5 Steps to Build Your Brand as a TV Personality

5 Steps to Build Your Brand as a TV Personality5 Steps to Build Your Brand as a TV PersonalityIf you work onair at a television station, youve realized that the people who make the most money are the ones who have carved themselves a niche as a TV personality. Theyre the ones who are the most recognized people in your city. While it may have taken them years to position themselves as an irreplaceable TV personality, you can reach the same status by examining how you come across to viewers. Find a Look Everyone knows Gene Shalit from NBCs The Today Show by his curly hair and mustache. While an evening nachrichtensendung anchor wont likely be allowed to duplicate Shalits unique style, there are small changes you can make to create a longer-lasting impression with viewers. Retired ABC news reporter Sam Donaldson always wore red neckties. Decide whether theres something memorable you can do to your appearance. Major adjustments will have to be discussed with your managers, so your pl an to wear a fedora while delivering the 6 oclock news might get nixed. Find a Cause An easy way to create a loyal following is to adopt a charitable cause. An anchorwoman who survived breast cancer is likely beloved by the local breast-cancer-fighting foundation, even though she didnt plan to get cancer just to get more viewers. If a health-related charity isnt your thing, find a way to help public schools in a high-profile way. Parents take notice of people wanting to improve classrooms. Try to become the face associated with the cause. You and the charity will both benefit from the exposure. Find a Style The most legendary TV personalities have a style thats all their own. Think of Peter Jennings, David Brinkley, or Barbara Walters from ABC, Mike Wallace, Dan Rather, or Andy Rooney from CBS. These people are sometimes imitated on Saturday Night Live because they are so unique. While you shouldnt decide that you want to sound like Tom Brokaw while reading the news, look th rough your recent stories or newscasts to see if theres a thread that binds them together. Do you like to demonstrate something while on the air? Do you want to be known for asking tough questions? Those can be the building blocks for developing your on-air style. Find Your Place in the Community fruchtwein on-air people come and go so quickly that viewers dont even notice them. Thats why managers often dont invest money or promotion in people they think will be gone in two years. You can show them youre worth the money by inserting yourself into the community, especially when theres no TV camera around. Teach Sunday school at your church, join a civic club, or find a leadership class. You will accomplish two things Touch small groups of people in a meaningful way and show your bosses that you have a commitment to something other than finding your next job. Find Consistency This may be the toughest point to follow because on-air people are used to change. You have to learn t o pace yourself for the long haul. Its true that personalities like Oprah Winfrey found instant success on the national stage, but dig into their past and youll find it took a lot of hard work to get them there. Volunteering at the humane society one day a month wont turn you into an overnight TV personality. If you are truly interested in making an impact in your city, you have to dedicate your personal time and be patient while awaiting the payoff. It never hurts to remind your bosses of how you spend your off time.