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.

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.