The Right to Bare Arms

Avoiding Stings

Good for ABC

This shouldn't be a cause for celebration--or news. Nevertheless, it's good to know that one network is doing the right thing.

ABC Bans Paying News Subjects
ABC News has quietly decided to get out of the business of paying news subjects in connection with exclusive interviews. With no public announcement or fanfare, the news division's president, Ben Sherwood, has effectively taken ABC out of what had become a competitive bidding war for hot bookings. After taking a public-relations hit in several high-profile cases, ABC will no longer be buying photos or video as a way of getting a news subject to cooperate-a process that had become a fig leaf for purchasing interviews. When asked for comment, spokesman Jeffrey Schneider confirmed the new policy, saying: "We can book just about anyone based on the strength of our journalism, the excellence of our anchors, correspondents, and producers, and the size of our audience. These licensing deals had become a crutch, and an unnecessary one." The new approach is not an absolute ban, but network sources say it would take an extraordinary circumstance to allow a licensing fee-perhaps once every couple of years-that would require approval at the highest levels. ABC's unilateral disarmament could prompt the other networks to drop out of the pay-to-play arms race as well. Or they could continue to pay big bucks for licensing fees with one less competitor to worry about. "Will we lose a booking here and there? Sure," said Schneider. "Are those lost bookings equal to the credibility of ABC News? Not in any way, shape, or form."
The Daily Beast

TV Jewelry

Years ago, a television consultant assigned to work with me wore a metal TV pin. It was cool. I have looked for a TV pin to wear on my lapel ever since. When I met Anne Perry and heard she made jewelry, I commissioned her! She works with glass. I am thrilled with the results. Anne even created matching earrings!

Still More Soundbite Coach Tweet Tips

1. If you are short of breath while being interviewed, could be nerves. Ramp up your cardio exercise to help lungs: jogging is a great tool.

2. Clients asking more + more how to publicize on social media. Newspapers may by dying, but not dead yet! Headline ink still great promotion for your websites and packets.

3. A pet peeve: guest didn't even look to see what time our show started + kept calling to get "prepped" while we were already on air.

4. Twice already this week, 2 guests asked for ongoing segments on our show. Awkward spot-If a network wants you to be a regular, it will ask.

5. If you are on a media tour or a regular, consider having your own IFB (ear piece) made... it's not too expensive + you'll always know whose ear it's been in!

6. If your interview is bumped by breaking news, be gracious and you may get rescheduled on a slower news cycle.

7. For laryngitis before an interview, take Ricola-no alcohol-or Fisherman's Friend. Don't whisper, do drink warm water, and do consider a cortisone shot.

These are concise tips, since Twitter only gives you 140 characters. I've added some information to some of these, but if you have questions, please post them.

News Anchor Barbie

I hate that I want to buy her. And I hate that I want to look like her. If I did, maybe I would've gotten more TV jobs. Seeing her reminds me of the News Director who told me, "You were our second choice. We made our decision for cosmetic reasons."

I hate what she does for the stereotype of journalists. The news industry is already has a crisis of goodwill and reputation. Will the fact that this Barbie is so perfect reinforce the idea that broadcasting is only a looks-based business?

What does she mean for people who want to be newsmakers?

• Look your best.
• Don't buy into the stereotype of "dumb blonde" - the woman interviewing you may be blonde, but chances are she is not dumb. We all know smart, beautiful people.
• Don't base your news-watching preferences on looks. If so, you're buying into the idea that we all need to look like Barbie--or Ken--to be credible.

Are You Repeating Annoying Phrases?

In person or on TV/radio, you may be using crutch words or phrases that drive people crazy, mostly because you're repeating them so often. For instance, I have one friend who says "basically" after every second or third word. I have another friend who ends almost every sentence with "or something."

Annoying your friends is one thing. But if you are a spokesperson or high-profile newsmaker, you may be hurting your image and diluting your message if you do this. One way to discover if you have this problem is to record an ordinary conversation and see if you are repeating any words or phrases unncessarily. Then listen or watch your media interviews and observe if you're repeating yourself.

Yesterday on "Good Morning America," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was talking about the Toyota recalls. He kept repeating the phrases "Hold their feet to the fire" and "take a back seat to nobody." I like the "back seat" phrasing when talking about cars, but I don't think it was intentional, and it got old after he said it twice. The phrases you want to repeat are your key messages, not meaningless cliches.

