Expert Media Training Tips for Connecting Via Video

The Face-To-
Face PitchW I T H
PAULA RIZZO
Copyright © 2019 Paula Rizzo - All rights reserved.

The power of the pitch
Common pitch problems
Connecting via video
What We’ll Cover

Media consultant, TV & video producer
& best-selling author

M E D I A S T R AT E G Y
On-Camera Media Training
Media Pitch & Story Development
Video Production Consulting
Workshops

Companies
I’ve worked with…

Some of the
personalities I’ve
worked with…
JJ Virgin
Todd Richards
Ramit Sethi
Mo
Gawdat
Melissa
Coleman
Deepak Chopra
Chef Todd Richards=Copyright © 2019 Paula Rizzo - All rights reserved.

“I worked with Paula and somehow
she's made a 180° change out of
me! After a recent segment, someone
said, "You're a natural up there."
Little did they know, that it was the
result of a lot work with Paula.
It's impossible not to improve
under her care.”
Melissa Coleman - The Minimalist Kitchen (Time Inc)

Hundreds of pitches a day
Tight deadlines, fast turnaround
Don’t need you until we need you (now!)
Pitches become “noise” and we can’t hear you
S T E P I N T O T H E N E W S R O O M

Blogs
YouTube
Social Media
Other media
Their contacts
W H E R E T H E M E D I A I S L O O K I N G F O R YO U

W H O A R E YO U ( A N D W H Y D O I C A R E ? )
Lead with one thing
What do other people see?
Why are you the one to call?

T H I N K B E YO N D P R O M O T I O N
Think bigger
What are you trying to change or
improve?
What mission are you on?
How is this helpful to others?

The power of the pitch
01

K N OW T H E G O L D E N R U L E S
Put yourself in the media’s shoes
Who is their audience?
Get to know the show/anchor

WORDS
Wise
“Be Open to Collaboration"

J J Virgin - Author & Nutritionist

J J Virgin - Author & Nutritionist
“Paula Rizzo knows how to make a
segment sing. She creates
compelling new ways to tell stories
and change how people think.
If you want someone who can
craft the perfect segment idea
and get your message across, she’s
your match.”

WORDS
Wise
“Be of Service!”

Mo Gawdat - Author, Solve For Happy
“Within just 20 minutes Paula’s
media training, she opened my eyes
to ways I could be even more effective
in spreading my message.
She helped me undo years of
previous media training that wasn’t
working. I’ve been much more
comfortable and polished on air thanks
to Paula’s guidance.”

T H E E L E M E N T S O F A P I T C H
The hook
The twist
The takeaway

P I T C H L I K E A P R O D U C E R
Why do I care?
Why does my audience care
Why now?
Why you?
How is this diﬀerent?

T Y P E S O F P I T C H E S F O R T V / V I D E O
In studio interview (2-8 minutes)
Package (2 -3 minutes)
Do it yourself soundbite

T I P S F O R P I T C H I N G V I D E O
Think visually!
Think fast
Think table tops & demos
Think experiences/transformations
(before and after)

P I T C H E L E M E N T S F O R A PAC K A G E
Interview with expert(s)
Interview with clients
Compelling broll
Animations

P I T C H E S F O R L O C A L
News of the day rules
Be relevant to their area
Would this make a good tease?

P I T C H F O R N AT I O N A L
Must appeal to a wider audience
Multiple locations
Pitch news of the day and evergreen

Pitch Checklist
Double check the name / outlet
Clear, specific subject heading
30 seconds to “skim and get”
Short, concise, clear
Bio, website
Video clip links (!!)

Common Pitch Problems
02

Pitch problem
The non-pitch pitch

“Hey I’m doing a thing.
Want to feature it?”

A non-pitch pitch doesn’t give
the media an idea for a story; it
just provides an introduction.

BIG CLAIMS, NO SPECIFICS
For Instance

Subj line: Hi Paula
Hi Paula, our product is going to change the way
people travel and experience the gym and their
activities.
We’re thrilled to be preparing our ﬁrst fundraising
campaign and are reaching out to journalists who have
a background in health, ﬁtness & travel.
Would a product like this be something you would be
interested in reporting on? If so, who is the right
person to contact?

You have a very short window
to catch a journalist’s attention
and make your pitch clear.
Remember

How does your pitch stand up?
Why does the audience care?
Why now?
Why you?

How To Connect With Media
LinkedIn
Twitter
By lines / bios
Your contacts

You may not land it right out of the gate
Follow up
Start a conversation
Make a connection
Be a resource
A Response
T H E G OA L I S

Pitch like a pro
Do This
Instead!
Be clear, concise, compelling
Speak in normal, accessible language
Make it easy on the eyes

Pitch problem
Bad Subject Lines

Subject: Can I pitch you?
>>Don’t Ask A Journalist A Question
When The Answer Could Be No
LINES
Deadly Subject

Subject: Are you interested in this?
>>Give Us A Reason To Be!
LINES
Deadly Subject

Subject: Expert available
>>Yes We Know. Tell Us More!
LINES
Deadly Subject

Subject: What are you working on?
>>Don’t Give Us More Work!
LINES
Deadly Subject

Pitch problem
No Video Clips

Other Reasons You Didn’t Hear Back?
They’re overwhelmed
It wasn’t a ﬁt
They didn’t understand your pitch
Other things you’ll never know

Connecting via Video
03

Treat the camera like a person
Concentrate on connection
Be of service!
Your Mindset

Where Do I Look?
Don’t look at yourself!
Skype/Zoom/Blue Jeans/
Laptop Videos
Smartphones

How Do I Sit?
Edge of your seat
Don’t be too casual
Put hands in your lap
Be mindful of gestures

How To Keep Energy Up?
Project your voice
Smile with your eyes
Breathe
Pretend you’re an actor

Practice Your Listening Face

S H O O T I N G D O ’ S A N D D O N ’ T S
Do use natural light
Do use a tripod
Do shoot eye level
Do look right in the
camera
Don’t shoot with a
window at your back
Don’t move the
camera around
Don’t shoot up on
yourself
D O D O N ’ T

E Q U I P M E N T
Camera
Lighting
Tripod
Computer stand
Headphones
Microphone

Soundbite:
A portion of an interview that
is particularly powerful and
catchy

Speak In Soundbites
Know your talking points
Have the end in mind
Always give value but be brief
Practice!

Download & use Marco Polo
Make a list of questions you’re always answering
Record yourself answering those questions
Watch back your videos
How To Practice

M E D I A S T R AT E G Y
On-Camera Media Training
Media Pitch & Story Development
Video Series Development Consulting
Speaking & Workshops

OFFER
BONUS
1:1 Free Media
Strategy Session
Limited
Spots!
SpeakWithPaula.com

Expert Media Training Tips for Connecting Via Video

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to Expert Media Training Tips for Connecting Via Video

Similar to Expert Media Training Tips for Connecting Via Video (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Expert Media Training Tips for Connecting Via Video