The first month of every new year is a time for many to reflect on the goals you’ve set for yourself and your business. If one of these goals include air time on a local television station of your choice it would be wise to know how producers schedule their programming.
Breaking news is inherently unpredictable, but regular programming is planned according to “evergreens” — topics that follow the events and festivities of the calendar year. Keeping track of this calendar makes it easier for producers to plan ahead, and it gives a chance to entrepreneurs everywhere to pitch stories that relate to the topic of the month to get some much-coveted airtime.
Here’s what you should keep in mind if you want to land a guest spot on a TV programme:
Know the cycles:
The beginning of the year is anything but blah on the small screen. A number of experts are invited on shows to weigh in on their predictions for the year ahead on everything from politics, the economy, crime and world events. Health and fitness shows take a good part of the pie with experts trying to help people stick to their New Year’s resolutions, shed a few pounds in time for the Carnival Season (notably in Trinidad and Tobago) and get into healthy eating habits in time for March’s National Nutrition Month.
Following the Carnival festivities in Trinidad and Tobago the religious season of Lent begins with key persons being invited on programmes to give their reflections on the season. There is Mother’s Day in May, Father’s Day in June and other holidays religious and otherwise throughout the year. Popular occasions recognized by corporate organizations include Breast Cancer Awareness month in October and there are several major conferences and conventions being hosted in Trinidad and Tobago this year that are ripe with opportunities. The Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) and the Energy Conference remain annual events that garner media attention.
As an Entrepreneur with a product or service to offer that can easily be aligned with any of the events/festivities on the calendar, it is important to know important dates and where you may fit in.
Prepare your pitch:
Even if you’re working on a story about World Environment Day in June, you should always start ahead of time and pitch your idea early in the year. Producers plan segments ahead of time and they also plan guests. So if you want a chance to be considered as a replacement for a regular guest, make yourself known in advance.
Make sure you explain how your expertise ties into an event or a holiday, and offer ideas that can be useful to the audience. The producer has to recognize that your story will be compelling enough for viewers to take their eyes off their tablets and on to you or usable as a follow-up story for the evening news.
Stay on the Producer’s radar:
If you are considered for a segment, don’t fall in the cracks of time and be forgotten. Check back regularly with the producer, alternating between a call, an email and maybe a courtesy retweet now and then. Get as much information as possible about the allotted time, seating arrangements and any other questions you may have. The more prepared you are, the more professional you will be, and the more chances you have of getting invited on the set again.
TV timing is all about preparing for both the expected and the unexpected. Look at your calendar and see which season would make your brand a perfect addition to a show. But if you do get cancelled because of breaking news, don’t give up. Try again until you can find your spot.
Here’s a list of Commemorative Days provided by Wikipedia that should guide you.
Brownie Communication Concepts