Get an action plan to get started as a TV Presenter

March 18, 2021

Becoming a TV Presenter is like starting a new business and needs a business plan if you are to be successful. As part of our presenter training we talked our clients through a step by step strategy and career plan.

So here are 10 top tips to help you.

1. Write down your goals

Studies show that those who write down their goals have an 80% higher success rate of achieving them. If you don’t have goals or a target it’s incredibly hard to hit it. Use the ‘SMART’ tool – specific, measurable, achievable, results-oriented and time-limited. Create a vision board and make sure you can see it often, our very own Gemma has a vision board in our office and it always amazes us how many things happen.

2. Are you prepared?

What do you need? Make sure that you can do the job. Do you have any doubt about using any of the tools of the trade such as Talk-Back, Autocue, Working To Time and Interviewing? Make sure you get professional presenter training and relevant experience to do the job. I’m a great believer that when the opportunity comes along you are ready and prepared to take advantage. The best way to get ready is to be ready!

3. Make sure you have your social media’s are all up to date

Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn. Producers and Casting directors will check this. Make sure they all reflect your brand and you are posting regularly.

4. Casting profiles and website

Make sure your casting profile and website are all up to date and reflects who you are and have a headshot photo that looks like you. I’ve seen presenters at castings who come in and look nothing like their profile picture, or it was taken 20 years ago or it’s a selfie or holiday picture. Your showreel should be up to date.

5. Give yourself deadlines

Once you have committed to do something and have a date you are far more likely to it rather than having an idea in your head.

6. Direct contact with Producers

Write to them, no reply doesn’t mean ‘No’! Keep updating them with what you have been doing. If you get a ‘No’ if often can mean ‘not just now’. Keep your emails brief ideally one paragraph with a link to your showreel. Producers are busy people and don’t have time to read a long-winded email with lots of information. Always use their name, it still surprises me how many Dear Sir/Madam emails get sent.

7. Get out there and Network!

Attend media networking events and regularly not just the once. You’re unlikely to get a job from just going to one, you need to build relationships. Find out where producers and directors are hanging out and what events they are going to.

8. Turn rejection around

If you don’t get the job at a casting, come away having learned from the experience that way you will always be the winner.

9. Do something every day towards your TV Presenting career

It can be overwhelming and if you are still in a full-time job finding the time can sometimes be difficult but doing something every day in small bit sized tasks can help.

10. Research the TV shows you want to work for

Research and watch the shows you want to work for. Who are the presenters?  What does that show look for in their presenters? Find out the format. It always amazes me when I ask presenters what shows they want to present and in fact sometimes they have never watched them. Look into the TV Presenters you love or the presenters that are already working in the shows you want to do. How did they get into the industry?

​There is one person that can make your dreams come true and that is YOU!

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