How to Know You’re Ready for TV Exposure (and What to Do Before Pitching a Producer)
As an Emmy-nominated television producer, I’ve reviewed hundreds—maybe even thousands—of pitches and interviewed as many experts. Most were brilliant on air. Only a handful could have done better.
If you’re a business owner, thought leader, or expert looking to land your first interview, press feature, or TV appearance, pause for a moment. Let’s make sure you’re truly media-ready before you hit “send” on that pitch to get on-air.
Media exposure is powerful—but only when it’s strategic. And timing is everything.
5 Signs You’re Ready for TV Exposure
- You Have a Clear Brand Message – Before a producer says yes, they need to know why you matter to their audience. If you can’t summarize your brand or message in 1–2 sentences, it’s time to do some fine-tuning. Your story should be simple, impactful, and tied to a larger conversation.
- You Have Video Content That Shows You in Action –
Producers want to see you. A strong media reel, live-stream clip, or branded video can help them visualize how you’ll perform on screen. It also builds trust and positions you as someone who understands how to engage an audience.
- Your Online Presence Matches Your Pitch – Your website and social media profiles should reflect the same messaging in your pitch. If you say you’re a wellness expert, but your last five posts are about cats and coffee? That’s a disconnect. Consistency builds credibility.
- You Can Articulate Your Point of View – Media appearances are not ads. They’re opportunities to share ideas, spark conversations, and offer insights. If you know what you believe, what you stand for, and how you can serve an audience—you’re in a strong position. Recording and posting consistent video content is a great way to practice your on-air presence.
- You Have Something Timely to Say – Is your story connected to a seasonal trend, a national news topic, or a social conversation? Producers are always looking for fresh angles that feel relevant right now. If you are an expert on a news worthy topic, record a quick editorial, comment on the topic and use the right hashtags. A producer may find your video, like what you have to say, and book you.
Things to Look Out For Before You Pitch
- No Video Experience – If you’ve never been on camera—even in a live stream—it’s worth doing a few practice runs first. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. Start by showing up consistently on video so you’re comfortable when the spotlight turns on.
- A Generic “I’d Love to Be Featured” Pitch – Producers receive tons of vague requests. If your pitch doesn’t include a specific topic or takeaway you can offer their audience, it’s going to be skipped. You must lead with value—not just visibility.
- Scattered Online Identity – If your LinkedIn bio says one thing, your Instagram another, and your website hasn’t been updated since 2019… pause. Clean up your digital footprint. Producers do research.
Your Media-Readiness Checklist
Want to impress a producer? Make sure you have the following…
- A clear brand message
- A 60-second intro video or recent clip
- A polished online presence (especially LinkedIn and website)
- A brief speaker bio and updated headshot
- 2–3 compelling topic ideas tied to your expertise
Need Help Getting Media-Ready?
That’s where I come in.
At Deborah Mitchell Media & Associates, we help entrepreneurs and thought leaders craft their video presence and polish their brand messaging before they pitch producers. With the right prep, you won’t just get media opportunities—you’ll shine in them.
Start with a media training session or schedule a 1:1 video strategy call today:
-Media Training & Thought Leadership
-Video Production Services
Final Thoughts
The media is always looking for fresh faces and strong voices. But preparation makes all the difference. Don’t pitch just because you want exposure, pitch because you’re ready to make an impact.
Need help showing up on video with confidence and clarity?
At Deborah Mitchell Media & Associates, we help thought leaders and entrepreneurs turn their message into magnetic, media-ready content. Whether you’re starting from scratch or ready to level up your brand, we’re here to help you create video that works—and connects.
Ready to get started? Contact us for a 30 minute consultation where we help you see the big picture and prepare your message.
You can also check out our YouTube channel for more video marketing topics.
