Television News Coaching & Consulting

Motivation. Inspiration. Transformation.

CONTACT ME

TV NEWS IS CHANGING LIKE NEVER BEFORE. TIME TO DELIVER LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

You have to be passionate about TV news to succeed in it. It’s the kind of business where you are “on the clock” around the clock. Focus, perseverance, versatility and flexibility are key. Those who constantly seek out new ways to “up their game,” who put in the extra effort daily, and who recognize opportunity to grow in even the smallest assignments or projects are those who rise above. Anything less than a 110% is not an option. 

With a three decade (plus) award-winning TV news career (and still at it on a fun freelance basis) which includes mostly anchoring and reporting, but also weather, traffic, producing and assignment editing in a variety of market sizes, one thing I’ve learned for sure is the true payoff comes with knowing how to do the job right. That means knowing which tools to use, how and when—from your inflection, your way with people, and journalistic intuition, to the latest technology. While the demand for product, or news quantity is skyrocketing, it’s no reason to let quality suffer. In fact, newsrooms as a whole and team members individually have even more reason to be set on delivering only the best. How do you do that? You recognize and capitalize on your strengths. Sounds easy, but in a business that can feel very personal, it’s not. That’s why sometimes even the smallest guidance in recognizing your potential, on both the individual and team levels, can make a world of difference. My training proves successful client after client because it’s based on bringing out the best in what they have to offer, helping them feature their gifts and hone their skills to develop the confidence and fan the kind of passion that can take them to the next level. The results are real. The reward is priceless.  

VIDEO TESTIMONIALS.

BRIANNA ANDREWS, Anchor/Reporter

GRACE FINERMAN, Anchor/Reporter

ROUSHELL HAMILTON, Anchor/Reporter

VIEW MORE

My Approach

We all know how competitive broadcast journalism is—as an individual and as a team. So, any opportunity to get the edge over the others is worth exploring. Sometimes it means making significant changes in everything from how you approach a story to the body language you use. Other times, as I mentioned earlier, the smallest tweaks or adjustments in your work can prove the most beneficial. All of my clients have eye-opening moments as we dig in when they’re finally able to see issues with their work they never noticed before and can’t wait to fix. My talent coaching can set you up for surprising results, and set you apart from the rest. Details count, which is why my approach is so comprehensive. It’s not just about skill. It’s not just about style. It’s about the perfect combination in everything from finding the most compelling story angle, and asking the right questions the right way during an interview to feeling the story, or letting empathy into your work. From what you cover in the field, to the script that’s put in front of you on the anchor desk, knowing how to “feel” the material adds a depth to your on-camera presence and delivery that is guaranteed to make you stand out.  

CONTACT ME

Sharper Skills

To stay in the game, you have to be ahead of the game on every level. But, it’s the basic skills and know-how that are too often lost. That shows. It can undermine all the work and resources invested by any news organization to put out a top product, and can impede the true potential of an individual. Reinforcing what might be considered the small stuff, from eliminating unnecessary words in a script and adding demonstrative liveshots, to vocal pitch and body language in the anchor seat, is priority in my training sessions. No matter how much TV news formats change, it is still a business where details matter significantly.

Stronger Style

Momentum in the business came for me when I honed my skills by taking to heart what other coaches taught me, while also figuring out how to make the most out of my own style. This is what I focus on next with my clients. We all have a unique style based on our personalities and I take great joy in guiding others to discover and develop theirs. It can take courage, trial and error and time to perfect, but those who stand out most, I believe, are those who make sure their “real selves” shine through.

How I'm Different

I have incredibly valuable knowledge of what it’s like to be on both sides of the camera, so to speak. While most coaches can cover the basics. I can enlighten clients the way few others can. I know first-hand what it takes to produce an award-winning piece and how to anchor with the kind of presence that makes others take note. I’ve been there—in the trenches. I know what can go wrong—from a teleprompter going black on the set, to having a liveshot ambushed by an out-of-control protester. I know the sinking feeling of stumbling over the most important line of a story. I also know the reward of landing that exclusive interview or identifying a unique angle to story no one thought of—the angle that has everyone talking. I’ve made my share of unforgettable mistakes, and I’ve claimed huge victories. Setting up stories, filling in on weather and traffic, lead story live shots, main anchor, shooting and editing skills, developing sources—been there, done that. But there’s always more. The learning moments keep on coming and not just in the freelance work I still do on-air, but also while I teach others the tricks of the trade, even some of my most rookie clients have a way of teaching me, too. I soak it all in—what their challenges are as the business continually changes, what the most common mistakes are and what approaches work best to fix issues from nerves while on camera, challenges organizing a story, “sing-songy,” “voice fry,” or any other unnatural vocal deliveries, even your on-camera mannerisms and “look.” With each client success story, I get to take new knowledge to my next client.

Also, what makes me different, I can enlighten TV journalists on what it’s like to be the interviewee or subject of a story—how to gain the trust of an interviewee, how to make them comfortable and willing to open up versus what will make them give one-word answers. I’ve been on that side of the camera too—interviewed by the likes of Diane Sawyer and lead reporters on national shows like Inside Edition and Fox and Friends. It’s a very unique perspective and I credit it for much of my success which includes Associated Press Awards, Emmy nominations and landing the kind of jobs in TV I wanted most.

