JoJami Tyler and Deborah Boland are professional image and media coach who specialize in helping high achieving, style conscious women, 40+ look and feel like a million. They both have over 20 years of experience in TV as producers, hosts, reporters, in addition to their coaching careers. Find out more about JoJami and Deborah on their website, FabulousAfter40.com.
With cable stations scrambling for new programming and to fill air time, there has never been a better time to try to get yourself or your product on television (or online tv as the case may be these days). Here are some tips for doing just that:
DO
...Start a blog. A blog is a great way to position yourself as an expert in your field. Post interesting stories and helpful tips related to what you do and you’ll find producers will be calling to put you on television. Be aware that blogging does take time and you must post at least three times a day to keep the traffic flowing. Blogs are also great as they reveal your personality when done correctly and allow producers to get a feel for what you’d be like on-air.
...Send out timely press releases. If you want to be on television you have to let the media know you are out there and that you have something valuable to say that can help producer’s viewing audiences. TV producers have dozens of interview slots they must fill each week. They are looking for experts just like you who can come up with interesting story ideas that their audiences will love and “stay tuned” leading to high ratings. Send releases at least twice a month about topics or segments that are relevant to what is going on in the world around you or your community. Only one story idea per press release should be used to keep it simple, and create an angle that is linked to something that everyone is currently talking about, like an interesting news story, a hot trend, a new movie or some kind of celebrity happening.
DON’T
...Pitch the media as an expert without a great headshot. Your headshot is your calling card that says volumes about the type of person you are. Make sure the photo on your website and in your press kit is current and professional. Look the part that you are selling, the role that you are creating for yourself. Look credible like the type of expert you are. Ask people you know in your field whose headshots you like who did theirs, and research to find the right photographer for the image you want to create.
...Go on the news without five great talking points prepared. If you are pitching yourself to the news and they are interested, you may get a follow up call in which a producer will want to pre-interview you on the phone - a code word for audition. Be sure to have five quick interesting points you can share to capture their attention and get yourself booked. Producers make split second decisions about whether they want you or not based on those first few minutes, so be organized and passionate about your topic. Keep those talking points taped to your desk and in your wallet until you have them completely memorized.
...Forget to get media training before having your moment on national television. Once you put your story ideas out there, you can get booked overnight. If you have never been in front of a camera before, then you’ll want to make sure that you’ve taken some media training. Don’t blow your precious airtime, feeling nervous or being unprepared. You want to go on television fully confident, aware of what the experience will be like, with interview practice under your belt.