Handling Clueless Callers on a Live Show

Recently, on my talk show, a fun guest, Joel Zeff, was giving books away to listeners who would call in with a question about his topic. A first-time caller got through and asked about Randy Alcorn's Heaven book. I thought the caller was asking a question about it, so I said that it was considered the definitive book on Heaven, but did he have a question about the workplace for Joel? Then the caller had the audacity to ask about yet another unrelated book! I think he thought if he brought up every title on his wish list, we might mail him one!

Joel took it and ran with it. His experstise is improvisational humor, and boy, did he have fun with the caller not wanting his book.

In nearly four years of live radio and TV, I experienced more than a few callers that I couldn't connect with, but most were gracious, smart and generous.

If you, as a guest on a live show, encounter a caller whose comment doesn't seem appropriate or on topic, use humor if you can. If you're blank, give the host a "I need help" look, and let him or her take over. That's what they're paid for.

For instance, we had a weekly guest, a finanical coach named Parkey Thompson, and on one of his first appearances, a woman called and asked about laxatives. We all laughed uncomfortably, and then realized the caller had really meant her question for our previous guest, our health and wellness guru, King Hoover. So, it was easy to tell her to contact King by email or call back next week, but for now, we were taking money questions.

You know what? This miscommunication happens in real life, with everyday conversations. So if you want practice for live broadcasts, try talking to all ages of people with different backgrounds. As one broadcasting professor taught, "Talk and write for the five-year-old and 95-year-old. Make sure everyone understands you."

Details that Derail

When you're trying to get publicity, pay attention to the details. Here are a few turn-offs that immediately tell producers you're not ready for prime-time:

1. Mistakes in your emails or press releases. Proof-read. If you can't get it right on a document that you've had time to work on, why should producers take a chance on you to get it right on live TV or radio?

2. Low energy telephone call. When you call to pitch, be just as high-energy, fun and peppy as you will be during an interview. If you speak too slowly and sound bored, the producer figures that's how you will sound for the guest spot and be afraid to book you.

3. Guest does not fit the format of the show. Do your research. A publicist pitched me for a book last week saying it was like "Sex and the City." When I laughed politely and said then it wouldn't be a good fit since a Baptist pastor owned our TV station, she replied, "Oh, I'm so embarrassed." I'll be very careful about taking her pitches in the future, since I realize she doesn't know who our audience is.

4. Distracted or disorganized. Be on point when you call a reporter or producer. They work in minutes and seconds for a living and will only give you a few seconds before losing patience. Talk quickly and tell them immediately why you are a good fit for their program.

Take care of the details and get positive publicity!

Public Relations

Reportedly, Gore Vidal said, "Never miss a chance to have sex or appear on television."

And if that's not enough for you to increase your publicity efforts, Alan Corenk is quoted as saying, "Television is more interesting than people. If it were not, we would have people standing in the corners of our rooms."

But not all people like the spin doctors. Robert Fitzhenry said, "The art of publicity is a black art."

And you have to laugh at the lyrics to Jimmy Buffett's song "Public Relations" from his musical Don't Stop the Carnival:

Public Relations, Public Relations
Boozing and schmoozing, that's what I do
PR's my vocation
And I'm a sensation
Public relations
Such hullabaloo

I appreciate the talented PR folks who make my job easier. They are organized, responsive, easy to find when a problem pops up, and they don't push when I say, "This is just not a fit for our audience."

If you're hiring a PR professional, look for someone who responds to your calls and emails quickly, someone whose writing is free of mistakes, and someone who has nice manners. Those qualities will endear them to the reporters and producers to whom they're pitching your story.

Wild Abandon

Sometimes those being interviewed are nervous. If I could whisper words of encouragement to them beforehand, I would say, "We are interviewing you because your opinion counts. Just be yourself."

In the place where I'm working now, there are huge movie-screen-type monitors off to the side of the set, and routinely a person will catch his or her image, realize he or she is on national TV and suddenly exhibit signs of terror. On the other hand... occasionally, a guest will become so enamored of seeing himself on the screen that he will stare at himself. That makes it hard to continue the interview, too.

So the learning point is this: be your best self... maybe for you that's not wild abandon. But you're energized, you're on, you're confident, you have a message to share.

We can't wait to hear it.

