How to Sell a Home Video to TV News

Television stations are interested in home video if you captured something huge such as an earthquake, attack, crime or some other breaking news. If the news stations sent their crews to the scene, they'll likely not need your video. But, if you were the only one to capture it or you got the coveted shot, they may pay you for your home video.

Instructions

1. Evaluate the worth of your video. Ask yourself objectively if it's something the TV news stations would want to buy.

2. Act in a timely manner. Video loses its timeliness very quickly, and TV news is all about what is happening right now, not what happened a week ago.

3. Call the stations. Ask to speak to the assignment desk. These are the people who decide what gets covered by whom. They book live shots and coordinate crews.

4. Explain what video you have, how much there is and why they'd want it.

5. Tell the station that you're talking to the other stations, too. This may prompt them to scoop up the video to beat the competition.

6. Set a price. Unless you've sold video before and know what the market pays for it, negotiate the price with the station management.

7. Ask the station to courtesy the video. This means the anchors have to say where the video came from. The producers can also put a courtesy graphic on the bottom of the screen. If you're an amateur, this isn't necessary. But, if you hope to make a career as a stringer, this will help get your name out there.

Tips & Warnings

• If you get nowhere with the assignment desk, ask to speak with the Assistant News Director or News Director.

• Unless you work out an exclusive deal with one station, you can sell your video to them all if you'd like.

• Keep in touch and maintain a good relationship with a station if you hope to shoot more video for them in the future.