findaTVexpert: TV IndustryTestimonials

I think findaTVexpert.com provides a fantastic service - but I set it up so I'm slightly biased. So as findaTVexpert has just celebrated it's fourth business birthday, I asked some TV people what they thought. Here's what they said ...

Jacqueline Hewer - Head of Daytime, Leopard Films

"Happy 4th Birthday findatvexpert.com!  It's a well-deserved celebration. The genius of this website is that everyone on it wants to be on the telly, so as a programme-maker, I can by-pass all those long, pointless conversations trying to persuade someone to appear on camera. The showreels mean I can see whether someone has what it takes before you even make contact. And thanks to Claire's brilliant service and genuine TV experience, all the experts know what being on TV entails, they know what will be expected of them, and they want to do a good job. Congratulations on a successful first 4 years."

Barbara Altounyan - Director of Programmes, FlameTV.  "Whenever we hatch a new format we don't celebrate as you'd expect. We groan loudly .... who could possibly present this show and anyway where are our charismatic experts to underpin our impossibly ambitious premise? Since Claire started her fantastic website we heave a sigh of relief, there's surely someone on her list who fits our brief! Of course there is. Where would be without Claire Richmond?"

Katie Boyd - Features Commissioner, Channel 4
"Claire has self-started a fantastic online resource. In the ever flourishing world of factual television there's always a need for new experts. And with great enterprising spirit, Claire saw this need and created a platform which easily unites TV producers w/ potential experts at the click of a button. Congratulations Claire on such great initiative. Congratulations findaTVexpert on 4 successful years.
May there be many more!"

Nicola Ibison - Head of Factual, James Grant Management "Happy birthday findaTVexpert. You're a treasure trove for any TV company seeking the next big factual name."

Damon Pattison - MD, Lucky Day Productions
"Happy Birthday! I can't believe you're only 4 - you look a lot older. All the time and worry that you have saved me finding experts has added years to my life!"

Helen Dower - TV Exec, Betty
"Happy 4th birthday findatvexpert. Four years of promoting some of the best new talent around. Here's to many more years of providing expertise in the industry and continued success for one of the top media tools in the business."

Hugo Ward - Head of Current Affairs, Raw Cut
"Happy Birthday findaTVexpert. 4 years eh... what did we do before you were around? It has been a revelation working with Claire and her wonderful clients; a revelation that has made my job so much easier. FindaTVexpert is a reliable hub where you can always find quality contributors. Many happy returns - I look forward to working closely with you in years to come."

Mark Murphy - MD, etv
"If the internet made every researchers job much easier, Find a TV Expert made it much better, providing a much needed quality filter. For etv it's now an invaluable time and money saving tool. So, Happy 4th Birthday to all the team, and may there be many more."

Reem Nouss - Reem Nouss MediaHappy Birthday to Claire and findaTVexpert.com! You've been a pioneer in this area - well done on another successful year!"

June Ford Crush - TV Agent"Congratulations Claire on your 4th birthday. You are a now a permanent fixture in the industry and your success is well deserved.  Agents can't take on experts all the time and you provide a very valuable service to both new and established talent."

Paul Woof - Head of Development, Maverick
"FindaTVexpert is a terrific service and each bulletin is full of interesting people. I look forward to it going from strength to strength!" 

findaTVexpert: Success Stories

I set up findaTVexpert.com four years ago to help bridge the gap between the professionals and the programme makers. And it's working. Here are the names of some of the experts who've been found on findaTVexpert  and signed up for different TV opportunities.

Roy B, Art & Architecture: signed up as one of the expert judges on Lucky Day Productions' Show me the Monet series for BBC2. Filming for the second series has finished and will TX in the summer.

Dr Anita S, GP w/specialist interest in Dermatology: signed up as the Doctor Presenter on Series 2 of betty's The Joy of Teen Sex for Channel 4.

Rob B, Engineering, Adventure & Extreme Sport: currently filming a new engineering series for BBC2, due to TX in the Autumn.

Sian A, Lady Builder, Interior Design, Landlord, Property: currently filming a new propery/DIY show for Channel 5 for TX in the summer.

Ben H, Award Winning TV Designer & Renovation Expert: signed up as one of the designers on RDF's Renovation Game for Channel 4.

 Mike E, Medical Historian, War Wounds & Trauma Surgeon: booked as an expert contributor for Channel 4's Crusaders: Back from the Dead, BBC2's E Numbers: an Edible Adventure and BBC South's The History of the World: Alfred the Great.

