Do you have a new product on the market? That’s news worth celebrating! When it’s time to tell the media about your invention, I recommend starting locally.
The local news stations will be interested in your story, and it’s a great opportunity to practice being on camera.
That’s the big takeaway from my experience promoting my guitar pick company Hot Picks in the 2000s.
If you’re a pleasure to work with and fun to watch, they’ll keep inviting you back whenever there’s something new that you want talk about.
It’s news, yes — but it’s also entertainment.
So, try to build a rapport with the news anchor. Watch some of their segments in advance to get a sense of what they’re like and so that you can flatter them.
Always ask the producer how long the segment will be, and prepare accordingly. News clips are never as long as we wish they were. It’s important to get clear on what you are going to say in a short soundbite.
Over a period of a few years, I was interviewed about Hot Picks in my office, at home, and at the news station by Jennifer Smith.
When I had something “new” to talk about, I called her.
Soon, other stations began calling.
Here’s what I learned:
- Remember to smile when you’re on TV. Your body language says it all!
- Be excited and enthusiastic.
- Always thank them.
- It’s all about relationships.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen Key
inventRight CoFounder
