If you landed a TV interview, congratulations! This is a huge milestone and an exciting opportunity to share your message with the masses.
But what about getting invited back? This might not even be on your radar yet because you’re busy celebrating your huge TV win (as you should be!), however, getting invited back provides massive exposure to continue engaging with your audience and ensuring your message sticks.
And to get invited back, you must be the best TV guest you can be the first time around.
Because Nardi’s Take? Getting invited back isn’t always a guarantee!
Getting that coveted invitation to come back after one interview takes preparation – preparation that Nardi Media believes should happen even before your interview as a first-time guest. That’s why it’s important to start thinking about it now.
If you don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place! Our team at Nardi Media is made up of former network TV producers and journalists (myself included!) and we know a thing or two about what it takes to make or break your chances of securing future bookings.
Here’s how to leave a lasting impression that will increase your chances of getting an invitation back to the studio:
1. Be Flexible and Available
When a TV producer calls, you need to be ready, especially for breaking news segments. Flexibility is key! If they need you to appear on short notice, try to be available. This level of commitment makes their job easier and increases your chances of getting invited back. Trust me, producers remember that!
If it’s an in-person interview, make every effort to be there. Producers prefer to have guests in-studio whenever possible because it often creates a far more engaging experience for their audience than Zoom can typically offer. Agreeing to show up in person, and on time, will help you be remembered!
2. Be Responsive
TV producers get thousands of emails daily, juggle dozens of tasks simultaneously, and work on tight deadlines. Trust me, I’ve been in their shoes! So, if a producer reaches out to you by phone or email asking for additional information to prep for your segment, make sure you respond as quickly as possible while you have their attention. Doing so will make their lives much easier and they will appreciate you for it!
3. Make Your Message Relatable to the Show’s Audience
In order to create the best possible experience for their viewers, TV producers want guests who can break down their expertise in a relatable and digestible way, and it’s your job to tailor your message accordingly. Think of it this way: the audience for NBC New York is entirely different from NBC Los Angeles. New York may lean heavily into hard news, while LA often covers lifestyle content. Similarly, The Doctors will have a very different audience from The Today Show. You can prepare by researching the show’s previously aired segments to understand what their audience is looking for.
Our client Rosanne Austin did this flawlessly. During her interviews, like this one with Bloom TV, she engaged the hosts by providing them a space to share their own personal stories and then connected their stories back to her message and expertise. Her authenticity resonated not only with the hosts but also with the viewers, making the conversation much more meaningful and engaging for everyone. As a result, Rosanne received both multiple rebooking opportunities and positive feedback for her relatability!
4. Stay on Message
Before stepping into the studio, make sure you have a clear communication statement: a few sentences describing your message and your “why”. You’ll also want to do some brainstorming on the questions you might get asked in your interview. Once you’ve developed your clear communications statement and anticipated interview questions, it’s time to practice, practice, and practice some more! All of these tips will help you become the driver of your own interview and bring the conversation back to your message. They also ensure you deliver your key points concisely and with confidence, no matter how the conversation flows. Just remember: when in doubt, tie the conversation back to your message! Nardi Media offers Private Media Training Services to help our clients master the art of interviewing.
5. Offer a Framework for Your Expertise
Producers love it when you can package your insights in a digestible way, and one of the best ways to do this is by creating a framework for your expertise or message, just as I did with my BE HEARD Framework on Fox 5’s LION Lunch Hour. Producers appreciate frameworks because they make your expertise easy to understand and provide actionable takeaways for their viewers. TV segments often only last a few minutes, so every minute counts! Having a framework helps keep your interview simple, structured, and straightforward for any audience to understand in a short period of time.
6. Use Visuals and Props When You Can
Producers also love visuals. Why? The same reason as offering a framework: they make information easily digestible for their audience. Whether you’re a nutritionist like Toni Okamoto and Michelle Cehn on KTLA 5 who can take viewers through a cooking demo of a recipe they’d love or a life coach like Mel Robbins on the TODAY Show who can demonstrate how to cheer yourself on to curate positive energy using a mirror, visuals help keep the audience engaged and allow producers to add a dynamic element to the broadcast.
7. Look the Part
You don’t need a full glam team to transform yourself into a TV-ready guest, but looking polished goes a long way and helps keep your audience focused on what’s important: your message! Wear makeup, even if it’s minimal. This will prevent you from looking washed out by the camera’s bright lights. You can also do your hair in a way that makes you feel confident and stays away from your face. Lastly, avoid wearing bold patterns or clunky jewelry. You want the focus to be on your message, not your accessories!
8. Be Compassionate and Patient
Producers work tirelessly behind the scenes to set up not only your interview but many other interviews throughout the day. Showing kindness, patience, and gratitude for their efforts will not only make their job easier but help you stand out for future opportunities. Let them remember you for your positive attitude, not the alternative.
9. Say Thank You
After your interview, email the producer a thoughtful thank you note. Let them know you appreciated the opportunity and that you’d love to come back in the future. Building a positive relationship goes a long way in the world of media, and a simple gesture like this can set you apart from other guests.
Want to Ensure You Get Invited Back as a Guest on TV?
Our team at Nardi Media will guide you every step of the way. We’ll not only help you land your dream TV placements, we’ll offer media training to ensure you return back to the studio time and time again.
Contact us here to start your media journey: https://nardimedia.com/contact/.