 Janet T, Tapping for Weight Loss, Anxiety & Depression: went head to head with another expert in Channel 4's Who Knows Best: Fighting the Fat.

 Roger S, Residential & Commercial Property Expert: has been an expert contributor on This Morning, BBC News and the BBC's Don't Get Done Get Dom.

Dr Abigael S, Doctor of Clinical Psychology: was an expert contributor on Sky Real Lives' War on Fat and has worked behind the scenes accessing contributors for Endemol's Supersize vs Superskinny and new Secret Eaters series for Channel 4.

Phill W, Hands on Restoration & Sustainable Building Expert: signed up as a judge on BBC3's new 'Young Carpenter of the Year' series which TX'd earlier this year.

Lady Lesley C, Aristocratic Tamer: Horses, Cattle & Kids: booked as an expert contributor for Endemol's Superscrimpers: Waste Not Want Not series for Channel 4.

Sean B, Confidence & Communication Expert: booked as an expert contributor on Channel 5's The Vanessa Show.

Sarah M, Molecular Scientist: the human body: booked as an expert contributor on Plum TV's E Numbers: an Edible Adventure for the BBC.

Craig H, Classical Historian: presented several features for BBCs Inside Out.

Victoria G, Dr. of Counselling Psychology & Coach: booked as an expert contributor on Sky Living's ChickFix, Channel 5's Live with Gabby and Channel 5's Extraordinary People.

If you're an expert - and if you want to increase your chances of being found by the TV industry - do what these experts have done and click here to register on findaTVexpert.com.

And if you want to find out how the TV programme making process works, how to shine on TV and how to catch the eye of a TV producer, come along to one of my free, online, lunchtime seminars. Click here for dates, details and to reserve your place.

TV Training for New TV Experts

I wrote a comment piece for Broadcast magazine recently regarding the importance of briefing experts before they're live on TV. It was in response to Broadcast's campaign to get more female experts on TV.

If you read the article - click here - you'll see that I made a committment to offer free, online How to Shine on TV seminars for new experts. And I've kept it.

So in addition to the already popular 'Could you be a TV Expert' seminars, I'm now presenting 'How to Shine on TV' seminars and 'Understanding the TV Programme Making Process' seminars.

I'll be doing one of each every month - and I've just confirmed the April dates.

For more information and to reserve your free place, click here.

More Female Experts on TV

Broadcast magazine is the TV industry's bible. It comes out every Thursday and everyone who's anyone in TV reads it. I've been trying to get into Broadcast ever since I set up findaTVexpert in 2008 because it provides such great exposure for the business - which benefits all the experts on it.

But as I'm not a TV production company or a channel, it's not easy. So I've had a couple of mentions, but nothing major. However, Broadcast launched a campaign to get more female experts on TV in February and I've been in touch with the deputy news editor ever since.

We finally met up last Friday and she asked me if I'd like to write a 500 word opinion piece for today's issue. I jumped at the opportunity and, as a result, I'm in today's print and online issue.

Click here to read the article.

Most articles can only be read if you're a subscriber but mine is 'free' and with any luck it will be read by thousands of key decision makers within the TV industry, which will put findaTVexpert even more firmly on the map.

So this is a great day for me (because I've been trying to get coverage in Broadcast for so long), for the business - and for you all the experts on findaTVexpert (male and female!)

TV Experts: the industry has to know you exist

If you want to be considered for TV & Media opportunities, TV & Radio producers, journalists and PRs have to know you exist. It's as simple as that. If they don't know you exist, you won't get a call. So the more ways they can read about you, hear you and find you, the better.

Being on findaTVexpert.com is one of the ways to promote your expertise to the media. (To find out what else you can be doing, read my 10 Steps To Becoming a TV Expert here. )

Below is a list of some of the experts who have been found on findaTVexpert in the past few months and been contacted by members of the media (TV, Radio, Press & PR) regarding different TV & Media opporutunities.

