Testimonial: Freelance Journalist

I think findaTVexpert.com is a great resource for TV producers, radio producers and members of the media on the hunt for new talent or looking for people to comment on a subject or be part of a show. But then I would, wouldn't I? It's my business!

So don't take it from me. Take it from a journalist who uses the site:

"As a busy freelance journalist, I turn to findatvexpert.com regularly to find reliable and authoritative sources to give my copy extra impact. I've used a handful of experts now, all of which have provided timely and useable quotes specifically tailored to the target audience." Karen Hirst.

Start of Year Three in Business!

It was literally on a barge on the Canal du Midi in France in July 07 (having finished a contract to series produce Don't Get Done Get Dom for BBC1) that I had my Eureka Moment and thought of www.findatvexpert.com.

So when I got back from holiday I did some research. There wasn’t a similar service out there – I knew this from having worked in the industry for 15 years – and when I mentioned my idea to a few expert friends and TV colleagues everyone thought it was a winner.

This was a service the experts wanted and the industry needed. I’d never set up a business before but I believed in my idea so much that when I was offered another 10 months contract at Flame TV starting in September 07 (10 months of financial and job security!) I turned it down and decided to live off my limited savings and set up findatvexpert.com from my kitchen table (luckily that domain name was available – so many have already been taken.)

And nine months after I’d had the idea on the Canal du Midi, www.findaTVexpert.com went live.

I still remember the excitement I felt on Monday, 28th April 2008 when I sat at my desk at 8am and 'launched' findaTVexpert. And here I am at the start of year three. As excited now as I was then.

There have been challenges along the way, but I'm loving every minute of the journey.

Best of all, it's working: more and more members of the media are registering to search the site every week and experts are being found and booked for presenting roles, interviews, screentests and other media opportunities.

I don't really believe in horoscopes, but I happened to read one in YOU Magazine in September 07 when I started setting up findaTVexpert and it said (because I kept it as a reminder): 'You are entering an important new cycle in your life, a cycle which - if used properly - will bring lasting rewards in the future. It may be difficult - even painful - at times, but it will almost certainly be rewarding in the long run. No matter what you dreams may be, Saturn will create the conditions that make the realisation possible. From then on, it's up to you."

And it was spot on!

Here's to a successful Year Three and many more successful years ahead for the business - and for all the experts being found through it!

Countdown to Start of Year 3: After The Times ...The Daily Telegraph!

I was in New Zealand for Christmas (Dec 08) when I received an email from a journalist saying he'd read my press release about John Rennie, the personal finance & property expert who was spotted on findaTVexpert and signed up to co-present a new property series for BBC1, and was going to do a piece for the Telegraph. Needless to say, I was delighted. I emailed him all the information he needed and then we had a quick phone interview. Starting the year with small mention in the Telegraph would be good for business, I thought. Infact, it was FANTASTIC for business. Because I got a double page spread! Read it here.

Countdown to Year Three: findaTVexpert in The Times

The first thing I did when I set up findaTVexpert.com in April 2008 was tell as many people as I could about it, which included issuing a press release targetted at journalists who wrote about start up businesses. The Daily Express was the first national to pick up my story - see blog below. Then I was featured in the careers section of The Times, which was fantastic. Read 'My Big Idea' profile piece here. Good publicity - and getting noticed - is crucial in business, which is why I do as much as I can to get it: press releases, twitter, blogs, recommendations, etc. So if you're reading this, help me spread the word! Because word of mouth is fantastic PR too!

Loud & Proud: findaTVexpert heads towards start of third year in business

On Monday, the 28th of April 2008, findaTVexpert started doing what it set out to do: help bridge the gap between the professionals and the programme makers. Give experts who want to be considered for TV & Media opportunities the chance to promote themselves to the industry and give members of the media on the hunt for new talent and ideas (or up against tight deadlines!) a fast and easy way of finding experts to comment on a subject or be part of a show. If you want to get noticed as an expert, you have to be loud and proud. And the same applies to a business. If you want to get noticed, you have to make some noise. So in April 2008 I did a PR blitz and the Daily Express was the first to pick up on my story. Read it here.

New Experts & Last Night's Election Debate

I've just sent out my udpate to the TV industry with details of new experts - from BBQ Masters to Money Hunters (did you know that most people are entitled to a £2000, tax free bereavement payment from the state?) - and a topical TV Pt of View. This week it's Liam Hamilton, Director of Business Development at DCD Media, on last night's election debate. Let the experts inspire you and read what Liam has to say here.

Could you be a TV expert? Here's the first question you have to answer.

The TV industry is always on the hunt for talent, ideas and the next big thing. So could you be a TV expert? Well here's the first question you have to answer: what is going to make TV producers, broadcasters and (ultimately) viewers sit up and take notice of you? And if you want to know what else you should be thinking about if you're interested in promoting yourself to the TV industry, come along to my 'Could you be a TV expert?' seminar and find out! Details in post below.