The Creative Connection

Your Experts Are:
DeDe Barnum – Television Executive Producer/Director
Stephanie Halleen -Freelance Producer of Lifestyle and Reality Television Shows

Your Roundtable Participants Include:
Julie Cove – TV design expert
Mary Hettmansperger – expert for PBS shows Beads, Baubles and Jewels, and Quilting Arts

Presenting Your Pitch:

1. All materials must be created in an electronic format and submitted to Brandy Shay –  brandy@thecreativeconnectionevent.com – by September 5th. This presentation will then be forwarded to each of the Experts and Roundtable Participants to review and have with them during your presentation.
2. You may bring to the Pitch a printed copy of your materials for each Expert and Roundtable Participant to strengthen your presentation.

Pitch Contents:

1. An Introduction to “you” that will include a concise biography and headshot. As a guideline for your Introduction, you may use Form #1 below.
2. A 60-second video, which can be accessed with a YouTube link, demonstrating your craft or area of expertise. The video should showcase your ease and professionalism on camera, as well as highlight your product or skill.
3. A visual illustration of your concept. This could be a photograph, or small three-dimensional representation.

REMEMBER: You only have 3 minutes, which equals approximately 400 words. Keep your pitch concise and focused.

Form #1 for Introduction:

Using one page for your written introduction, please include the following information in the order listed:

1. Date
2. Full name
3. Company name, if applicable
4. Contact information
5. Biography– 150-175 words

Guidelines for Your Biography and Headshot

Your biography establishes your credibility as a television guest. Be sure to include any experience you have on camera—including online video. Additionally, what is your professional expertise, education, life experience, or other compelling qualification that makes you the best person to be a television guest? And, please let us know if you have a social media presence; for example, are you on Twitter and/or Facebook? If so, how many people follow you on Twitter, and how many fans or friends do you have on Facebook?

Your written biography should be no longer than two paragraphs, or 150-175 words.

In the pitch, your introduction should be no longer than 50-75 words. That equals two to three sentences. Whittle down what’s most important for the pitch and practice reciting it.

Your headshot should be a professional photo taken in the past six months, and should be appropriate for the shows you are pitching. For helpful guidelines about headshots, visit this link: http://www.headshots101.com/index.html.

Form #2 for Product/Skill Overview:

Using one single-spaced page for your written Product/Skill Overview, include the following information:

1. Brief and concise description of your product or skill. (150-175 words)
2. Brief and concise explanation of how your product or skill is different from those currently on television, who your target market and viewers are, and how your product or skill meets an underserved or unmet niche in the marketplace. (150-175 words)

In the pitch, your overview will be 300-350 words. Practice delivering the overview aloud, along with your introduction, to keep within the three-minute time limit. Shorten if necessary.

Winners: