1. Details, details, and more details.

The more you know before television program taping, easier it will be to prepare for experience. First, you need to know who will be hosting show. Research host by looking up their name on internet or searching newspaper archives for more information. The station or studio probably maintains their own website with biographies of its key employees as well. Make sure you have host’s complete contact information and that of their assistant in case something comes up. Second, you need to know what topic will be discussed. Does host want you to talk about a topic they intend to choose? Do they want you to respond to a current event, trend or idea that applies to your area of expertise? Or, do they want you to provide a list of potential topics from which they can select one that would be of interest to their audience? Once you know this information, it will be easier for you to orient your responses to meet expectations. Third, you need to gain some familiarity with program and its format. Watch a couple of shows if you can or borrow a tape of a prior show to see how guest are greeted and interviewed. Try to imagine yourself in same circumstances. Notice how everyone is seated, how greetings are exchanged, how long show is between commercial breaks, and what people are wearing.

2. Familiarity breeds comfort.

Provide host with your press or marketing kit once you are invited to be on show. The host or producer wants to get to know you just as much as you want to get to know them. Provide a one page professional overview which describes your business, your background and experience, professional awards, certifications and designations, any titles of publications, as well as complete contact information.

3. Fieldtrips are fun.

Visit studio where program taping will take place a week or so before your scheduled appearance. Make sure that you have clear driving directions, including contact names, telephone numbers, and fax numbers. This field trip will serve to reduce any nervousness or anxiety about taping. If you have permission, walk around studio to familiarize yourself with location, employees, and types of equipment that will be around you as show is taped (cameras, lights, etc.). Better yet, attend a live taping if you can and watch what goes on. You’ll find out that it’s not as big a deal as you originally thought.

4. Meet host.

Meet individual or individuals who will be hosting show. While in person is best, if you can’t manage that, have a telephone conversation so that you hear their voice and gain some experience with their speaking and communication style. This interaction will help increase your comfort level before actual taping takes place.

5. I’ve got a question.

An email signature should be considered as a part of your branding initiative. Each component part, from your name to your address, from your website to color and type of font you use, should be thought about and arranged appropriately to communicate who you are to world. Everything should have a consistent look and feel. And, most importantly, it should contain a variety of ways to contact you. Make it easy on your email recipients. People are busy; when they need or want to contact you, make sure they can find information quickly and effortlessly. Otherwise, you risk possibility that they will close out your email thinking they will get back to it at a future time which ends up never materializing. Or even worse, they will contact someone else who has provided their information in a more useful presentation. Consider some of these features which make for an effective email signature and make sure yours passes test.

1. What’s your name?

Put your name first. Use your first and last name as people usually address you, using any nickname between two, if appropriate. For example, one might write, Nicholas “Nick” Parker. Include any titles that you might use either before or after your name. You might want to include initials of any professional designations that you have like CPA or CTM, which stand for Certified Public Accountant and Competent Toastmaster. Avoid putting initials that represent your masters or bachelor’s degrees as these are names of degrees not professional designations and it makes you appear unprofessional. The only exception to this is if you have a PhD. Even with that designation, you can precede your name with Dr. and eliminate PhD after your name. If you have a number of professional designations, only include most relevant ones. Too many initials can detract from your name and make presentation appear tacky. You might also want to include your email address directly below your name. While most people will merely respond to your email by hitting reply, others will want to click on an email link. And, sometimes, your email might be sent out under another name (alias), but any replies should be made specifically to you. In that case, it’s important to make sure that recipients can contact you easily and directly.

2. Who do you work for?

Make sure you include your company name. It’s amazing how many emails I receive that have a name and contact information, but they fail to list their company name. While I could search around for company’s name or figure it out from email address, its not always that straight forward or obvious. Don’t make readers guess at who you represent or work for. People are busy and they can easily receive hundreds of emails per day. If you want them to know you, then make it easy by providing information in your email signature.

3. Where are you from?