6 tips to ace your broadcast performance

Local TV appearances can be a great way to boost your visibility in your community. Here’s how to make sure your message shines through in this highly structured environment.

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Broadcast television is a great way to reach a large local or regional audience.

It can also have a powerful impact on your PR goals. TV news is still the top platform for news consumption in the U.S.

Here are a few things to help you put together a successful pitch and ensure that the entire opportunity runs smoothly:

1. Educate and set expectations.

Broadcast stations operate on a last-minute basis, and breaking news always takes priority. Cancellations and unexpected changes are common, so a flexible approach is crucial. Set expectations so that these potential variables don’t come as a surprise.

Your thought leaders and spokespeople may be used to revising their written work, but TV segments cannot be edited. Live interviews offer one chance to share your message. Prerecorded segments may utilize multiple takes, but they typically cannot be retaped. Remind the spokesperson that the interview likely cannot be reshot.

2. Determine if your story has what it takes.

There are a few simple questions to determine whether a broadcast pitch will stick or fall short:

3. Craft your pitch.

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