State of TV News

"Increasingly, people find local TV news repetitive and not nutritious." - Tom Rosenstiel, director of the Project for Excellence in Journalism, comments to Gail Shister at the Philadelphia Inquirer

How is your local TV news? Do you get the who, what, where, why and how of what is going on in your community or do you get gossip and rehashed press releases? Complain to your stations if you're tired of repetitive, idiotic news. News Directors are notorious for paying attention to ratings and focus groups, so real, live feedback matters. You can make a difference.

Dumb Things to Say When You're Being Interviewed

• "No comment."
• “Are we rolling yet?”
  “Can I see the story before it airs?”
• “When you're done filming...”
• "Uh"
• "You know"
• "Like I said earlier..."
• "Can I start over?"
• "That was off the record."
• "Get me a copy of the raw footage."

Stay tuned for a future blog that explains why these are bozo comments. Or schedule a free media audit with me!

Reality or Really Silly?

Making News: Texas Style is a new reality show on an obscure channel. My husband and I love it, even though the production values could be better. We love it because we have lived small town television in Texas.

But if you happen to catch an episode in order to better understand behind-the-scenes news operations, please know that some of the drama is contrived and exaggerated. For instance, a reporter loses her cool because a truck honks at her during a live shot. If she gets this upset in real life, she needs to get a real life.

Learning From the Politicians

Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing former Arkansas governor and 2008 presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. I say "pleasure" because it's always a thrill to interview someone who is forthright, doesn't dodge questions, and is willing to have a little fun in the process. For instance, Governor Huckabee performed a few of his impressions before we tackled more serious topics.

I also asked the candidate about his 100-pound weight loss. He said he learned to avoid meals you get through a car window. He could have said, "Doctors told me to stay away from fast food." But his answer was more interesting.

When I complimented him on doing well in the presidential debates, he didn't boast, nor was he demure. Instead, he said, "It's been a good forum for me."

When we got to issues like the war, he explained his stance in a matter of fact way without condescension or obfuscating jargon.

No matter your political allegiance or presidential choice, you can learn from all soundbite kings. So, keep your eye on candidate Huckabee. Even if you don't like his platform, you might enjoy his impressions.

Grass Roots Publicity

Recently, a friend asked about press releases. She wanted to know whether spending a few hundred dollars to use a wire service to disseminate her release was a good investment. The bottom line answer is, "It depends."

I encouraged her, if she had the time, to create her own grass roots service. The way to do this: send the press release personally to all the journalists with whom she's developed a relationship. It's better to put the release in the body of an e-mail--many reporters won't open an unsolicited attachment. As a journalist, I'm much more likely to open the e-mail of someone who's a respected source than just consider a press release randomly sent by a service. In fact, unless the subject line is compelling, I'll delete the e-mail from a service without even looking at the release.

However, on a slow news day, news professionals are eager to consider every story idea. Reporters will look at trends, issues and more to see if they can combine a couple of newsmakers to come up with a unique report.

So try it both ways and see what kind of response you get.

Bonus Tip: Always post your press releases to your website's "pressroom." Reporters will read them when they're researching.

Noisemakers

Recently, a client I was coaching for a radio interview later that afternoon had dropped her young daughter off at a daycare so that the little one would not make any background noise during the interview.

"That's smart!" I told the client.

Too bad not all of the people I interview on my radio show are that smart. It happened again this week. A woman was doing a great job as a guest. She was animated, knowledgeable and interacted well with the callers. Then, we heard a cacophony of pots and pans. On-air talent is taught to acknowledge something that loud, so the listeners won't be alarmed or distracted. My co-host said, "Are you cooking breakfast?" The guest replied, "You heard that?" You think that would've been clue enough for her to stop and focus on the radio show. But then we heard water running.

Please, if you are granted the gift of airtime, do not squander it by getting preoccupied by household chores. In the 15 months I've been hosting a talk show, we've heard guests get email, type on a keyboard, cook bacon, let the dog out and have their cell phone ring.

