How to land a TV interview!

It’s safe to say that we’ve all dreamed of being on TV at one point or another. Huge national audiences await you if you can successfully pitch your story. The best part? It’s easier than you think!

Landing a TV interview is the perfect opportunity to speak directly to your audience and get your message out there.

Within just a few easy steps you can appear on TV News today!

Think Visually

It goes without saying that TV is all about the visual. This means that when crafting your media pitch, you need to be conscious of the imagery.

The visuals you provide to the network are just as important as the story itself. If you want your organization to appear on TV, you need to make the story visually appealing.

Consider providing b-roll, and other secondary footage. This means your pitch is more likely to be picked up by the networks.

Also, think about providing the journalist with an image and video library. TV after all is a visual medium. This means that producers are always on the lookout for appealing visuals that package their story.

Build your profile in the press!

Producers are constantly on the lookout for the next story. Often they will browse print media outlets to get around the news of the day. The majority of stories broadcasted are just covering what has already been mentioned in print media.

If your story or your organization has already been published online or in the paper, you’re more likely to have a successful pitch and more likely to appear on TV.

Build your industry leadership on social media!

Develop your credibility by commenting on issues occurring within your sector via your social media. Consider using LinkedIn or Twitter to interact and build a relationship with your audience.

If you adopt a reactive news mindset and post about sudden, breaking, or recent events, you could potentially be on TV within the hour.

Comparatively, if you have a media opp, the producer will likely google you to gain more context about who you are and what you do.

Having a strong social media presence allows you to build your credibility and industry leadership. Producers are more likely to call on you if you’re the leading voice within your sector.

Put your best talent forward

If you want to leave a lasting impression on your audience, you need to put forward “good talent”, someone that interviews well in the press.

Allocate a spokesperson from your organisation who is confident answering questions, can stay on message and presents well.

Even the most seasoned professionals get nervous talking in front of a camera. It is a very unique but also intimidating situation to be in. Undertaking media training is the best way to prepare for an interview with the press. Know what messages you want to communicate, who your audience is, and what you want to achieve.

Dress appropriately

Remember that TV is a visual medium, so dressing well is vital. This is an opportunity to visually represent your organisation and speak directly to your audience. When dressing for a TV interview, you want to look professional and credible. Avoid wearing anything fluorescent, and go for more neutral colours, so that the audience is not distracted from your message.

Treat the interview as a conversation

Although you should prepare for your interview, you don’t want to over-prepare. Ditch the script and be conversational. It allows your audience to connect with you on a more personal level.

Be clear about what you want to achieve and your core messages. Remember, huge national audiences await you, so it’s important to treat the interview as an opportunity to speak directly to your audience.

Final thoughts

Pitching your story and being on TV can seem far-fetched and complicated, but if you are prepared it is easier than you think. Thinking visually, having a clear message, having a social media presence, and nominating ‘good talent’ will help you get your story on TV!

Are you wanting to start your media journey? Get in touch with us for a complimentary consultation.