Public Relations Tips

How to Look Great on TV When the Media Interviews You

Every entrepreneur’s dream is to get interviewed on a big TV program. But most people are painfully embarrassed when this happens.

That’s because they don’t know what to do, say or look when they appear on TV. This article will show you step-by-step how to look great on TV, when the media wants to interview you.

Step 1. Practice in front of a camera.

Looking great on TV doesn’t come natural for most people. You have to practice. Go out and buy a camera, or turn on the camera in your computer. Just say, “Hi. My name is (Add Your Name Here) and I’m glad to be here.”

Now play it back.

How do you look?

Warm and friendly?

Or cold and distant?

Is your voice clear and distinct?

Or is it muffled?

Is your tone serious, upbeat and inviting?

Or is it caustic?

By the way, there are many times when you do want to be serious, especially in a crisis situation like a flood or product recall. Being serious is not a bad thing, so don’t confuse it with being the opposite of friendly or bubbly. There’s a proper time and place for all those. What you don’t want to be is rude, condescending, mean spirited, or have any other negative tone. People will tune you out or make fun of you if you are negative.

Now look for these factors.

Are you well groomed?

Or is your hair and face a mess?

Do your clothes present the person you want to be?

Or are they at odds with your message?

For example, I had a client who shot a video wearing a t-shirt. That’s not the image you want when you are asking people to invest in a $495 training program! He suited up and the program was a success. I’m not trying to put you into a straitjacket or have you conform to something you aren’t. It’s okay to wear a Hawaiian shirt if that’s your style and it says something positive to your audience. I Read the rest of this entry »

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How Can You Get a Reporter’s Undivided Attention?

Reporters get a lot of information every day so it can be hard to stand out from a crowded in box filled with press releases, emails, pitch letters and books.

But there is a tried and true way to stand out:

Treat him or her like they are the only person in the world.

By this, I mean that your materials need to be customized and targeted to meet that reporter’s specific interests.

You’ll see what I mean if you take this quick quiz.

Which method do you think will work better?

Dear Reporter,

I am sending you this message, as well as to 1,000 other reporters in the hopes you will find my story interesting. I’m not sure what you write about, but that doesn’t matter because everyone will find my new book interesting.

Or

Dear Sally Jones,

I enjoyed reading your article about management tips in the latest issue of the Springtime Gazette. I have written a new book about management techniques that could help give your readers more insight into how to lead effectively.

Obviously, Sally Jones will think are a wonderful expert because you used her name, referred to a story she wrote and showed how you can help her.

How can you find out about reporters so you look like you know them?

Four Ways to Seduce Reporters

1.Read their articles. Since most publications are online this is easy. If the reporter writes for several publications (and many of them do), you can Google their names and find lots of articles they’ve written.

2.Learn their focus. If they write about economics are they conservative or liberal? If they write about business do they write about big companies or entrepreneurs?

3.See if they reveal any of their personal lives or personality. If they refer to their spouse, their kids, their dogs, their hobbies, then you can see if you have a common in Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments »

How Can You Get a Reporter’s Undivided Attention?

Reporters get a lot of information every day so it can be hard to stand out from a crowded in box filled with press releases, emails, pitch letters and books.

But there is a tried and true way to stand out:

Treat him or her like they are the only person in the world.

By this, I mean that your materials need to be customized and targeted to meet that reporter’s specific interests.

You’ll see what I mean if you take this quick quiz.

Which method do you think will work better?

Dear Reporter,

I am sending you this message, as well as to 1,000 other reporters in the hopes you will find my story interesting. I’m not sure what you write about, but that doesn’t matter because everyone will find my new book interesting.

Or

Dear Sally Jones,

I enjoyed reading your article about management tips in the latest issue of the Springtime Gazette. I have written a new book about management techniques that could help give your readers more insight into how to lead effectively.

Obviously, Sally Jones will think are a wonderful expert because you used her name, referred to a story she wrote and showed how you can help her.

How can you find out about reporters so you look like you know them?

Four Ways to Seduce Reporters

1.Read their articles. Since most publications are online this is easy. If the reporter writes for several publications (and many of them do), you can Google their names and find lots of articles they’ve written.

2.Learn their focus. If they write about economics are they conservative or liberal? If they write about business do they write about big companies or entrepreneurs?

3.See if they reveal any of their personal lives or personality. If they refer to their spouse, their kids, their dogs, their hobbies, then you can see if you have a common in Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments »