can help you out!”

I was to learn that I should have “three must points” – per Nigel Morgan: facts or themes that I had to get across, and to be ready to face challenging questions about being from the City, ideally with glib responses.

Seemed simple enough, but it would have been clear to anyone with any experience that I didn’t have any! It reminded me of learning to drive. While 20mph feels slow to experienced passengers, as the learner it feels like there’s too much to take in and act upon.

I failed spectacularly on my three must points! (software for professional services firms; converting contacts into clients and conversations into business; social media and social business intelligence)

It was difficult to make eye contact with Phil with a large microphone on a hinged arm between us, and to find the right balance between having a moment to give a considered response and knowing that silence is not golden on radio.

It surprised me that Phil would seemingly prepare me for questions while off air, and then ask completely different ones. Don’t be fooled into thinking the same. With the benefit of hindsight, I now understand that questions asked during records and weather updates were to help Phil think about the direction he would take the interview next. It was naïve of me to think he was giving me a chance to practice my answer!

This is not to say that Phil was trying to trip me up. Phil was great about putting me at my ease and explaining what was going on in the studio – a perfect gentleman for my first time!