Promoting your message, business, product or cookbook on radio or television? While it’s exciting to know you’ll reach a large audience, the pressure to talk live can be daunting. Over the last dozen years or so I have made hundreds of visits to media outlets both in my home base of Edmonton and in other Alberta locations. Here are a few tips I would like to pass along to help make your media event a success and generates return visits.

Besides planning your presentation:

Be on time:

• If you are scheduled to appear before or after regular station business hours, ask if there is an after-hours telephone number you can call in case of emergency. In an after-hours scenario, find out how you get into the facility.
• Ask when the station would like you to arrive. Arrival time is particularly important in after-hours interviews. Somebody may have to let you into the station during a break in programming. Allow yourself ample time for set up.
• Know the route to the event location, especially in an unfamiliar city. Many live morning television shows, do their “hits” from locations other than their station.
• Ensure you leave with a full tank of gas if you’re driving. Taxiing? Book the cab ahead of time. Either way, allow ample time to get to your destination.

You may be asked to provide contact information for the public, recipes for website posting, a cookbook for reviewing and possibly promotional items for give-aways prior to your interview. So…

Be Prepared

• Double check your information to make sure it’s correct. An error in your telephone information can be costly as well as embarrassing.
• Bring additional copies of the information with you. If possible, pass the information onto the station receptionist since this is the person who answers all the calls from people who didn’t get the complete information on the air.
• Save one copy of the information for the interviewer, just in case their information is incomplete.
• Find out what equipment is available and functional. Never assume any kitchen set in a television station is fully equipped or functional.
• Double check when packing your gear. Do  you have everything you need for your presentation? If doing a cooking demonstration, include clean up items like garbage bags, hand sanitizer, paper towels and disposable gloves.
• Pack bottled water if at an all day or outdoor event.

Look Professional

• Make sure your hair, clothes (and make up if you wear it) are neat, professional, and suitable for the occasion — even if you’re going on the radio. Although the listening audience won’t see you, the interviewer and producer will get an eyeful. And some radio programs may be viewed on line these days.

I’ve outlined the basic check points for a media event. You’ll likely find variations between media outlets and appearances will require you to adjust accordingly. With limitless scenarios, do you have any tips you’d care to pass along?

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Posted by Barbara Barnes. Barbara Barnes is a home economist who has authored more than 20 ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen Cookbooks. She presents regular cooking segments on the CTV Edmonton Noon News.
Photo © dailyinventions. Published under a Creative Commons License.