Cures for Gapiosis

To my horror, I noticed in the monitor that my white bra was showing on national television! Mom called this "gapiosis," when your buttoned shirt gaps wide enough at the bust to show your lingerie underneath. Now let me set the record straight... this was not a Janet Jackson sighting... just a little bit of white in a field of royal blue.

I immediately clasped my hands together, covering the offending whiteness with my wrists. That was a stop-gap measure that worked temporarily. But here are a couple of steps you can take to prevent this dreaded disease from happening to you:

1. Wear a blouse without buttons. This is what my colleague Lisa Ryan does. She will wear a camisole under a button-up shirt, but never a buttoned shirt by itself. Or you could wear a blouse under a suit jacket that buttons or zips.

2. Use wardrobe or toupee tape. This is double-sided tape that holds the cloth between the buttons together. It works pretty well, but is hard to handle.

After the show, the first thing my husband said was, "Why did your producers let your bra show?" With a smile, I responded, "What? You didn't think it helped ratings?"

I went to the producers to ask them why they didn't alert me, and one said, "I didn't even notice." Let's hope the rest of the viewers didn't either.

Simulcasting

A few of the publicists and prospective guests pitching stories to me for my daily talk show can't seem to grasp the idea that it broadcasts on TV AND airs on radio at the same time.

Here's how I describe it in my email signature, and either people don't read it, or I need to do a better job: "Mornings airs on Sirius 161 from 6-9 am eastern. From 7-9 am eastern, the program is also simulcast on FamilyNet Television."

We're not the only ones doing it. You've heard of Don Imus, whose radio show now airs on RFD-TV. And if you're a sports fan, you probably know about Mike and Mike on ESPN.

Still, I get questions like:

• How can you be on the radio and the TV at the same time? (not only are we are going to a listening audience all over the U.S. and Canada by radio and across the U.S. by TV, Sirius plays our show live on the Internet!).
• When does your radio show end and when does the TV show start?
• Can I listen and watch at the same time?
• So you're on the air for five hours a day?

Because simulcasting is cheap television, expect to see more of it in this tight economy. The great news for those of you seeking publicity is that you get a bigger audience with simulcast shows!

Looking Your Best

So many questions I get are about how to look your best on camera. I've found a new product that will probably be of more interest to women than men. It helps your eyelashes grow! I was skeptical at first, but I tried it, and then came across an article about it. Apparently, people who were putting glaucoma drops in their eyes were growing fuller, thicker, longer lashes. So the product is based on that science.

The name brand I've been using is called, "RevitaLash." But the article I read said other manufacturers are about to come out with a similar product, so you might want to shop around. You put this on the base of your lids before going to bed, and it takes a few weeks to work, but it does work. So if you're lash-challenged, this may be good news to make you look better and feel more confident.

A cheaper alternative, but a big hassle: false eyelashes!

Pitching Tips

Here is a short (we love short), email-appropriate template for pitching yourself to TV producers or guest schedulers:

“With _______________ going on in our nation/world/community, my expertise—(use one phrase here)-- lends itself to helping your audience. So please consider me as a guest on (title of the show). In addition, I may be a good fit because ________________. As for visuals. I have video/jpeg photos/books/props that could lend themselves to a unique/fun/interesting/poignant segment.

“If you want to know more, please read the press release/article/feedback I have added below. Thanks for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

If this is true, add this sentence before that last paragraph: "Because I live in __________, I can be at your studio on short notice. Think of me if a guest cancels at the last minute."

Add your contact information, including your website. When people send long, complicated emails, the screeners are likely to delete them without a second thought.

One Big Thing that Irks a Producer

Our producer came unglued a few weeks ago when a publicist walked into the control room (from the studio audience) near the end of the LIVE program and started handing him notes and telling him what to do. At many news stations and production facilities, an unauthorized person can't gain access to the control room, but I've worked at several places where visitors are encouraged to watch the sausage being made. If you're visiting a place like this, DO NOT interrupt a live technical crew... unless you are the paying client.

If the control room has a closed door on it, do not open the door unless you are invited in. If you are invited in, please be silent until asked a question.

So, why did our producer get so upset? The publicist was waving papers in front of him, and he couldn't see the computer buttons to give us our time cues for the end of the show, so we kept talking and the program was over! It was ugly. That publicist and her clients won't be asked back.

Lessons from the Campaign, Part Two

Since I promised to give coaching tips to each candidate, Mike Huckabee has dropped out of the race, but I'll still give him advice, since some of you may benefit. With each candidate, I'll explain how you can apply the tip to yourself.

