Authors want to know
how they can get on television, so I am going to tell you exactly how to do
just that.
First, understand the
TV landscape – how it works, what they look for, and how to package yourself in
a timely fashion.
Second, realize that
despite all of the tricks of the trade, connections that you make, and the
greatness of your book, there’s still a very little chance that you’ll make it
beyond local TV. That’s just the reality of the percentages. Too
many authors – and others – are in a Hunger Gamesdeath match to get
on TV. Only a few will survive and thrive.
Let’s start by looking
at television today. The first thing you need to know is that each
station and show is unique and requires a customized pitch. What works
for The View doesn’t get you onFox, MSNBC, or PBS.
Know the politics, demographics, guest history, and ownership of each show before
you pitch it.
Next, differentiate,
what kinds of personality the show wants. Do they want the serious expert or a
talking miniskirt? Are they looking for news, analysis, opinion or
entertainment? Is it interested only in certain subjects? How is the show
slanted and who does it appeal to? Hint: Look at the commercials.
Break down each
network or channel and list all of the different shows. Identify the
producers and bookers for each show. Contact one person from a show
before you contact others from the same show. If you don’t get a yes or a
response, move on to others. You can pitch multiple shows simultaneously.
Shows - think in terms
of scoops and competition. They want exclusives and to be first to air a
story but they mainly compete internally with other shows on their network the
way siblings compete for a parent's affection, and they compete with those in
their time slot on other networks. Give them something they fear others
will want.
Your pitch needs to be
short, headline-centric, filled with bullet points and links to a video.
They want a visual to support the story. They also want to see what you
look and sound like.
TV wants a validated,
credible voice on camera. Make sure you have the right credentials and
any third-party supporters – testimonials, links to other media, awards, etc.
They want to see you are on TV before.
Give urgency to your
pitch. Answer this: Why you – and why now? They need to see
you are a hot property and someone they need to work with. Highlight your
social media numbers if they are solid.
The general pecking
order of things is authors need to get some exposure on local TV or with
digital television (video on a leading site) before they can get the call up to
the Big Leagues of national television.
Can you clearly,
emphatically, and passionately convince a TV producer why he or she should give
you a shot? Can you speak with conviction and confidence? Will you
give them a positive and secure feeling about your on-camera presence and style?
TV doesn’t like to take chances. It’s risk-averse. It wants
formulaic tried and true. Attractive people, cute dogs, celebrities, and
odd stories still own the airwaves. TV is just Facebook these days.
The fastest way to
television is to have something newsworthy to say on a timely topic being
debated in the current news cycle. But most authors don’t have such hard
news to reveal. So you have to be creative and think like the producer
you are appealing to. Feed their concerns with something that gets them
to turn a no to a yes.
Your first place to audition is on YouTube. Build up a strong following that a TV show would kill for. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll be the one interviewing the media on your podcast. You have potentially as much power as the media.
Your first place to audition is on YouTube. Build up a strong following that a TV show would kill for. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll be the one interviewing the media on your podcast. You have potentially as much power as the media.
That’s right, the way
to get on TV is to embrace a can-do attitude and then to showcase your talents
online. Go for it!
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