Turn off the other phones, turn down the computer volume, put the dog outside where we can't hear it bark, and be smart like my client--think of the little ones and the little details that can make a big difference.

Interview with Author Peggy Collins, Part Two

Author and speaker Peggy Collins has been reaching out to the media about her ground-breaking new book, Help is NOT a Four-Letter Word. In Part Two of her interview, she shares tips about publicity.

Soundbite Coach (SC): Peggy, you have booked many interviews yourself and also hired a publicist. Which route do you recommend?

Peggy Collins (PC): Functioning as your own publicist is a full time job. If one has the time, I think it’s fun and rewarding. We authors can build a rapport with that producer that someone one-removed from the product just can’t do. I also have a sales and marketing background so it’s doing what I’ve always done. Many have trouble selling and a publicist is the perfect answer.
After a month of being my own publicist, I realized how much time it was going to take away from marketing my speaking, so I made the decision to hire a publicist and still keep my hand in, lining up whatever I can.

I had sound advice from a friend who had employed this particular PR firm and it’s a wonderful choice. The staff is doing a great job.

SC: What is the best way to work with a publicist?

PC: The publicists will lay out a strategy based on information you provide on their questionnaire. The best way I’ve found to support the publicist to accomplish that strategy is communication, communication, communication!

If I’m doing anything to line up an interview, I let her know up front and keep her advised so we don’t double-book. Once a week, I send a list of names that I’ve sent books to, based on her requests. That way, she’ll know when to follow-up. If an interviewer says he or she would like to have me back on, I let the publicist know so she can follow-up. If I see an opportunity for a market we’re not pursuing, I brainstorm with her via email. If I’m given an option to do something a little unusual-like a midnight talk show in studio in NY, I always ask her advice.
When specialized phone lists are rolled out that fit my niche, I have purchased one and we have split it up for coverage.

SC: You were good about calling anyone you knew who might have a relationship with a reporter or show host. What kind of results did you get?

PC: As always, networking is the best tool to creating instant rapport with a reporter or talk show host because you’re borrowing someone’s credibility to connect with that person. I’ve found it the very best way to get booked.

SC: What advice do you have for other authors and speakers?

PC: Lots of it! Here goes:

· Get started early in planning your publicity. I didn’t know that and it would have saved me so much “learning curve time.” There are many things you can do prior to the publishing date that your publisher may never tell you.
· Start saving or setting up a rather large budget (or as much as you can afford) because every expert out there has bundled knowledge and it has a price tag on it. I utilized many of these types of packages and teleseminars to “hit the ground running.” It’s like building a home. It’s always going to cost more than you think and often success is tied to how much money you’re willing to spend.
· You’ll also need a book-buying budget although a national publisher will sell to you at a discount. You’ll be sending out a large number of books to prospective interviews and interested people, and you’ll have mailing expense as well.
· Figure out who you can get to write reviews prior to publication.
· Decide if you’re going to use a PR firm or do your own and network to choose the right fit.
· Ask yourself: What do you want to accomplish? National recognition? Local? All important in laying out a plan and thinking it through before you are faced with having to do it.
· Radio interviews - print media – TV - Virtual Author Tours - booksignings - teleseminars - webinars - feeding articles to the Internet - being utilized as an expert, having a blog - writing for other blogs - doing an Amazon blitz - signing up on all the search engines - all are tactics that you need to become knowledgeable about prior to launching a PR campaign.
· What specialized lists can you buy that will help direct your campaign?
· What sites represent your niche? Think about writing an article or advertising on that site. · Every interaction is an opportunity to get the word out there. Look at emails coming to you. How can you capitalize by letting that person know about your book?
· Whether you’re picking up your cleaning or eating at a restaurant, carry marketing pieces to strike up a conversation. I’ve used magnets with my book title on them.

SC: Peggy, that is such great advice. Thanks so much for teaching the world to ask for help and for giving us your help!