Good People Talent Q&A

Author

Interview Hub
May 15, 2025

This is a Preview of our Industry Pro Membership

Hi there,

You’ve probably crossed paths with Tricia Durrant—whether in your inbox, at a podcast studio, or wrangling talent backstage at an awards show.

With a career that spans Entertainment Tonight, Hello Sunshine, Interview Hub, and countless red carpets, Tricia has booked talent everywhere from national news desks to meaningful, mission-driven podcasts.

Now, she’s bringing that traditional media expertise into modern spaces—applying her experience to podcasts, newsletters, and digital-first platforms.

In this piece, she breaks down how she approaches booking across four very different media verticals—and shares sharp, time-saving tips for publicists along the way. And if you’re an independent podcaster booking your own show? This is just as much for you. From building smart wish lists to crafting pitches that actually land, consider this your inside track to booking like a pro.

Tricia’s entertainment relationships run deep, and her instincts are razor-sharp. Bottom line: everyone needs a Tricia on their team.

Enjoy,
Tracey Raftery
Interview Hub

P.S. Got a client doing press?! Submit here 

From Red Carpets to New Media: Navigating Talent Booking with Tricia Durrant of Good People Talent

Here’s a quick guide to how I approach booking talent across four different types of projects - and some tips for publicists along the way!

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS SPOTLIGHT
‘ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT’

Relationships Matter
In today’s media landscape, everything overlaps - fashion, film, sports, digital, brand partnerships, etc. That’s why it’s essential to build and nurture relationships across all corners of the entertainment industry. I’m grateful to have built trusted connections over 15 years in entertainment news.

Intuition is a Skill 
Be a sponge and learn to trust your pop culture intuition. My early years at E! Entertainment were akin to grad school - I developed a strong gut instinct for trends, talent, and what resonates with audiences.

Pitching Tips 
Always ask yourself, What’s the “why” behind my pitch? Why should this story be told now, and why should the viewer care? Bullet point and shorten the pitch so I don’t have to when I forward on to my assignment editor/client.

Know Your Outlet 
All it takes is a quick scan of their socials or website. My biggest pet peeve at an entertainment news outlet was when there was no celebrity tie-in pitched!

LIVE EVENTS SPOTLIGHT
THE GRACIE AWARDS GALA

Production Mindset
A live event functions like a live television show, so I apply the same booking and production skillset from my background. A publicist can treat it just the same.

Smart Pitching
I strategically collaborate with clients on a talent wish list, craft a pitch email that answers every question a publicist may have and then conduct outreach.

Reaching the Right Reps 
The Gracies honor women in media, which means I work closely with reps across studios, networks, podcasts, radio and personal agencies. As a freelancer, part of my job is to continually educate the community about who my clients are. Tools like Interview Hub’s upcoming Talent Directory – join here– will help keep the community connected.

Face-to-Face Still Matters 
At this year’s May 20th Gala, I’m encouraging Good People Talent’s wranglers to introduce themselves to representatives. In a digital world, real-life connections can still go a long way. The art of coffee and lunch should not be lost.

NEWSLETTER SPOTLIGHT
INTERVIEW HUB

Digital-First Instincts 
My start in entertainment news coincided with the rise of social media. I was always the producer tracking Vine stars, early YouTubers, and digital creators making waves online. Those “pulse of pop culture” instincts now guide me in helping Interview Hub find talent, events and content to include in the weekly newsletter.

Bridge Builder 
Interview Hub is a dream client because I get to connect reps of all kinds with journalists, podcasters, content creators, and media of every shape and size.

Pitch Wide
I still monitor the news cycle 24/7 (old habits die hard,) so I aim to be aware of every talent on your roster. Pitch them all and pitch wide - you never know what will click (pun intended) with a journalist or outlet. You could miss out on a great opportunity simply because you didn’t pitch to a booker or on Interview Hub.

PODCASTS SPOTLIGHT
HELLO SUNSHINE & IHEARTPODCAST’S
‘THE BRIGHT SIDE’

Purpose-Driven Clients
Working on The Bright Side was like witnessing a master class in journalism every day. Hosts Danielle Robay and Simone Boyce had the dream job of interviewing and lifting empowering women. There’s nothing more rewarding than working with meaningful clients. It is Good People Talent’s goal to work with and uplift female founders.

Invest in Video Podcasts 
In-person interviews make for a more visual and deep conversation. The audience stays engaged longer and your project can get more promotion than a typical 5 minute interview. Consider building out press days dedicated solely to in-studio podcast recordings.

Pro Tip
If you're pitching an expert or author without “tape,” it may be tough for a talent booker to convince their client to book them. We need to know what a full-length conversation will sound and look like.

Final Thought 
Whatever you do – strive to be good people!

P.S. We hope you enjoyed this Preview issue of our Industry Pro Membership. If you want this type of intel for you and your team every month, join us.