Learn From This Guy

April 8th, 2012

You rarely hear reporters’ questions on the air. Yet questions engage viewers. They cry out for an answer.

Listen to how the late Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes fame used questions to dig deeply into issues. Simply put, he wasn’t afraid to ask the tough questions.

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Who’s the Best Interviewer at Your Station?

May 21st, 2011

Who’s the best interviewer at your station?

This Wall Street Journal ad quotes the New York Times’ choice of Chris Wallace. Who stands out at your station? Who in your market? How do you score? (The full ad was cut off in scanning, but you get the point.)

Reporters usually offer these reasons for cutting out their questions:

“My questions are too long, so I don’t have time for them.”
“My questions won’t make me look good.”
“I don’t know what to ask.”

One news director, in fact, demanded that reporters cut out their questions because they were so weak, bogging stories down.  That may be a short term solution, but doesn’t serve anyone well in the long run.

TAKEAWAYS

Remember the value of short, relevant questions that viewers want answered.
Don’t feel obligated to use every question, but look for opportunities to include your best questions.
Contact a manager for guidance if they know their questions are going to be weak.

Learn more. Click:

This Takes Nerve — and Viewers Love It

Asking Tough Questions: Tips from a News Director

Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media, TV news training | No Comments »

We Use this Example in Workshops: A Lesson Thanks to Jay + Kanye

April 7th, 2011

Watch how great  —  yet simple  — questions make for great interviews.  And this wasn’t even in a newscast.  A classic.

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Asking Tough Questions: Tips from a News Director

April 7th, 2011

Many multimedia journalists seem reluctant to ask tough questions. They don’t want to burn bridges with officials or cops.

The news director of our Corpus Christi client station, KRIS-TV, Sandra Richards, offers her insights.

Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media | 1 Comment »

This Takes Nerve — and Viewers Love It

February 24th, 2011

If you’re sometimes reluctant to ask a tough question — the kind viewers want you to ask — just watch this as it ran.  Then see my comments at the bottom of the screen.

Remember, if you the questions viewers want you to ask, you’re doing your job.  Make it the viewers’ questions.

————————-

Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media, TV news training, Twitter | 1 Comment »

Multimedia Minutes: Strong Questions Promotion Can Use

September 23rd, 2010

You’re asking great questions when you hear them in a promo.

See what how KSNV/Las Vegas anchor-reporter Marie Mortera and director of promotions Mark Whitehead made great use of fifteen seconds to sell Marie’s story.

WHAT WORKED BEST

• Marie’s questions represented a strong sell with a minimum of copy.
• Her  second question succinctly provides background info — a good approach that avoids the need for extra copy.  
• Camera starts wide on Marie and tightens up after she  gestures. 
• The words supered on the screen reinforce the main question.  
• Marie asks questions in an engaging, real, conversational, yet intense way.  
• This promo gave Marie visibility in a meaningful way.
• It was light on claims, heavy on proof.

How do your questions and promos compare?

Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 12 Comments »

Multimedia Minutes: Tough Questions Watching Out for Taxpayers

July 8th, 2010

Viewers say they can’t get enough of this:  Asking the tough questions, serving as a watchdog for their tax money.   This promo makes the station’s brand of journalism clear.

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Multimedia Minutes: Think Libraries are Safe for Kids? See What Chelsea Kopta Revealed

June 3rd, 2010

You can learn alot about asking the tough questions and going the extra steps by watching this example of viewer advocacy.

I asked Chelsea to tell us the story behind the story, which she did with the help of a Flip Cam.  You probably know this, but when she refers to a viewer writing about “pc,” it means politically correct.

Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 1 Comment »

Multimedia Minutes: Dealing with “That’s a Silly Question”

April 30th, 2010

Savvy officials and politicians know how to manage the media — especially multimedia journalists new to their craft.  One of the ways they can cut you down is by responding ”That’s a silly question.” 

It can make you feel incompetent.  But you can rise to the occasion, as the reporter in this promo did.

You also saw in this spot how asking the tough questions to get answers for your viewers represents a powerful brand of journalism.  It takes preparation and courage on your part, but it’s way to thrive in an Extinct or Distinct environment. 

Same for anchors.  In this case, Greg Floyd at WRGB-TV get out from the anchor test to ask the tough questions.  A great example of anchor as Chief Journalist and Viewer Advocate.

Posted in broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | 2 Comments »

Multimedia Minutes: Valuable Learning Tool

April 28th, 2010

Here’s a valuable way to celebrate progress, keep momentum going, and raise the bar:  Viewing examples of memorable moments every week.  A news director or news manager ensures the best examples are dubbed off, viewed, and discussed.  In the case of this viewer advocacy station, the examples show the tough questions for the week:

Yes, proof of branding will be much easier if you take this weekly approach.

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