TV Tip

The TV industry's always on the hunt for experts, ideas and inspiration.  Where you work could provide them with that. So think of what you have access to.

Media Training

Click on the video below for tips on how to come across well in your live TV interview, so that you get booked again ... and again ... and again!

 

For more free tips and seminars, go to www.beaTVexpert.com

TV Highlights

If you want to be a TV Expert, you have to know and understand what's happening in the market you're promoting yourself to - ie the TV industry.

Here are my highlights from this week's issue of Broadcast magazine:

1) BBC2 drama The Fall won the 9pm slot with 3.3million viewers.
2) BBC news chief vows to increase the number of female broadcasters.
3) Channel 4 has a new 6x60-minute series with Hollywood interior designer Martyn Lawrence called Hollywood M, which is designed to 'inject some US glamour into British Homes' and 'offer some much-needed La La Land sunshine.'
4) ITV has ordered a revival of 'Through the Keyhole' with Keith Lemon poking around celebrity homes.
5) Dr Christian Jessen is heading to Australia for 8x60 minutes of Embarrassing Bodies Down Under.

TV Tip: Preparing for a Live TV Interview

If you're booked for a live TV interview, you want to come across well so you get booked again. This video will give you a few tips.  For more TV Tips and insight, come along to one of findaTVexpert's free, online seminar. Click here for dates and details.

Testimonial: Be Pro-Active. It works!

I am a mathematician, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield.

You might think that mathematical breakthroughs don't hit the news very often, but earlier this year a new prime number was discovered, the biggest ever with around 13 million digits! This appeared on a few online news sites but I thought it deserved TV or radio coverage, with a mathematician talking about it, ie me. I asked Claire (TV producer and founder of www.findaTVexpert.com), and she said I should definitely BE PROACTIVE. She advised me to write to the Today programme, BBC news, Sky news, and Woman's Hour. She said to keep it short, say why I thought it would interest their audience, and include a link to my Find a TV Expert profile.

I sent these off at about 10pm on a Thursday evening. I got a call from Sky News at lunchtime the next day and half an hour later I was on my way to a live interview on the evening news! Fired up by how well this went, I did it again two weeks later when I heard an item on Today about under-achievement of British children at maths. I sent my email to the same four places, and Sky News responded again: this time within an hour, and I was booked for a live interview on the lunchtime news. My third attempt was when a report was published saying only 6% of UK maths professors are female. This time it was Woman's Hour who responded, and I was interviewed on the programme this week.

That makes a three out of three hit rate I've had by following Claire's advice to be proactive! And you don't have to be Einstein to work out that's 100%... The producers at Sky News and Woman's Hour have said how pleased they are that I contacted them, and that they're keen to have back. So I think the message is clear: be proactive - it works!

Female Builder & International Rugby Player found on findaTVexpert.com



Female Builder & International Rugby Player Philippa Tuttiett was found on findaTVexpert.com and signed up to present DIY Tips with Philippa for UKTV's online site. And she's now writing a book to accompany the series.

 

NOMINATE THE EXPERT WHO INSPIRES YOU FOR A YEAR'S FREE MEMBERSHIP ON FINDATVEXPERT.COM

Who inspired you the most this year or made a difference to your life: your university lecturer? Your personal trainer? Your business mentor? Your marine biologist friend who followed their dream and encouraged you to follow yours? That doctor/dentist/designer/chef/astrologer/explorer/vet/physicist who gave a talk at an event you attended recently? Your boss? A work colleague?

Could their knowledge, expertise and passion inspire other people? And do you think they’d be great on TV?

If your answer’s yes, www.findaTVexpert.com, the online database of experts for TV and the Media, is giving you the chance to nominate them for a year’s free membership (worth £175) on findaTVexpert.com.

Simply email the following to info@findatvexpert.com by 6.00pm on Monday, 31^st of December 2012*:

1. A couple of paragraphs explaining how the expert you’re nominating has inspired you or changed your life – and why you think they could inspire others and be great on TV.

2. A copy of your nominated expert’s CV.  Or a link to their professional online profile. (The expert you nominate must have the skills, qualifications, training and experience to prove they’re an expert in their field of business.)

3. Your contact number – and a contact number for the expert you’re nominating.

The nominations will be judged by Claire Richmond, TV producer and founder of findaTVexpert.com and the winner will be announced w/c Monday, 7^th of January 2013.

