Do you have what it takes to be booked and then asked back?

posted Thursday, April 1, 2010 by Rebecca Brooks

Now that you know how much time goes into pitching and executing a television segment, do you have what it takes to be booked and then asked back?
 
Just about everyone who hires us wants to be on television, but not everyone has what it takes to make a great guest.
 
In the office we discuss a few key elements about a client before pitching:

• Do they have the confidence?
• Do they have the energy to keep viewers interested?
• What is their experience on TV?
• Do they know their content? 
• Do they have a good attitude?

CONFIDENCE:
This is key to success in any business, but on television if you are not confident, it shows.  How do you gain confidence?  Practice practice practice…do it alone, in front of a friend and most importantly, tape yourself.  Then you can see what you truly look and sound like.  You also have to really want it!  You have to want to be there and know your content…as our client Gary Vaynerchuk says “content is king!”
 
ENERGY:
There is nothing worse than a guest with low energy.  Think about what will pump you up and do what works for you.  For example, I’ve seen a popular Food Network host do push ups on set before he tapes a show.
 
EXPERIENCE:
Everyone’s got to start somewhere.  It’s rare that a major morning or talk show will book you without demonstrated success on another show.  Start small – there are fantastic shows on the web, as well as local morning shows…compile a reel that demonstrates you can do a great job in a range of formats (live, taped, demo, sit down) then use it to secure bigger programs.
 
CONTENT:
Like I said – content is king…to make a great guest you have to know what you are talking about and be ready for any question that comes your way.
 
GOOD ATTITUDE:
There are SO many guests vying for your spot…many of which will also do a great job.  When you go to a show, it’s important to have a good attitude and be nice to everyone from the car driver to makeup artist to the EP.  If you aren’t you may not be invited back.
 
We’ve booked our clients on just about every show on show from Oprah, Leno, Fallon, Ellen, Regis and The View to Today Show, Extra and MSNBC Your Business.  In fact, in the last week we worked with Today Show, GMA, Regis & Kelly, Price is Right, Morning Joe, ABC News, Bonnie Hunt, KTLA and others.
 
How do we do it?  In addition to keeping up with a range of news outlets, trends and studying each program, relationships are key!  Producers know we will never waste their time. 
 
After reading this blog - do you have what it takes…and does your publicist have the connections to make it happen?