Although I’m not an appearance consultant, I often talk to my clients about hair, makeup or wardrobe if it is creating a distraction from their performance. This is especially important for stations or individuals who can’t budget for BOTH appearance and talent coaching.

Ashley Glass of WFTS in Tampa gets it right. Even in a busy and chaotic scene, she stands out as a storyteller without any appearance distractions.

By following my simple set of rules, TV news presenters and show hosts can make sure the audience is focused on their story or their message. Veteran newscasters often need to update their look, newcomers may need to graduate from the “college” look, and everyone needs to make sure their clothes have a flattering fit. It’s also important to make sure you are in top shape, not only because you will look better, but because you will have the fitness level to make it through an entire segment or newscast without losing your breath.

Washington DC journalist Sonya Gavankar quotes me in her article on the evolution of TV news wardrobe for women. Read more at this link. Get the distractions out of the way so the audience can focus on your storytelling.