Terms and conditions:

1. The competition closes at 6.00pm on Monday, 31^st December. Nominations received after that time will not be considered. 
2. To be eligible, the expert you nominate must be an expert in their field of business with the skills, training and qualifications to prove it; over 18 and a UK resident. And they must not have any previous criminal convictions.
3. Proof of age and eligibility of the expert you nominate may be required.
4. All eligible nominations must be received via email and contain a couple of paragraphs explaining how the expert you’re nominating has inspired you or changed your life; why you think they could inspire others and be great on TV; your contact number; a contact number for the expert you’ve nominated and a copy of their CV which outlines their employment history and the training/qualifications that prove they’re an expert in their field of business (or a link to their professional online profile which has the same information)
5. One nominated expert will be chosen as the winner by findaTVexpert.com founder Claire Richmond and contacted w/c 7 January 2013.
6. If the nominated expert accepts the prize, his or her details will be announced w/c 7 January 2013 on the findaTVexpert twitter page (http://twitter.com/findatvexpert); the findaTVexpert blog (http://findatvexpert.blogspot.com); the findaTVexpert facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/findaTVexpert/169485362343?ref=hl) and other online media.
7. findaTVexpert bears no responsibility for entries which don’t make it into the competition because they’ve been blocked or identified as junk email, spam, etc.
8. findaTVexpert will not acknowledge receipt of any nomination that is sent in and will only contact the winning expert.
9. Nominations that fail to meet the eligibility criteria or otherwise fail to meet these terms and conditions will not be entered into the competition.
10. The prize is a year’s free membership on findaTVexpert.com, which gives the nominated expert the chance to create a searchable Profile & CV and be promoted to the TV industry.
11. The winner will have until the 31^st of January to register their details on www.findaTVexpert.com. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize and findaTVexpert reserves the right to award the prize to the runner up.
12. There is no alternative prize or cash equivalent and the prize is non-changeable and non-transferable.  
13. By entering this competition you agree to comply with these terms and conditions.

TV Tip: The Make or Break Phone Call

When production companies are on the hunt for experts - for last minute studio interviews or ongoing development projects - they'll put together a list of potential experts and start making calls. How you come across in that phone call will determine whether or not you go through to the next 'phase'.

Think of it as your first interview.  It's as simple as that. They've clearly read your details somewhere (on findaTVexpert, on your website, on google, etc) and it's now down to your personality.

So as soon as you know that it's a TV production company on the end of the line, lose your formal, 'telephone' voice. Put a smile in your voice and answer the questions as succinctly, passionately and enthusiastically as you can.

And if they've caught you at a really bad time, let them know in the nicest way possible. Then take a phone number and agree when to call them back.  That phone call could get you on TV. So make it work for you.

Expert Testimonial: Kate Faulkner

"Thanks for getting me to where I am. Genuinely wouldn’t have had the confidence or ‘stickability’ to do this without you!"

Kate Faulkner

Managing Director
www.designsonproperty.co.uk
www.katefaulkner.co.uk

Who's Britain's favourite TV Expert (current or of all times)?

Experts/Expert Presenters are in high demand because they bring passion, authority and credibility to a show. They make programmes come alive.  So my question is this: who is Britain's favourite TV expert?  Here are some names to get the ball rolling: David Attenborough, Maggie Aderin Pocock, Brian Cox, Monty Halls, Mary Beard, Gordon Ramsay, Mary Berry, Jamie Oliver, Gareth Malone, Nigella Lawson, Kevin McCloud, Lorraine Pascale, Gok Wan, Jo Frost,  Kirsty Allsop, Phil Spencer, Alan Titchmarsh, Charlie Dimmock ...?  The list goes on and on.  Add your names in the comment box below. And if there enough names, I'll issue a press release!

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!" 

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.

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.

Could you be a TV Expert? Find out from the comfort of your home or office.

If you know me, you'll know that I'm a people person. I like meeting, seeing and talking to people face-to-face. So when someone suggested I host my 'Could you be a TV Expert?' seminars online - as opposed to in a meeting room - I had my doubts. But having done a few now, I think they're the way forward. And here's why:

- it's easy for the experts! They can attend a seminar from the comfort of their office or home.

- experts who wouldn't normally be able to attend one of my seminars (because the locations/venues weren't convenient) now can.

- I keep the groups small (7 max) and the format's exactly the same: experts hear my voice and see the presentation on their computers. And it's just as interactive as the 'real' thing. Experts ask me questions - and answer mine.

The only difference is that we can't have a networking drink at the end. But anyone who wants to meet me in person can always stop by my TVGreenRoom at a later date.

So if you want to find out how the TV industry works, why experts are crucial to the success of TV programmes, what kind of experts the programme makers are looking for, how they find them and whether YOU could be a TV expert, 'come along' to one of my online seminars.

Tuesday, 4 October
Thursday, 6 October
Tuesday, 11 October
Thursday, 13 October

The seminars run from 6-7.30pm and I'll be presenting them. I'm the founder of findaTVexpert.com, a Talent Hunter and Producer of some of TV’s most popular shows including BBC’s Changing Rooms, Ready Steady Cook & Don’t Get Done Get Dom. (See my CV here).

The seminars are free but you must book your place in advance as numbers are limited.

To do so, click here to save your place. We will then send you the login details.

