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While youre waiting to hear back, drop a query letter and any supplemental materials in the mail Dunk Heels.If you can present a visually appealing idea, all the better. While simple interviews are done all the time, suggesting a segment with a strong visual hook is often enough to give you the edge Cheap Nike Heels. We contacted local TV stations with an idea to show parents how they could use simple items and games to increase their kids brain power, says Tanya Mitchell, Director of Training for LearningRx, a world renown brain training franchise. I told them Id bring things like building toys, blocks, Scrabble tiles and stacking cups and then demonstrate how parents could use these at home to increase things like attention, memory and processing speed Jordan High Heels. They loved it. I think that if I had just suggested a sit-down interview, we wouldnt have gotten on the show Dunk High Heels.Mitchell also suggested that the TV show mention that viewers could get additional ideas by visiting the stations Web site, which hosted a link to . They loved this idea because it provided additional information to their viewers while driving traffic to their Web site, says Mitchell. And, of course, we loved it because it drove traffic to OUR Web site.If you can offer an additional free product or service through your Web site, you may be able to convince the station to post a link.Follow upIf your pitch is timely (our salon is holding an open house next week with all proceeds benefiting the childrens hospital), you should follow up quickly. If the piece is an evergreen, give your contact some time to review your idea then follow up in a week or two. If your contact declines your idea, ask if you can continue to submit more ideas in the future, and/or if you can be considered as a source for other segments that cover your industry. Most importantly, be positive and courteous at all times. If the station is even a little interested but gets the idea youre too pushy or rude, or believes youre simply trying to sell your business (as opposed to giving them a real story idea), you could burn that bridge for good.Play by the rulesWhen it comes to working with TV stations, youve got to play by their rules. Here are a few to follow:1. Dont call in the morning. This is the busiest time at most stations and youre idea will get lost in the shuffle. The exception to this rule is if you have an extremely timely subject. For example: A huge computer virus has consumers scrambling to find out how to fix their computers and your software company offers free downloads from its Web site.2. Dont use the word pitch. For many in the media, this word sends up a red flag that theyre about to be sold something. In TV, this implies that youre essentially trying to get a free commercial for your business.3. Remember that nothing is off the record. Be careful about what you say when the camera is off, too.4. Return calls and emails promptly. Television is a fast business. Sometimes its only a matter of minutes between you getting the interview or your competition.Prepare for the big dayIf your segment idea does get picked up, there are some things youll want to do to prepare. First, have someone tape the segment for you. Dont ask the station to provide you with a copy, as this is often expensive and time-consuming for them.Second, practice what youll say with someone who can play interviewer. Let them throw some curveballs, like So, exactly what percentage of your sales go to charity or How do you feel about the new laws that are affecting your businessYoull also want to practice sitting still, sitting up straight and making eye contact with your mock interviewer if youll be seated during the interview.Thirdly, pick out your outfit in advance and set it aside so it doesnt get stained or wrinkled before the big day. If youre running late for the interview, you wont have to worry about searching for something to wear. Stick with medium-hued, solid colors on top as patterns can appear too busy on TV and light colors can wash you out. I was running around like a mad woman trying to find something to wear when I appeared on Good Morning America, says Christina Katz, author of Writer Mama. Finally, my aunt picked out this really simple button-down blue shirt. It was less glamorous than what I had originally thought Id wear, but it ended up being perfect. Dont wear anything that can reflect light (such as metallics) and keep jewelry simple. Plan to wear something lightweight as the lights in the studio can get warm. Wear a bit more makeup than usual and keep your hair simple but professional.Show your appreciationAlthough its exciting and often profitable to appear on TV, be cautious about pitching the station again too soon. Likewise, you may want to show some loyalty by not appearing on a competing stations program soon after your initial appearance.
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