I Wanna Be On TV

One of the most common questions I get on a weekly basis is, “How did you get on TV shows for real estate?”  Several planets need to align just right for you to make the cut.

1.  You need to be in a “Production City.”  Many of the decision-makers are looking for agents in cities that have proximity to Union and accepted audio and video crews.  They typically are in larger cities or cities known for media heavy outlets.  On last check, their preference is to have the acceptable crews within 30 minutes of their base.  If you’re in Atlanta, Nashville, Austin, Los Angeles, Washington DC, New York and Portland, your chances are a lot better.  If you’re in a LOT of America, you’re outta luck (for examples, Columbus, Ohio…I checked.)

2.  You need to have videos of your hosting skills on-line.  Scouts are typically internet savvy, young graduates who have limited budgets.  Their research is conducted on-line in a quiet fashion.  They are going to search for agents in their target cities who have the look, personality and clients to make a show happen.

3.  You must have a diverse, generous clientele.  Production companies work on tight timelines and need everything as flowing as possible.  Once you have the relationship with the scout or have caught their eye, you’ll want to give them choices.  They will want energetic homebuyers buying camera-friendly homes.

If you have those three foundations, you may be a good candidate.   Additionally, you’ll want to note the following:

1.  Remember most shows are about the buyers and sellers.  NOT YOU.  You are a conductor.

2.  Be low maintenance and compliant with all the paperwork and releases.

3.  Don’t expect the heavens to open and an out-pouring of clients to land in your lap.  It doesn’t happen folks!

4.  Watch every word you say.  Don’t say or read something because a script calls for it.  You could find yourself in hot water with Fair Housing.  (I know this one, too, thanks to a TV show that had a heinous statement in the script.  I informed the company that NO licensed agent in America could read that line and keep their license.)

5.  Leave the networks alone.  They don’t make the shows.  They buy the shows from the production companies they have commissioned.  To the MORE THAN 50 agents who have complained that HGTV hasn’t returned their calls and emails to me, THEY WON’T!!