Are you currently working as a broadcast journalist but having trouble landing jobs? Is this confusing because you’re frequently told that you’re good at what you do?
You very well may be a good meteorologist or reporter. But just as in any profession, certain skills and traits are required to excel as a broadcast journalist.
So what are the qualities of great TV news talent?
Qualities of Great TV News Talent
First and foremost, the key to landing more work and moving up in the industry starts with serious leadership skills. Especially if you’re jockeying for a prestigious position such as lead anchor.
It’s not enough though to be a strong leader. As any top-of-the-line TV news talent agent will tell you, there are additional traits and skills you should possess.
Be a Great Storyteller
If you want to advance as a broadcaster, you need to be able to get to the bottom of a story. And this requires solid investigative skills. You should know the right questions to ask to get the answers and relevant information that will move the story forward. Because at the end of the day, a great reporter is a great storyteller.
Have Excellent Communication Skills
Hopefully, you were drawn to broadcasting because you love to connect with people. But you also need to be able to speak on camera to your unseen audience. What’s more, those communication skills need to come across in your writing, as well as when working with your team. After all, creating a newscast is about teamwork on BOTH sides of the camera.
Handle Pressure with Aplomb
Great TV news talent not only handles pressure with aplomb, but they thrive on it to some degree. News media is driven by sometimes fierce deadlines and a short amount of time to meet them. So being able to handle pressure without crumbling is essential.
Focus on Source Development
Regardless of how long you’ve been in your current community, or in the industry as a whole, a committed broadcast journalist is always ready to give his or her contact information to community leaders such as city council members, the police, government officials, etc. Source development is key to staying relevant.
Take Advantage of Social Media
Everyone knows that the news isn’t limited to 5,6, and 11. It hasn’t been that way for many decades. 24-hour news cycle channels put the kibosh on that. In addition, the advent of social media enables people to be involved with current events at ALL TIMES. Therefore, being able to navigate social media is a necessity.
Prioritize Authenticity and Curiosity
Regardless of how much your education in broadcasting may have taught you to express sincerity, you can bet that the modern viewing public can easily spot if you’re being fake. And if you’re seen as insincere, you will not go far. The TV news talent greats have always been truly curious and passionate about their work, as well as the audiences they serve.
Show Integrity and Humanity
In line with being authentic and curious, successful broadcast journalists know the importance of exposing their own integrity and humanity. Any robot can report the news. Just ask AI. By bringing in a human element and circling back to being a storyteller, you’re delivering a product that AI will never be able to accomplish. Audiences (of honest media outlets, at least) are still looking for good people on screen.
Just Generally Live a Well-Rounded Life!
Finally, and this could be the most important one, be sure you’re striking a balance in your life. Easier said than done, we know. But any broadcast journalist who claims that they eat, drink, sleep, and breathe news isn’t passionate so much as neurotic. And this will come across. So it’s important to have diversions.
Forward Your Career with a Highly Experienced TV News Talent Agent
Now that you understand the qualities of great TV news talent, you may be wondering where to turn to fine-tune some of those skills.
Your talent agent should be assisting you with every aspect of your career and not just finding placements for you. If that’s not the case, then contact us today.
Our seasoned TV news talent agents know the importance of well-rounded talent and we go the extra mile to ensure that you’re the best anchor/reporter/meteorologist/sports reporter you can be.
