Shirlee interviews Simon Ostler, former executive producer and managing editor at Canadian TV network Global News about what it REALLY takes to land an appearance on a TV show.

In part 1 of this extensive interview, Simon shares insights on how businesses can pitch to the media and gain exposure and how to build relationships and trust with the media gatekeepers. Shirlee and Simon highlight the importance of positioning yourself as an expert and problem solver for the media, rather than solely promoting your business.

Learn tips on finding the right media outlets to pitch to, building relationships with journalists, and using social media effectively. He cautions against pitching on topics that one is not truly knowledgeable about and emphasizes the need for trust and authenticity in media pitches so you can secure media coverage and unlock new audiences.

Keywords: media pitching, news outlets, audience engagement, local media, expert voice, storytelling, character-driven stories, social media presence, media relationships, hooks for media pitches, following up on pitches, media coverage, newsrooms, communication, phone calls, social media, visuals, video content, preparation, promotion, earned media, storytelling

Takeaways

• Pitching to the media can help businesses reach a large and engaged audience and build trust within the community.
• Targeting local media outlets allows businesses to focus on specific communities and generate more traction.
• Positioning oneself as an expert and problem solver for the media increases the chances of getting media coverage.
• Building relationships with journalists and being authentic in pitches is crucial for success.
• Social media presence and content can serve as a video resume and help businesses get discovered by the media.
• Finding hooks and timely angles for media pitches increases the chances of getting media coverage.
• Following up on pitches can be done by offering exclusivity to one outlet at a time and being patient in the process. Be genuine in your approach when communicating with newsrooms
• Phone calls can be an effective way to get a response, but social media communication can also work

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