We all know that landing a five minute segment on the Today Show or any of the top-rated talk shows can be a life changing experience. But how do you go about getting on a talk show in the first place?
What is a Pitch to a Talk Show Producer?
A pitch to a talk show producer is a proposal that presents an idea for a segment, interview, or feature that could be included in a talk show. The purpose of the pitch is to convince the producer that your idea is engaging, relevant, and suitable for their audience.
What Should be Included in a Pitch to a Talk Show Producer
Here are some key elements typically included in a pitch to a talk show producer:
- Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and any relevant background or credentials that make you a credible source or guest.
- Concept Overview: Clearly describe the main idea of your segment. This could be a unique angle on a current event, an interview with a special guest, or an interactive segment that involves the audience.
- Relevance and Timeliness: Explain why your idea is relevant now. Talk show segments often rely on topicality, so linking your pitch to recent events, trends, or public interests can strengthen it.
- Target Audience: Define who will be most interested in your segment. Understanding the show’s existing audience can help you tailor your pitch to meet the viewers’ preferences and expectations.
- Format and Execution: Detail how the segment would be structured. Would it involve a one-on-one interview, a panel discussion, a demonstration, or something else? Also, consider the logistical aspects like time requirements and any special setup needed.
- Unique Selling Point: Highlight what makes your idea stand out. This could be exclusive content, a unique perspective, or a special guest that only you can provide.
- Potential Impact: Discuss the potential impact or outcome of the segment. This might include audience takeaways, emotional impact, or further discussions it might provoke.
- Closing: Summarize the key points and reiterate your enthusiasm for the idea. Provide your contact information and offer to provide further details or answer any questions.
A well-crafted pitch that aligns with the show’s format, tone, and audience can significantly increase your chances of getting your idea accepted by the producer.
How To Make Your Pitch Successful
Now that we’ve talked about the basics, it’s time to focus on what you can do to increase the chances of successfully getting on a talk show.
- 1.) Have a Good Story – Talk shows are extremely limited in the content they can air, yet everyone wants a piece of the television pie. In order to stand out, your story must really resonate with the talk show’s audience. No matter if you’re a celebrity, podiatrist, or plumber, you have a chance of getting on a talk show if your story is interesting enough. This works especially well if you are famous or controversial.
- 2.) Pitch a Segment Idea, Not Your Product – One of the biggest rookie mistakes people make when pitching talk show producers is to say something like “I’ve written this book and I’d love to come on your show and talk to you about it.” This strategy leaves all the work of creating an entertaining segment to the producer, and producers are already overworked. Instead of merely pitching your product, pitch a show idea involving around your product. A sex therapist could take reader questions, for example, or a chef could do a cooking segment with the host.
- 3.) Prove Yourself – What would you say to someone who comes up to you on the street, says he’s a famous doctor and asks to perform an operation on you? You’d be pretty skeptical, right? Talk show producers deal with unknown quantities like this every day. Don’t just say you’re an expert, back it up with proof, such as references or your book or website, and eventually with videos of you on other peoples’ talk shows..
- 4.) Decide How to Pitch – Some experts recommend just calling the producer, while others recommend sending a pitch letter first and then following up via phone. Different producers will have different preferences, but a general rule of thumb is that emails are easy to delete while a person on the other end of the phone line is hard to ignore.
- 5.) Start Small then Work Your Way Up
I hate to break it to you, but your chances of getting on the national broadcast of The Today Show on your first time out is slim to none (unless you’ve suddenly become famous.) So start small, pitching local market shows with small audiences so you can hone your pitching and talk show presentation skills. This also gives you a portfolio of videos you can use to demonstrate that you’re good and will deliver great television to their audience. - 6.) Test Your Pitch – If you do plan to get a talk show producer on the line, don’t stammer, stutter or forget your name. (Yes, it happens.) Write your pitch down and practice it on a friend before making the call.
- 7.) Call at the Best Time – You don’t want to be the voice on the other end of the phone gamely pitching your show idea while the producer is simultaneously trying to capture an escaped duck and downplay the host’s embarrassing pimple. Try to find out the show’s schedule and call when the show isn’t filming. This can be easier said than done, but if all else fails, try to get a receptionist on the line. If you’re nice, he or she will often help you out.
The Power of Talk Shows
We’ve all heard the story of the product that went viral after a demonstration on Oprah or the singer whose album sales skyrocketed after they played at Rockefeller Center on the Today Show.
That could be you. All you have to do is pitch.
This article is written by Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases (https://www.ereleases.com), the online leader in affordable press release distribution. Download your free copy of 7 Cheap PR Tactics for Success in Any Economy here: https://www.ereleases.com/free-offer/cheap-pr-tactics/