Testimonial: Andy Jones, Dating Expert & Broadcaster

"findaTVexpert has helped me take my existing skills to the wider market of broadcast. Having already made a slight dent on the world of TV, findaTVexpert has helped me turn that into a lasting imprint. Television seems like such a large and impenetrable beast, but having my name and profile on such a widely read database helps me keep fresh in the minds of those making the decisions that matter." Andy Jones, dating expert and broadcaster.

Could you be a TV Expert? Find out in London on Sept 8

findaTVexpert's popular Could you be a TV Expert? seminar is heading to The Soho Theatre in London on Thursday, 8th of September.

It will be presented by findaTVexpert ’s Claire Richmond (TV Talent Hunter & Producer of some of TV’s most popular shows including BBC’s Changing Rooms, Ready Steady Cook & Don’t Get Done Get Dom) and give experts the chance to find out how the TV industry works, why experts are crucial to the success of TV programmes, what kind of experts the programme makers are looking for, how they find them, and what experts need to be doing to make the industry sit up and take notice of them.

Seminar booking info: Entrance to the seminar is free but tickets must be booked in advance as spaces are limited. For more information and/or to book your place use this link.

Feedback from attendees of Could you be a TV Expert? seminars:

"Great style. Claire really knows her stuff. She's an expert!"
"Friendly, warm & accessible. I feel inspired!"
"Thought provoking."
"Loved the session. Really engaging & helpful."

Need an expert? Find one on findaTVexpert.

People often ask me what the industry's on the hunt for. As you can see from the experts who have been found on findaTVexpert recently - and contacted by TV, Radio, Press & PR companies to comment on a subject or be screentested for a new series - the areas of expertise are incredibly varied.

Experts contacted by TV companies recently:
Stephanie M, Nutritionist + Food Therapist
Sian A, Lady Builder, Interior Designer, Landlord, Stepmum
Sarah M, Molecular Scientist: the human body
George J, Antiques Expert, Presenter, Writer, Consultant
Rob R, Cotswold Chef & Food Campaigner
Antonia PT, Haute Couture Designer
Maya P, Marine Biologist and Educator
Becky S, Psychologist, Dating Coach, Sex Therapist
Wendy S, Business Psychologist
Keren S, Relationship Expert, Mid Life Guru, Agony Aunt
Mike E, Medical Historian, War Wounds & Trauma Surgeon
Andrew W, Fatherhood and Modern Parenting

Experts Contacted by Radio, Press & PR Companies recently:
Abigael S, Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Sue A, Parenting Expert and Author
Jules S, The Colour Counsellor - How NOT to Wear Black!
Craig H, Classical Historian
Vena R, Kama Sutra, Tantric Sex and Romance Expert

To increase your chances of being contacted by TV production companies - and other media - do what these experts have done and join the team of experts on findaTVexpert.com.

Register now and get on the site, in my newsletter to the industry (mainly TV but also radio, press & PR - see copies here) and in my little black book which I take to all my one-to-one meetings with TV development producers, creative directors, commissioners and more.

If you want a TV company to call you, they have to know where to find you!

When a TV production company is looking for experts to comment on a subject or be part of a show they're developing, they find them in lots of different ways: personal recommendations, google searches, newspaper & magazine articles, Associations, Universities ... and on findaTVexpert, of course. Here are some of the latest experts who were found on findaTVexpert and contacted to discuss different media opportunities.

1. Roger S, Homeowner Rights, Consumer and Property Expert: recently interviewed for BBC1's Don't Get Done Get Dom (TX 11 May).

2. Laura M, has been contacted by a TV Production Company.

3. Jason M, Entrepreneur: Waste Management & Recyling: has been contacted by a TV Production Company.

4. Sian A, Lady Builder, Interior Designer, Landlord, Stepmum: has been contacted by 2 TV Production Companies.

5. Stuart F, Radio 1 Doctor Practising NHS Doctor & Media Medic: recently interiewed for The Independent newspaper, Closer Magazine and a martial arts magazine. Is also in discussions with a TV production company re a new series.

6. Victoria G, Doctor of Counselling Psychology & Life-Coach: was recently a contributor on Sky Living's House Of Grazia.

7.Lady Lesley C, Aristocratic Tamer: Horses, Cattle & Kids: can currently be seen on Channel 4's Superscrimpers: Waste not Want Not (Wednesdays, 8:30pm)

8. Jheni O, Science Journalist: Natural World & Sports Science: has recently been screentested for a new Channel 4 programme.

9. Abigael S, Doctor of Clinical Psychology: interviewed for the March issue of More! magazine re spring-cleaning relationships.

10. Nadine H, Jugglista, Life-Work Balance: interviewed for VIVA magazine (a Dubai expat mag) re time management tips and strategies.

Do you want to get on the TV industry's radar? If the answer's yes, then do what these experts have done and register on findaTVexpert.com.