NBC-15 Anchors/Reporters share tips on pitching to TV news
Tim Elliott and Erin Sullivan from the NBC-15 “Morning Show” team met with Madison area public relations professionals on Wednesday, March 8, for an informative Q&A session and studio tour. Highlights of the discussion included pitching TV media, best practices, and storytelling.
Following are three of the tips Elliot and Sullivan shared:
It may seem obvious, but TV is visual. When pitching a TV station for a story, ensure you have supporting visuals in still or video format. Also, have your subject matter expert available and camera-ready for in-person or virtual interviews. Remember, these items help determine if your story is more suited for print or TV.
Keep your pitches relevant. Think “why this” and “why now.” A new offering or new data to support local initiatives can help increase your chances of getting picked up. Even having a subject matter expert comment on a worldly topic and how it relates to the local community can be beneficial.
While Zoom interviews are still happening, it’s happening less and less. TV news prefers to interview people where they are. In-person interviews allow the filming of b-roll to accompany the interview and a more authentic conversation.
Following the Q&A, Elliott led a tour around NBC-15, where we saw additional aspects of the TV business, including the news set, newsroom, and control room. A big thank you and shout out to NBC-15 for this fantastic opportunity.