3 Key Ways to Promote Your TV Newscast

3 Key Ways to Promote Your TV Newscast3 Key Ways to Promote Your TV NewscastTV journalists work around the clock to craft a perfect nachrichtensendungcast. The berichterstattung anchors, news reporters, and news producers all have familiar roles in getting the product put together. Without effective promotion, even the best TV newscast doesnt fully reach its potential news audience, which today can get news and information in countless ways.Topical promotion is one common way TV stations try to build their audience. However, simply telling viewers about what types of stories theyll see on an upcoming broadcast isnt the only way a station should promote its news programming. How to Back-Tease Your Coverage Topical promotion tells people what theyll see in the future. Back-teasing reminds viewers of what youve already shown them. You may wonder why this is important, especially since people cant go back in time to watch a story thats already aired. This remains an important way to help build your media brand. If a news anchor says, Heres an update to the Exclusive story we were the first to tell you about last night..., she is telling you three key elements her station had an Exclusive story, it aired last night, and (possibly) you missed getting to see it. The katechese is that you should have been watching because youd have been the first to know. This type of writing is usually delivered casually, but that doesnt mean it isnt critically important. Because many viewers believe all TV newscasts are the same, except for the people delivering them, this is a way to differentiate your coverage versus your competition. It also says youre following up on a story with new information. Cross-Promotion Across Your Programs and Platforms Cross-promotion is another key component. Years ago, that meant telling people when they could see your stations next newscast. Ideally, there would be a topical element included, such as, Our next newscast is tonight at 11 when youll see why a local high school cheerleading squad needs your help in hopes of winning a state title. That remains important. You are telling people who are already watching your news why they should keep watching when your next broadcast airs. This only takes into account your television audience. Today, you need to promote across your web and social media platforms. Youre likely already using Facebook to build your media brand. Same with Twitter. You must consistently use those tools to drive people to your newscast. The opposite path is true, too. You can send your viewers to social media and your website for additional information or updates between your on-air broadcasts. Ideally, youd create a circle, with people going round-and-round between the various products you offer to get information. Proof-of-Performance Advertising Reminds People of Your Coverage A proof of performance advertisement, or p.o.p., is the final way to cement your news brand with viewers. It tells p eople what youve done for them. This is how a typical p.o.p. is written Last week, Action News welches the only news team allowed inside the governors mansion for an exclusive interview with the states top leader. We also showed you why some local families say their tap water smells. And we introduced you to the 5-year-old girl who already knows how to spell words better than many grownups. To get stories that no one else has, make sure youre watching Action News at 5, 6 and 11. Because even heavy local news viewers still only watch a handful of newscasts in a week, they dont know about all of the great stories youve produced. Viewers who may watch another station will see these ads and reconsider which station they prefer for news. Its important that your p.o.p. script not sound braggy, arrogant or mean-spirited. You wouldnt want to say something like, At 3 a.m. Monday morning, the lazy Channel 12 news team was asleep. But we, the dedicated news professionals at Channel 6, were har d at work, on the scene of the fire that killed three people Telling people you were the first to gleefully report news of death is also not good for your image. More than ever, delivering a successful TV newscast requires more than good content and a commitment to serve your community. You also have to be good at selling your product in every place you can in order to command the largest possible audience.