Best Ways to Approach Radio and TV Talk Shows

In today's guest post, I'm delighted to have Karen Melamed, a highly experienced talk show producer, share her tips for getting onto radio and TV talk shows.

I was a producer for The Oprah Winfrey Show. I took pitches, read press packets and got hounded by everyone and anyone who wanted to get on Oprah's couch. I had the power to decide who got booked and who got booted. Before Oprah, I was a producer for many local talk shows from Seattle to Boston. I read many e-mails, pre-interviewed countless authors and experts, and even grabbed guests off the streets. Literally. So for those of you who want to know the best ways to approach TV and radio shows, from someone who actually said “yes” or “no”, read on.

First, before you approach any television or radio producer, you need a hook. A hook is that something special that makes a producer want to book you above all the others who call them. It's that special angle that separates you out from the rest. Sometimes it's your personal story. Sometimes it's a newsworthy event that puts you front and center because of your timely expertise.

Sometimes it's a gimmick you can offer (a demonstration, free stuff, inside info that'll make you thinner, prettier, live longer.) A hook is essential to getting a producer's attention. Think like a producer. What would be of interest to their show's viewers? Do your homework. Watch or listen to their program and figure out what they like, and then give it to them.

Second, figure out which show best fits your subject. If it's sports related, you have a slim to none chance of getting on The View. If it's a children's book, why are you going for The Rachel Ray Show? And if you're ONLY going for Oprah because she's the top of the heap, well, you're reducing your chances of getting on any show at all since Oprah is . . . the top of the heap. Try approaching local shows, cable shows, Internet shows. If you broaden your reach, you will increase your chances. The smaller the show, the bigger your chances are of getting booked.

Third, do NOT send anything to the host or the Executive Producer. The host doesn't book a show, and the executive producer has way too much to worry about than to return your calls or emails. I know, I was an executive producer and I hired people to weed out the pitches and it was their job to pitch me.

So, find out who books the shows. Often it's the associate producer whose job it is to hear your pitch and if they like what they hear, they pitch to their boss, the producer. If the producer likes it, they pitch to the executive producer and if SHE likes it, you're on. Sometimes, the host will have final say, but not always.

Check out the show credits, write down the names of the associate producers or producers, and contact them directly. Send an e-mail with an attention grabbing slug in the subject line, include your pitch information and attach video of yourself, then follow up with a phone call. Then repeat the process with other shows.

And finally, treat every call you make to a producer as though it's an audition. Energy, energy, energy! Personality is vital. If you have the credentials and the hook, but you're boring, you're not getting on. Period.

Karen Melamed’s company, MediaWise, offers personal on-camera coaching, media makeovers, full-featured websites, electronic press kits, podcasts, webcasts, talk radio blogs and other Internet services, along with booking basics. You can contact Karen at 310-745-0304 or email her at karen@mediawise-consulting.com.

Comments

[AK Dixon]

Wow! Great Info! I really do appreciate you!

[AR Puttee]

As a co-author it's great to see info like this available from the producers pov. Thanks for the post.

[mathew mwangangi]

I have liked the wayyou mdescribe your approach, up from the poducer down to the audience on how to treat every one of them.Its nice.