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Working in PR, you’re constantly tasked with getting your clients targeted, exciting and highly relevant media coverage.  We work with a lot of print and online publications. But, one of the most exiting “hits” – for both the agency and the client – is the broadcast placement.  Not only does broadcast itself garner tremendous visibility for your client, it often extends to online and sometimes print coverage.

How can you achieve this type of placement? There’s no doubt that airtime is competitive.  Having a great, timely announcement or product launch will certainly help your chances, but there are also some best-kept secrets that go a long way in grabbing the attention of a show’s booking directors.

Here are the top 5 tips for pitching and landing a broadcast hit:

1. Make sure your pitch is brief and to the point – no more than a paragraph.
2. Include video. TV bookers want to know that the person coming to speak on the show is good at speaking in front of a camera. Take out the guesswork and include a link to a YouTube video or a video on your company’s website.
3. Tie your pitch to a major event or trend. If you’re pitching a travel package, tie it in to upcoming Spring Break or summer vacation trends.
4. Pitch 3-4 weeks in advance. If it’s a fit, the show will want to secure a relevant interview timeslot a week or two in advance.
5. Do your research and pitch the right person! Pitching the person who actually assigns the stories can make all the difference. If your pitch winds up in an inbox of someone who doesn’t assign stories, it will go unnoticed – and most likely be deleted.

Kelsey Rodenbiker
Zer0 to 5ive Strategist
Twitter: @KRodenbiker