What does it take to get booked on a TV show?
Good question.
Getting booked as a guest on TV is challenging now that there are so many books published in the self publishing category according to Bowker.com (link here). This mean that producers are overloaded with pitches that may not be fully developed or a fit for the profile of their show. Also the guest may not have enough media experience to create certainty with the producer that they will be great on the air.
The proof of this concept lies in their media bio. Does their media bio contain lots of big brand media associations. Does it include any other guest appearance on other shows? I always let our clients know that media begets media. The more media you get book on for yourself, the more other media you are pitching will begin to feel comfortable booking you for their shows or media outlets.
Lots of media on your media bio creates confidence in your ability. It creates confidence that you have great guest skills and your appearance will be a very positive one for all involved including the producers, the audience and of course, yourself.
Annie advises her clients to “stay in the media consistently over time. Be ready to go on TV at all time. Be available for the shows on short notice.”
Time is on your side. You don’t have to get all the media in one day, one week or one month. Just keep going and the media will build over time. This gives you an influential position of authority over time. Why rush it? It takes time to build experience, credibility and trust.
The trick is to never stop. Always be out in the media working to get booked on the outlet. This way, you do not open the door for anyone else in your area of expertise to get booked instead and you launching their careers and enable them to start playing in your sand box. Not good for you. If you are a trusted media source then be there for them even when it might be a bit inconvenient for you. The only people who fail once they secure a regular spot I have noticed, are those that start to take the opportunity for granted. This shows in their attitude and off the show they go!
For one thing, the media may not give you a lot of notice that they would like you to come on the show. Always be ready with everything you need on hand whether everything is in your office or home. Make it easy for yourself to say ‘yes’ and only say ‘no’ when it is just impossible for you to appear. Be a great guest and part of being a great guest is that they can count on your availability even it is on short notice.
Radio publicity helps prepare you for your TV show appearances.
Since radio publicity, where you are booked for a guest appearance on the radio show, help you design, develop and practice your media skill set. Radio show are conducted over the phone so you can work on your content, audience and delivery skills. You can learn how to get a great guest without the pressure of the camera.
Once your perfect your skills set to the point where you know you are confident, it’s time for TV. Your professionalism and experience will show on the air. The show will be impressed as will the audience with your delivery. Great.
Prepare for your TV show appearance.
Now before you go on the show, be sure to create about 5 questions you think you will most likely be asked and practice the answer until you know what you are going to say in advance. Your unlimited media training that comes with an Annie Jennings PR radio campaign will come in handy as you have already learned many of the skills needed to be excellent on the air.
Annie offers free unlimited media training for radio and free Skype media training for TV shows.
Annie Jennings PR also provides free Skype media training to clients before they go on their TV shows. Being on TV adds to the mix in that it is a live environment that you may not be used to, the set is something that you should visit online so you know the design, and be ready to lots of distractions. Your media training will have you prepared to ignore anything does not pertain to you, the host and the conversation. Once your build experience on camera, you will become a sought-after TV guest because you can be counted on to deliver a high quality segment that everyone will appreciate.
Want to talk to Annie about your build up growth strategy and how you can strengthen your media platform? Just click on the box below and soon you will be speaking with Annie.
Annie Jennings PR is a performance-based PR firm offering client access to the media market place without the high cost of monthly retainers. Annie’s firm has booked over 25,000 media placements in just one half the time they have been in business. This creates vast knowledge of how the media is booking. Annie says, “as the media changes, so does our approach to the media. I like to say why pitch if you are not going land the booking? Our business model reflect that belief that all clients have potential. The trick to getting bookings is simply making sure you are pitching the right person who would naturally have an interest in your client. BINGO BOOKING!”