I get an enormous amount of emails from people asking me how they can get on my talk show or interview them on my blog. First off, if you notice I don’t really interview people on my blog anymore because it has gotten very time consuming for me. I am also revamping my talk show and that is on hiatus till further notice. I plan on doing some great things when I start filming my new season with Talking with Tami. Right now I have alot of hosting gigs, helping Lisa Wu Hartwell with bookings and plus we cant forget I have a live streaming show and a family. Pink suga tired lol.
Well I thought today to sit down and write a post of some effective ways to pitch you, your product or story ideas successfully to someone. Have you ever heard of a elevator pitch? Well alot of people need to do research on that method so you don’t bore the pants off of someone about what your doing lol. Nothing like listening to someone go on and on about nothing, especially if your not interested. I have a very low attention span (ask my hubby) so you will have to gain my interest within a few minutes. Here are some great pointers if you want to pitch someone.
- Please make sure that you do research on the media outlet beforehand. If you know “ME”, I am all about Girl Power,fun, exciting new finds and things plus inspirational stories. I like some celebrity stuff but nothing negative on my show or blog.The reason that I don’t want to cover things that are sad or depressing is because I grew up in a very dysfunctional environment, I was very depressed and sad as a child, so I don’t want to ever be around sadness ever again, if I can help it. There are other media outlets that might take your story but I shy away from them. I don’t mean any harm I just can’t.
- Try to grab the person you’re pitching, attention within the first few minutes of conversation. Please make it short and sweet, peoples time is very valuable.
- Know your demographics. Why are you pitching someone who’s demographics is mainly women and you have a book out about sports or something not related to that person’s audience?
- Believe in your product even if noone else does. Nothing like talking to someone who looks apprehensive about what they are doing. It’s a dead give a way that you don’t even believe in it and others won’t either.
- Please have and I repeat, please have a website up, working contact number/email and please stay away from having a myspace account to show your product. Noone will take you serious. Using a networking sites such as myspace, twitter or facebook to promote your product looks very unprofessional. Please work on this before you pitch media outlets.
- If you send an email, please attach a one sheeter. A one sheeter is one full page of what you have or about you with some pictures and information. Please do not make it any longer, people don’t have time to read all of that stuff.
- If you want to send a sample in the mail, include your media kit,which includes a folder, press releases, samples, maybe pics of the product.
- Make sure when you send someone a sample, that it’s the best you have. I have gotten soo many samples and they look like someone made it in their basement. I will not review it or even mention on my show because it will make you and me look bad, sorry. Would you send the Oprah show that mess? I’m just saying.
- It’s really good to have someone represent you too. You look more professional if you have a pr person or rep.
- Don’t be arrogant and tell the media outlet when your available for an interview. Your showing your true colors and how bossy you are already. I usually delete those type of emails and calls. How are you going to tell me when you can do “My” show? How do you even know if I am interested? I stay away from people like that, no way!
- Learn to take “no” for an answer and keep it moving, enough said. No need in stalking or getting upset if someone doesn’t want to interview you. Everyone has their reasons, it’s nothing personal.
- Network and hand out your card to the appropriate people. Treat people kind and it will work out!
I hope that I have helped you and good luck with all your endeavors!
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