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How Chefs and Cookbook Authors can do a Great Cooking Segment on TV
| Guest post by: Scott Lorenz |
Article Overview: One of the best ways for chefs and cookbook authors to get extra exposure is to demonstrate their capabilities by showcasing recipes and talent on an in-studio cooking segment on television. A lot of things can go wrong on live TV especially if the demo is not well planned out. Here are some tips to insure that your cooking segment is great.
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Free Download - Book Marketing Strategy of the Future By Scott Lorenz |
How Chefs and Cookbook Authors can do a Great Cooking Segment on TV
Authors of cook books have an advantage over traditional
authors because they can employ a TV appearance to increase book sales. One of
the best ways for cookbook authors to get this extra exposure is to demonstrate
their capabilities by showcasing recipes and talent on an in-studio cooking
segment on television.
A lot of things can go wrong on a live in-studio cooking demo.
Here are some tips to insure that your cooking segment is great.
Most importantly find out how much time you
have to work with. There’s a big difference between a 2 ½ minute segment and 3
½ minutes. My advice is to plan on a 2 ½ minute segment. Ask yourself what can
you do in that time period and plan accordingly. Anticipate and have strategies
to deal with interruptions. Practice by setting up a camera in your kitchen so
you can film and time your process.
Don’t do a lot of talking during the
segment. You are there to demonstrate how to prepare a certain dish and that’s
what your audience and host expects of you. So keep the words down.
Remember that there are three groups that
you need to satisfy – the producer, the audience, and yourself. The producers
are looking for interesting/compelling television; your job is to make them
look great. The audience wants to learn something. What’s their takeaway? What
will you do to make their lives better? Among your goals is to point people to
your website. A great way is to offer a free item like a recipe or appetizer in
your restaurant. Once they sign up for the free item, use their email address
for future marketing.
It’s very important to find out in advance
about the capabilities of the studio kitchen. Some studio kitchens look good on
TV but the stove may not even be hooked up! Come with a prepared cooked version
of your dish that can be displayed ahead of time and have another ready for the
demonstration.
It’s always a good idea to bring some extra samples for the
crew. I’ve never see them turn down food! Outdoor segments, such as barbequing, really
go well in the summer because that’s what audience members do in the summer.
For the fall, a Tailgate segment is great.
Here are some practical tips for that great cooking
segment:
·
The camera loves food that
sizzles, bubbles, and flames. Keep that in mind when selecting the dish you
will prepare. Can your dish be prepared and plated in the allotted time?
Pre-cook the dish halfway if necessary to meet the time limit.
·
If there are promotional screen
graphics provide the producer with the information several days before the shoot.
·
Make a packing list of all the
gear you need to cook off premise. Double-check your list and pack efficiently.
Arrive at the studio 45 minutes before air time. Bring a cart to transport your
gear and ingredients from the car to the studio quickly and efficiently.
·
Digital TV cameras can be
unforgiving so bring some make-up to apply in the studio.
·
The camera loves color so bring
some colorful ingredients as well as a seasonal table decoration.
·
Upon first arriving at the
cooking set, check all burners to make sure they work.
·
Be set up 15 minutes before air
time. Walk in front of the cooking table and scan what the camera will record.
Is the tablecloth on straight? Are all ingredient labels faced outward? Are the
ingredients balanced in uniform fashion?
·
Provide the host with a list of
suggested questions. This will help the host stay focused and on track and will
help prevent any ringers from being thrown your way.
·
Always refer to the host by
name. Make direct eye contact and smile.
·
Go with the flow. Some hosts
will ask distracting, non-relevant questions so have a plan to deal with that
possibility.
For many of my clients, I suggest they use a professional
media trainer to better prepare them for the television or radio appearance.
One trainer I frequently recommend is Jess Todtfeld, former FOX News producer and President of Success in Media Among the suggestions
Todtfeld gives to help deliver a great cooking segment are:
·
Don’t expect the studio to have
a stylist for you. You must take the necessary steps beforehand so you look as
beautiful as you are and so your segment is great from beginning to end.
·
Bring all the ingredients,
tools for preparing, and a finished version of your dish. Don’t expect to
really cook it during the segment.
·
Bring extra finished food for
the crew. The quickest way to their hearts is through their stomachs. It will
be worth every penny in materials when they decide to book you again.
·
Have your entire segment
planned out from A to Z to make the producer’s life easy. That, in turn, will
make him love you and book you again.
·
It’s not all about the food. Be
fun. Show your personality.
·
Give a copy of the recipe and
let them know they can place it on the station’s website.
·
Days before the segment ask if
they can prepare a “for more information” graphic for the lower third of the
screen that will display your website address so people can find you after the
show. It’s a pretty standard practice but if you don’t ask they might forget.
·
Have something free on your
website to plug, such as five of your most requested low-cal recipes or a
chapter of your book. Be able to monetize the value of your free gift.
Make sure all the vegetables and cuts of meat are fresh and
will appear appetizing. Place them in clear glass dishes along with pre-measured
spices. There’s only so much you can prep ahead of time; some things need to be
done in the studio.
With HD cameras viewers can see everything from water spots
on your glass ware to fingernails in need of a manicure and a five o’clock
shadow. What may be acceptable in your kitchen may not play well on TV so be
keenly aware of your appearance.
A great cooking segment will produce
hundreds if not thousands of new diners, book sales and recipe downloads. It’s
all possible with planning, preparation and effort. Your success will be
assured if you engage the services of a professional media trainer and
marketing professional and practice your demo again and again.
The
bottom line: Great food and a great cooking segment
on TV is no accident; it’s all in the preparation. Good luck!
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About the Author: Scott Lorenz RSS for Scott's articles - Visit Scott's website Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm which specializes in marketing authors, doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC Nightly News, ESPN, The New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, NPR, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Family Circle, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it's their first book or their 15th book. He's handled publicity for books by CEOs, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. He's generated media coverage for numerous genres including, fiction, health, romance and business. To discuss how Westwind Communications helps its clients get all the publicity they deserve and more visit http://www.westwindcos.com or call 734-667-2090. For information about the National Publicity Summit visit: http://www.nationalpublicitysummit.com/?10373 Click here to visit Scott's website   Monthly Retainers VS Pay For Placement for Public Relations Services How Amanda Hocking REALLY Did It An Inspiration for All Authors Trade Show Tips to Promote Your Business YouTube A Powerful Arrow in an Authors Book Marketing Quiver Ten Things Doctors Can Do To Get Speaking Engagements |
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