You’re probably slouched over your laptop, coffee long gone cold, daydreaming about landing a spot on CNN or The Today Show. Maybe you’re a startup founder with a product that’s about to shake things up, an author with a book fresh off the press, or an expert with ideas the world needs to hear.

Getting on national TV feels like trying to catch lightning in a bottle, but it’s not out of reach. How do you get producers to notice you? What makes a pitch impossible to ignore? I’ve stumbled through this with friends, botching a few pitches myself along the way, and I’ve picked up some hard-won lessons.

Let’s walk through crafting a pitch that grabs attention, with real, practical tips to up your odds. If you’re looking for pros to boost your cred, public relations firms like 9FigureMedia are a solid bet for building exposure.

Why National TV Is Worth It

Landing national TV isn’t just a flex. It’s a chance to reach millions, grow your brand, and unlock doors—like a Forbes guest post or a TEDx invite. Producers get swamped with pitches daily, though. Yours needs to feel urgent, human, and spot-on. How do you pull that off? Let’s break it down, piece by piece, like we’re figuring it out over coffee.

Piece 1: Get the Show’s Vibe

Before you write a single word, know the show you’re pitching. Every program’s got its own flavor. Good Morning America loves quick tips for busy families; 60 Minutes wants gritty investigations. Who’s tuning in? What do they care about? If your pitch feels off-target, it’s headed for the trash.

My friend Sarah, a nutritionist, was dead-set on The Today Show. She binged episodes, noticed they leaned into practical tips for parents, and shaped her pitch around that. No airtime yet, but she got a reply, which felt like a mini-miracle. I keep telling her to try again. Study the show’s audience and recent stories to make your pitch fit.

Try this: Pick a show. Watch three episodes. Scribble down their tone, topics, and audience. Ask: Does my story belong here?

Piece 2: Tie It to What’s Happening