Create a TV Pitch Letter

Lots of people call me who want to get on Oprah, Good Morning America, Fox and Friends, and The View. Most don't know that if they can envision the show, map out the theme, plan the guests, create the props, and then bring their knowledge and expertise to the table, speaking in 10-20 second soundbites, then they'll have a winner show.

I know it sounds obvious, but many people aren't familiar with the show format or the hosts' style because they haven't bothered to watch the shows so their pitches are off-base. These are high-level shows and the producers want you to be intimate with the content, pacing, length of each segment, and host's manner. To be ignorant of these things shows disrespect and could give you and your business a bad name. Also, if you don't perform well on the show you've pretty much squelched your chances of being on other top TV talk shows as the producers know each other and talk about the flops. To be one of the successes follow these tips.

1. Start with a Headline that Spells Out the Story.

Supernanny Teams With An Acclaimed Autism Expert To Help A Child Who Is An Outsider In His Own Home On Supernanny, November 4, ABC. This is the headline from an excellent press release. It tells you what the problem is and who is going to solve it--but not how. Enticing. "Outsider in his own home" is immediately appealing as you can already feel the emotion that the show promises.

2. State the Graphic Details of the Problem and Your Credentials to Solve it.

Supernanny Jo Frost teams with world-renowned autism expert Dr. Lynn Koegel to tackle the parenting issues faced by a family whose three-year-old son is an outsider in his own home. This episode of Supernanny airs on Friday, November 4 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Deirdre and Trae Facente don't know how to integrate their autistic son Tristin into their daily life with their twins, Kayla and Marlana (4). Tristin is completely non-verbal, caught up in his own world of spinning, jumping, swinging and, often, taking off his clothes. The only time he spends with his family is sitting at the dinner table. The twins, who demand much of their stay-at-home mom's attention, can't figure out how to play with their little brother.

The parents are at a loss as to how to help Tristin come out of his zone and join the family.

"World-renowned autism expert" lets you know that the guest has weight. You get a clear idea of what family life looks like in the Facente household and can immediately see how divided the family is. It's a dramatic situation that has pathos and promises to be good TV. The specific details of "Tristin is completely non-verbal, caught up in his own world of spinning, jumping, swinging and, often, taking off his clothes," gives you an immediate sense of what the show will look like. And it even has humor. I mean, what mom wouldn't be mortified if a neighbor dropped in and one of her kids was swinging and spinning about in the nude?

3. Tell How You're Going to Provide a Solution.

Enter Dr. Koegel and Supernanny. Together they refine the classic Supernanny methods and teach all the Facentes Dr. Koegel's inclusion and communication techniques to help engage Tristin. For example, when they introduce the new daily schedule to everyone, Dr. Koegel uses a picture board with Tristin to help him understand in a concrete way.

Notice that you're given just a little detail about "communication techniques", but not what they are or how they'll be used. One example is given (picture board) and it is again very visual, conforming with what works on TV. While this show has already taped and the end of the story is known, in your pitch you'll imagine what will take place on the show as if it has already taped. You'll define your role and the actions that you and others will take and map it out visually for the producers.

4. Show Dramatic Visible Results.

In just a week, silent Tristin goes from zero words to speaking hundreds of times using over 20 new words. He is bursting with requests to play a favorite game, be tickled or eat a treat. Step-by-step, Jo and Dr. Koegel help the parents keep Tristin from his disruptive behaviors by including him in family chores and activities. These efforts culminate in the boy helping his dad set the table, a seemingly mundane task that is so miraculous for Tristin, it brings tears to Trae's eyes.

In a sense this show is a "make-over" program. It touches on mundane chores, the fabric of a family and creates poignancy. Success is unmistakable and quantified succinctly by explaining that Tristin is transformed from a mute to a chatterer (zero words to speaking hundreds of time using over 20 new words).

5. Give Your Credentials.

Lynn Kern Koegel, Ph.D is one of the world's foremost experts on the treatment of autism. She and her husband, Robert L. Koegel, Ph.D., founded the renowned Koegel Autism Center at the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She co-wrote the bestselling book on autism, "Overcoming Autism: Finding the Answers, Strategies, and Hope that can Transform a Child's Life," which was recently released in paperback, and also co- authored, with Robert Koegel, the new book, "Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism."

While you don't have to have written a book, it helps. Books published by established and respected publishing houses carry clout. This husband and wife team even have their own center at a respected university. What's critical here is your experience and your results. Especially for TV you must be able to show that you've achieved results and have influence in your field.

Article Source: http://www.elrincondelantropologo.com/