Hi, friends! Last week, I had such a wonderful time doing a Mother’s Day T.V. segment on WXYZ Detroit. It was my fourth time participating in a segment on the Detroit-based news station and my fifth time doing a lifestyle segment on a Michigan-based news channel.

My first time doing a T.V. segment was for ABC12 WJRT Flint. I shared a delicious potato masala recipe for National Vegan Month.

I remember the first time I did a lifestyle segment on live television (OMG!). I was super nervous! Even though the time frame of a lifestyle segment is about 3 minutes long, it can be nerve-racking when you’re not used to being on T.V. regularly!

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to do a T.V. segment on WXYZ Detroit. Pictured with news anchor Alicia Smith (2019).
My first T.V. segment experience was on ABC12 WJRT Flint in November 2017.

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I am amazed at how the news anchors report the news on television. After getting a behind the scenes look at ABC12 WJRT Flint and WXYZ Detroit, I have a greater appreciation for all our television journalists do for our communities!

I’ve had a few people ask me questions about doing a T.V. segment for a local news station so I thought I’d share a few tips in a blog post.

My first time on WXYZ Detroit with news anchor Alicia Smith!
Sometimes you meet cool guests at the news station. DO take photos with the other guests! It makes for great memories and you can share the photos with your family and friends on social media! (Photo with Buddy the Elf on WXYZ Detroit in 2017)

16 TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR A T.V. SEGMENT

1. Get a good night’s rest the day before your T.V. segment. Morning segments are very early in the morning. Sometimes you have to arrive at 6 a.m. so it’s important you feel well-rested. Also, since you’re going to be on television, you don’t want to look tired.

2. Set out your outfit, makeup, and hair products the night before. It will help you with getting ready the next morning. You won’t feel rushed and you won’t have to worry about picking out an outfit the day of your segment.

3. Make a list of everything you need for the T.V. segment. If you are collaborating with a business, make sure you schedule a conference call with your contact person a few days in advance. This way if there are any last-minute changes to your set or you are missing props, you can let the person know ahead of time.

My Mother’s Day display table for my segment on WXYZ Detroit in May 2019.

4. The night before your T.V. segment, pack up your display props and other gear you need for your segment. When you get ready the next morning, you may feel nervous and forget something. Packing your gear ahead of time will prevent this from happening! (Trust me!)

5. Double check your gear before you leave for the television station! There’s nothing worse than arriving to the news station without your gear and props!

6. Arrive one hour before your scheduled T.V. segment air-time. This will give you enough time to prep your display props and go over your lines.

On-air with WXYZ news anchor Keenan Smith!

7. If you need assistance for your segment, then bring one assistant with you. When I do T.V. segment, I always bring my husband or my older daughter. They help me with setting up the props and taking pictures.

8. If you want a picture with a T.V. anchor, then make sure to ask the anchor when you know they have downtime. Make sure you have your camera settings ready because the picture will need to be quick since they are still working.

9. Don’t use flash photography when taking photographs on the set. The flash may show up when the news anchors are on-air.

10. Remember to be quiet and put your phone on silent when you are on the set waiting for your segment.

11. Put on your makeup and outfit BEFORE you arrive at the news station. You want to be prepared because sometimes time segments change unexpectedly.

12. Wear your makeup a little heavier than usual. Also, wear finishing powder and check for face oil before you go on-air. There will be many bright lights in the studio so you don’t want to look oily!

SIDE NOTE: Men, if you don’t normally wear makeup, then you may want to buy a drugstore brand to cover any blemishes and to control face oil. This way you don’t spend too much money and you get the coverage you need.

Yes, even the male T.V. anchors wear makeup for the television! It really helps because of the bright lights on the set. If you need help, I recommend going to a makeup store like Ulta. Ask a makeup specialist to help you find an inexpensive makeup brand for your television appearance. They will know exactly what you need! 🙂

13. Bring extra makeup in a makeup bag. This way you can touch-up your makeup before you go on-air.

14. Make sure your schedule is clear for the first half of the day. This way you won’t have to worry about scheduling conflicts. Also, your segment may be delayed if the news anchors have to cover breaking news stories.

15. Get a manicure or paint your nails! The camera will switch from you to the news anchor to the products you are discussing. Many times your hands will be seen on camera so you want to make sure your nails are on point!

16. SMILE! Even if you are the type of person who smiles a lot, you may actually forget to smile because of nerves. Smile while the news anchor is talking to the camera. Smile while you are talking. Smile. Smile. SMILE! 🙂

I hope my experience doing a T.V. segment and my tips will help other bloggers and business owners with preparing for a television appearance! Feel free to leave me a comment or email me if you have any other questions.

Special thanks to WXYZ Detroit for having me on the morning segment!


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    Written by

    Jennifer Hamra

    Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

    Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

    When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

    Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

    Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].