Huckabee--Watch the 5 o'clock shadow, Governor. It makes you look tired. And don't complain during the debate about the questions and time you're not getting. Instead, inspire and make the most of every second.

For everyone: Make sure you don't need a touch-up shave for a late-night interview or speech. Focus on the positive instead of complaining. Reporters don't like nags.

John McCain--Don't get short and testy with reporters. They will just report on your temper again. Instead, invite them to another barbecue.

For everyone: Don't say things to reporters such as, "That's not news." Don't yell at reporters. Don't curse reporters. You'll likely end up on YouTube. Reporters don't like to be yelled at.

Hillary Clinton--Spend time with a voice coach. When you raise your voice in rallies or when making a point in a debate, your voice gets shrill, strained and flat.

For everyone: If you do a lot of interviews or a lot of speeches, your voice could be damaged or strained. Consider hiring a voice coach. Reporters get tired of grating voices.
Typically, you can find a speech or voice expert at your local community college. Help can be had for as little as $50 per hour.

Barack Obama--When you're on your game, you're engaging and inspirational. Every once in a while though, we get a cutaway during a rally or a debate and you appear to be stifling a yawn or going cross-eyed with fatigue. Get some rest.

For everyone: As media savvy as you may be, remember Vince Lombardi. The coach told his players, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." Rest makes your skin glow and your voice resonate. Rest makes you think faster and articulate your thoughts easier. Reporters will get drowsy if you're boring. So keep them on their toes by being at your rested best.

Looking Your Best

I've been coaching a newsmaker who gives brilliant soundbites, but needs help when it comes to how he looks... not in terms of clothes or cosmetic appeal, but where he looks. When this fellow talks, he sticks his chin up. It makes it look as though he's looking down his nose at you in an arrogant manner. And to make it worse, his eyes dart around. He looks off in the distance, down at the floor, up at the ceiling--giving him the appearance of being shifty-eyed.

He's a quick learner, so he'll do fine in front of the TV cameras. But learn from his example. When you look at a reporter, tuck your chin down and hold eye contact. It's OK to look away, but do it slowly and deliberately.

That way, you'll always be looking good.

CNN-YouTube Debate

I loved the CNN-You Tube Democratic Debate last night. It was so cool to see what's on the minds of Americans across the country. The technology worked seamlessly, and Anderson Cooper did a decent job.

You might ask, "Lorri, is this the end of professional reporters?" Nah. Here's why: I bet those of you who didn't agree with the You Tube questioners' lifestyles, stances, or opinions didn't like the idea of them getting a forum in the debate.

Reporters who can ask questions without emotions tied to the queries or the responses are still in demand. But if this new technology gets Americans more involved in the political process, hey, I'll let go of a question or two.

The GOP CNN-You Tube debate is September 17th. I can't wait.

Promised Answers

How did you do on the list of items I gave you June 21? Did you wonder why you shouldn't say these phrases to people interviewing you?


Today, some explanation...

1. "No comment."

If you asked your spouse, boss or child an important question and they answered, "No comment," wouldn't you be frustrated? Sure, you would, but that's not the real reason to avoid this phrase with journalists. The main reason is it makes you look evasive, guilty or clueless.


2. “Are we rolling yet?”

Assume the cameras are rolling the moment a photographer steps onto your property.

3. “Can I see the story before it airs?”

Asking this offends reporters, because it suggests you do not trust them to write a fair and balanced story. You can ask, "May I review my quotes before the story prints?"

4. “When you're done filming...”

TV reporters (unless they're high-dollar documentarians) haven't filmed since the early 1980's. We "tape" or "record" now.

5. "Uh" or "You know"

Get rid of verbal fillers. They're distracting. One way to eliminate these from your speech is to participate in Toastmasters.

6. "Like I said earlier..."

TV reporters are looking for soundbites six to ten seconds long. This phrase will get edited.

7. "Can I start over?"

This makes you look like an amateur, but most producers or journalists will let you start again.

8. "That was off the record."

The rule of the game is that you must say, "off the record" before you give the information.

9. "Get me a copy of the raw footage."

Most outlets will not give you raw footage. But you can ask politely for a copy of the piece. It helps if you have your own DVD for copying purposes. And some organizations charge a small amount for dubs.

By the way, newsmakers have asked or said every one of these phrases to me--I didn't make them up!