Kerry D, Consultant Forensic Psychologist
Sophia C, Urban Lawyer, English Barrister, UnderCover Mother
Domonique B, Successpert: Getting the most out of your Life
Louise T, Skin & Beauty Therapist
Roger S, Property: Residential and Commercial Expert
Jessica R, Power of the Mind & Transformational Coach
David M, Gadgets and Technology Expert and Writer
Dr. Ellie C, NHS GP, Health Writer & Broadcaster
Dr. Anuradha A, Practising GP and Medical Journalist
Cate M, Love Coach
Monah M, GP, Medical Journalist, Cosmetic Doctor
Martin C, Neuroscientist + Public Science Presenter
Shaun A, Author, Public Speaker, Ex-Convict
Roy B, Art & Architecture
Amana W, Emotional Makeover Coach
Rowan B, Hands on Property Developer and Property Finder
James L, Scientist: health, biology + natural history
Matt R, Marine Biologist
Danielle C, Face Yoga Expert & Natural Anti-ageing Guru
Rebecca S, Psychologist, Dating Coach, Sex Therapist
Abigael S, Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Stuart G, Mortgage Expert & Adviser
Dr. Victoria G, Dr. of Counselling Psychology & Coach
Mandy K, Psychologist: Abusive Relationships, Dating
Tracy K, Influential & Opinionated Property Finder & Expert
Laura H, International Early Childcare Expert
Joanne R, Food Addiction, Eating Disorders, Spirituality
Dianne B, Age Management Specialist and Late Career Coach
Cat Y, Social Media for Business, Politics & Pleasure
Zoe & Carey, Get out of your Rut Experts
Caroline G, Speech, Voice & Confidence Teacher
Deborah J, Historian: Toys & Women Inventors
Karen G, Natural Skincare & Fragrance Expert + Retailer

If you're an expert and you want to increase your chances of catching the eye of a TV producer, do what other experts have done and register on findaTVexpert.com.

Click here to join now.

Experts: The TV Industry's on the Hunt for them

I've been busy meeting, networking & brainstorming on behalf of the experts on findaTVexpert with Channel 4; Boomerang Productions; the deputy editor of BBC News; the Deputy Director of Content at STV; The Exec Producer of The Only Way is Essex; and a lot of influential people at the BBC in Manchester including the Head of CBBC Productions, the Series Producer for Blue Peter, the Head of Current Affairs and a producer on The One Show. And more & more members of the media (TV plus radio & press) are hearing about findaTVexpert and registering to search the site for talent. As a result, more & more experts are being found on findaTVexpert and contacted regarding different media opportunities. These are some of them:

1. Lady Lesley C, Aristocratic Tamer: Horses, Cattle & Kids
2. James L, Scientist: Health, Biology & Natural History
3. Jules H, Naturalist & Wildlife Conservationist
4. Dyfed P, Interior Architect
5. Tracy K, Influential & Opinionated Property Finder & Expert
6. Steve H, Dog Behaviour Expert + Dog Expert Witness
7. Mandy K, Psychologist: Abusive Relationships, Dating
8. Jheni O, Science Journalist: Natural World & Sports Science
9. Emma C, Chartered Mechanical Engineer + Science
10. David M, Gadgets and Technology Expert and Writer
11. Karen G, Natural Skincare & Fragrance Expert + Retailer
12. Jo H, TV Psychologist: Behaviour, Relationships, Celebs
13. Abigael S, Doctor of Clinical Psychology
14. Marverine C, Beer Evangelist, Journalist, TV Presenter
15. Joanna R, Food Addiction, Eating Disorders, Spirituality
16. Pippa S, Psychotherapist and Hypnotherapist
17. Cate M, Love Coach
18. Kerry D, Consultant Forensic Psychologist
19. George H, Finance, Management, Internal Audit, Risk Mgmt
20. Danielle H, TV Presenter, Hypnotherapist, Phobia Expert
21. Andy J, Dating & Sex Expert + Adventure Journalist

For your chance to be spotted by a member of the media and booked for a screentest, expert comment in the press, etc, do what these experts have done and register on findaTVexpert.com.

New Faces on TV: found on findaTVexpert

Mike E, Medical Historian, War Wounds & Trauma Surgeon: booked as an expert contributor for C4's 'Crusaders: Back from the Dead'. Sundays, 8pm.

Ben H, Award Winning TV Designer & Renovation Expert: signed up as a designer on Channel 4's new design series, 'The Renovation Game'.

Dr Anita S, GP w/specialist interest in Dermatology: signed up to be the 'Doctor Presenter' on Channel 4's 'The Joy of Teen Sex', which airs on the 27th of October.

Phill W, Hands on Restoration & Sustainable Building Expert: signed up as a judge on BBC3's new 'Young Carpenter of the Year' series. TX date tbc.

Giles M, Consumer Champion & Money Expert: booked as an expert contributor for a new BBC consumer affairs series.

For your chance to be spotted by a TV producer and booked for a series, do what these experts have done and register on findaTVexpert.com.