| Sanjay Gupta passed on the job to be the next | | | | agrees adding, "If you are looking to be a TV |
| Surgeon General and decided to keep his job at | | | | doctor, you need charisma and knowledge." |
| CNN.Can you blame him? | | | | Todtfeld produced thousands of segments for |
| Being a TV Doc is a good gig if you can get it. | | | | FOX News including FOX and Friends and Bill |
| You get to influence millions of people and you | | | | O'Reilly. |
| get to keep practicing medicine. Furthermore, you | | | | Says Todtfeld, "No matter what they do, it |
| can improve your reputation which increases the | | | | always comes down to charisma and knowledge. |
| demand for your services as a doctor in the | | | | Let's start with knowledge. Viewers really need to |
| process. What's not to like? | | | | have the sense that this doctor has all the |
| How does one prepare for that type of job | | | | answers. Many TV doctors do extra research |
| should an opportunity arise? | | | | before their segment to give as much as they |
| If you are a doctor who's been on TV and has | | | | can to the viewers. Likeability is the second, but |
| produced news segments or shows you've got a | | | | just as important. TV viewers need to feel that |
| shot at it. If not... well sorry, you're not in the | | | | this is their doctor. They need to feel like this new |
| running. | | | | person is a friend giving advice. Look at Dr. Phil. |
| First let's diagnose the situation. Have you | | | | Although he's not a medical doctor, he has charm, |
| appeared on TV before? Are you the "go-to" | | | | charisma, and a true likeability factor." |
| doctor in your market area when the media | | | | What about looks? Does a TV doctor have to be |
| needs a quote about a medical issue? If so, great. | | | | good looking? "Although it couldn't hurt," says |
| If not, why not? Doctors who want to get a | | | | Todtfeld, "people want smart medical advice from |
| higher profile and snag a TV job need to create a | | | | someone they trust and good looks help with the |
| strategy that includes getting PR for their own | | | | trust factor." |
| practice and procedures. They need to | | | | As a media trainer Todtfeld gives his clients the |
| aggressively go after the medical news stories of | | | | tools they need to be confident on TV so they |
| the day by contacting media outlets in their | | | | become able to convey honesty, integrity and all |
| immediate area and offering themselves as | | | | the characteristics one needs to communicate |
| experts. If they are not comfortable "pitching" a | | | | effectively. |
| story to a producer they need to hire a publicist | | | | As a publicist specializing in medical practice |
| who can do it for them. | | | | marketing I've been involved with introducing |
| These are just a few of the steps to begin laying | | | | numerous elective surgery procedures to the |
| the groundwork for that TV-News-Doctor | | | | media including Ultrasonic Liposuction, Endoscopic |
| position. Believe me, CNN, FOX or any other | | | | Breast Augmentation, LASIK, Laser Vaginal |
| network will not be replacing their TV doctors | | | | Tightening, and Dental Implants. As a result, I |
| with a person who is new to the TV news | | | | have a pretty good idea of what TV media is |
| business. Understandably, they'll hire someone who | | | | looking for. What is it? A good story. A story that |
| is already experienced. | | | | can be told with good visuals, real people, real |
| A TV doctor must be able to communicate | | | | emotions all while providing useful information. |
| sincerity, empathy and helpful actionable | | | | The bottom line: If you want to become a TV |
| information. That doctor needs to be enthusiastic, | | | | doctor start now to lay the groundwork and put |
| charismatic and most importantly believable. | | | | a plan into action. Share that plan with others who |
| Jess Todtfeld, President of Media Training | | | | can help you. Retain a top publicist who can offer |
| Worldwide and a former FOX News Producer | | | | even more help. Start now! |