How to pitch the national morning shows
Once again, I started to write a blog post about pitching Good Morning America and found this great article with the basics from a guy named Mort Fleischner. (Who couldn’t trust a guy named Mort?) I’ve included the first part, but please click through to the original article as well – his ‘don’ts’ are excellent advice!
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New York City born and raised, Mort is a graduate of Columbia University School of Journalism, New York University, and Stuyvesant High School. He resides just outside of the city with his wife Anita and two daughters. He currently consults with some of the leading news programs and reporters on-air.
Join him as he shares some secrets on how to get onto Good Morning America.
DO
…Make a cold call to the Good Morning America (GMA) studios news desk and ask for the name and any contact information you can get of the producers who handle the area you are pitching: books, business, politics, money, health, sex – you name it! Be sure you get the correct spelling, as well as their email address and if possible, a phone number. If they will not give you the phone number, you can at the very least get the Good Morning America mailing address and the correct contact that you should be pitching.
…Send your material and a brief and concise pitch letter or email to the producer, along with all appropriate contact information. Be sure to paint a picture as to why their viewers may be interested in your story or product. Be sure to mention your ability to employ visuals into your segment that will make it more appealing as a televised story.
…Be sure you have all the elements of your pitch organized before you send it out to the producers. Morning shows work fast and they will not want to wait around for you to get organized if and when they reach out to you.
…Write out what you are going to say before you pitch and rehearse it. Keep talking points and important information in front of you just in case you forget what you want to say in the heat of the moment. When on the phone, be enthusiastic, keep it short, and remember that there is a fine line between pitching and being pushy. Pushy folks do not get on television.
…Wait about a week and then call back. You might get lucky and someone will answer, either a producer or their assistant/intern. If no one answers keep trying, and note that a voice message will do nothing for you unless you are Tom Cruise or Sharon Stone so just hang up and call again another time. For the rest of the article from collective-e.com go here.
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I would add also that having video “in the can” is a big plus. But sorry, your Flip won’t be enough. If you really have a good story, hire a professional and go shoot some background footage. Great visuals always give you a leg up and worst case, you can always use it for a Video News Release later.
Questions about pitching morning shows?
Tags: Bonnie Harris, how to pitch morning shows, national morning shows, pitching good morning america, Public Relations
July 1st, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Many different morning shows are airing these days. I have to say I like the daily buzz and depending on what subjects are broadcasting the Today show is also alright. Any of the others though are too boring for me.
July 2nd, 2010 at 7:41 am
Great advice. Most of that applies to print media too, in my experience. Be polite but firm, and don’t expect them to be bowled over by your pitch.
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:48 am
Interesting stuff, in the UK we’ve got Good Morning Britain and the BBC version which are great but having spent quite a lot of time in the States I love US morning TV. It’s very professional polished and I still just love that US accent!
S
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:58 am
Oh, they’re always bowled over by MY pitches. (NOT)
July 3rd, 2010 at 1:41 pm
be super patient, and also have a track record. timing is also important.
July 5th, 2010 at 1:40 am
Thank you I enjoyed reading
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July 5th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Great info. I have been trying to cold call for months and have not gotten very far! I am going to try some of these tips and see if I have better luck!
July 6th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Working for a company whose products were featured on the Today Show, I wish I could have had this article before hand! Thanks for the great tips.
July 6th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Doesn’t sound like you needed it – congrats!
July 6th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
I found the time to call paragraph in the Don’t section really helpful. You try to be considerate of their time, so it’s great to get information from someone who knows their daily routine.
July 21st, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Are you saying that the average person is in with a chance of getting on national morning shows? How often does this happen? I would love it to be the case but I don’t want to get my hopes up.
July 21st, 2010 at 12:39 pm
If you’re not TOO picky about the topic, of course! GMA just did a query this morning looking for someone who was getting over a break up. If you have a good segment pitch, and it’s timely there is no reason why you aren’t as viable as someone with a high powered PR rep. Happens all the time. The point the social media experts make about producers looking for experts online is true….if you build a strong platform they might find you. If you send them a pitch and they look you up, even better. But emphasis on GOOD PITCH. Make sure you know what that looks like!
July 22nd, 2010 at 2:53 pm
I was reading an article on this the other day and it is amazing the success you have if you can get in with the right people! We do marketing for small businesses in Orange County and have been trying to work this into our clients planning for years!
October 5th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
The points you have touched here are really important. Thanks for this information. Really helpful!
November 26th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
I have been on TV several times in Chicago. The producers want to have great guests that will interest their audience. That simple.
November 2nd, 2011 at 2:33 am
Besides watching US morning TV I don’t actually watch TV any more but I wish I had the time to watch. Powerful pitches are energizing to watch so keep going and keep it up, we need national shows!