More Satisfied Clients

“She helped me immensely. Within the short time I worked with her, people who followed me closely, like my news director, said they saw a huge improvement. She helped with my confidence in my anchoring and reporting. She helped me break some bad habits. She was invested in helping me. I was promoted and I owe that to her. I would recommend her to anyone at any level.”

Katie Wilson

Anchor/Reporter, WOIO-TV

“She’s been a blessing to me in my career. She’s helped me with every aspect—delivery, inflection, how to think about a story—tools you’ll need on a daily basis”

Roushell Hamilton,

Anchor, KAMR-TV

 Click for Video Testimonial!

Catherine has been so helpful, not only with my confidence, but with really pinpointing what I can work on and giving me actual goals written out that I can focus on in order to be the best I can be

Grace Finerman

Anchor/Reporter, WMUR-TV

 Click for Video Testimonial!

“She really helped with my development as far as anchoring and reporting—how to be more assertive. She helped shape me in this industry. She is such a key part of my development and I’m super grateful for her. She’s an amazing coach.”

Brianna Andrews

Anchor/Reporter, WJXT-TV

 Click for Video Testimonial!

“Catherine’s guidance and insight have been invaluable to me as a growing writer and reporter. She gives me the best coaching on what I do well, along with things I can work on. I credit a lot of my success to her teaching and advice throughout the years.”

Summer Wilkinson

Reporter, WTOV-TV

“I was incredibly lucky to have Catherine Bosley as a mentor. From the first time I met Catherine, she supported my dream in pursuing a career in broadcasting. Catherine taught me many invaluable lessons that I carry with me every day. She honed in on my interview skills, and helped with my writing, reporting, and on-air presence. She was incredibly compassionate and encouraging. I attribute my career and success in this business to Catherine.”

Michelle Spring

Morning Anchor, WTUZ

“Her approach to coaching brought me immediate benefits. She provided concrete, smart direction. After 12 years of successful on-air, television news reporting I transitioned into public relations to find the skills she taught me are applicable beyond the newsroom. Partnering with Catherine is a great way to learn the communications business from a pro who has done the hard work and knows how to translate her experience into meaningful education.”

Shannon McCormick

Media Relations Manager, Media Source

My News Training Programs

Comprehensive, immediate results driven and customized to meet your goals.

Full / Partial Staff Plan

Interactive and Energetic. A great opportunity to get your team on the same page. It’s a time to work together in recognizing your performance or product strengths, how to capitalize on them, and address any weaknesses.

Individual Plan

Personal Strategy. One-on-one or smaller groups get in depth performance analysis on a variety of issues, from writing and interviewing style, to making the most impactful on-air impression.

What my training entails

Assessment:

What do you think your strengths are and how do we capitalize on them?

What do you think your weaknesses are and how do we improve or work around them?

Initial written assessment of overall performance (anchoring/reporting/writing).

Visual delivery:

  • Noting and breaking repetitive patterns such as mannerisms/gestures that cause distraction
  • Confidence building
  • Capitalizing on the power of relaxation and pre-performance exercises

Vocal delivery:

  • Noting AND breaking repetitive patterns
  • Using a variety in pace, pause, and pitch to add impact
  • Incorporating a natural variety with volume and inflection

Interaction:

  • Establishing “chemistry” with other talent via body language and cross talk 
  • Acknowledging viewers (the camera) during cross talk on the set
  • Demonstrating “relatability” with interviewees

STYLE: The goal is to embrace and capitalize on individual personality to come across as the relatable, caring and intelligent “you” that you are to as many demographic segments as possible.

  1. Identify the mood of each story
  2. “Feel” each story so you can talk to viewers vs. reading at them
  3. Convey “personal relatability” to the audience which includes knowing what’s important to those in your market and making yourself a “local”
  4. Handling/overcoming mistakes

LIVESHOT REPORTING/STAND UPS: The goal is to be able to think on your feet, fast.

  1. Making the most out of “on the scene” which includes referencing and using surroundings
  2. Demonstrative; integrating action
  3. Vigilance in searching for/reporting on new developments
  4. Techniques/strategies to implement when there’s little information to work with

WRITING: The goal is to be the most effective and compelling storyteller. It’s the FOUNDATION of the craft.

  1. Writing for the viewer—finding the angle that matters the most—to the most
  2. Using the “diamond” model of storytelling
  3. Active vs passive
  4. Conversational—means sometimes breaking traditional writing rules
  5. Creative/impactful use of nat sound and bites
  6. “Bit to bite” formula to introduce people in stories
  7. Process journalism
  8. Emotion
  9. Brevity

MISC:

  • Career consultation at current station
  • Career consultation re: what’s next
  • Demo reel and resume consultation
  • Connection/networking assistance
Scroll to Top

The Results are Real!

Schedule a free consultation with Catherine today.

BOOK NOW
Skip to content