Missed opportunity

Charlie from wmass

We often sign in on the wall and Lament that we never get a chance to reach the masses as to what's wrong with their heating systems. We complain that people don't know what they need to do for maintenance and they don't know what qualified contractor is supposed to be doing when they look at their system. So what does this genius to today I asked you? I was called for an interview for the local news and I say, no thanks, I am not good infront of a camera. Sigh. Took my wife explaining what I missed for me to see it. Sorry Channel 22.

Danny Scully

Don't beat yourself up @Charlie from wmass , we're plumbers, not actors

Charlie from wmass

@Danny Scully I never beat myself up I'm afraid I might win.

Danny Scully

The Steam Whisperer

Charlie, give them a call back and take a stab at it. I know lots of folks that think they don't speak well in front of crowds but are some of the best communicators I know. I haven't been in front of a camera yet, but I do lots of speaking in front of crowds. Just say it like it is, remember you're talking to someone who probably knows almost nothing about steam, and your enthusisiam will show through. People always pick up on that. Besides, if you've ever seen an event and then seen the news version, it often looks little like the original.......Editing is an amazing thing!

Charlie from wmass

They already have aired an interview with another contractor. I will see if I can find a link. But I was instructed by high command to take that hill next time.

ChrisJ

Free advertising.

The Steam Whisperer

Bummer. Hopefully the other contractor was a competent steam person ( though probably not as good as you). Just jump at the next chance, or other to speak to other groups that deal with older homes, condos, property managers, historic preservation groups.etc. or the green scene folks and talk about the inherent efficiency advantages of steam. Besides the orders came from the high command!

STEVEusaPA

I've declined in the past. Unless I can have full control of the editing, I'm not interested. They either look at me stunned, say never mind, laugh, or any combo of the 3.
One of those times they 'said' they wanted to talk about the low oil prices and take some video of me making a delivery (this was 2 winters ago). This call came in at 6pm. They wanted to meet me at my office at 5AM, so we can pick a customer, drive over and make a delivery. I declined.
On the news, the story was a 10 second sound bite of the driver, with b roll of him delivering.
Now they have that stock b roll for everything good or bad about heating oil showing that guys truck.

Charlie from wmass

@STEVEusaPA that was my initial thoughts. I have also seen creative editing at it's worst.

Steamhead

They'd never ask me for such an interview, 'cause they know their cameras would break..............

Charlie from wmass

Lol, I must say I was highly disappointed when we met, you were not any where near as ugly as I had hoped from the stories of scared children.

hot_rod

Contact the station and tell them if you are interested in being interviewed. They are always looking for local talent.

It is often spur of the moment as they look to fill in a time slot. Usually around the start of heating season they look for experts to interview.

Now you have time to get your "ducks in a row" for the next opportunity.

ratio

What @STEVEusaPA said. Watch out for someone else's agenda. A previous boss interviewed with a newspaper some time back. The only line that made it in to the article was about how the fire inspectors sometimes don't always make it to the job site even after they've received their after-hours inspection fees. Not at all what my boss was led to believe the interview was about.

Once bitten twice shy, I guess.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I am sure I would be crap in front of the camera as well.

You would probably be fine because you would be talking about something you are expert at.