How To Get On Shark Tank In 9 Steps

Always wanted to be on ABC's Shark Tank? Here are 10 ways you are more likely to get seen and picked up!

1. Get a patent.

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Even if your business has not yet taken off, you should file for a provisional patent via the US Patent Office Website. This allows you to say that your invention is "Patent Pending" and protects your claim to it.

2. Check your eligibility.

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As with all reality shows, there are certain eligibility requirements you must meet before you can be considered. In order to be eligible:

You must be at least 18 years of age.

You must be a legal resident of the U.S.

You, your immediate family, and anyone in your household must not have worked for or with any company, investor, or affiliation connected to Shark Tank within the past two years.

You must not be a candidate for public office or become one until one year after the first broadcast of the last episode you appear in if selected.

You must not have been convicted of a felony.

You must be willing to submit to a background check.

3. Wait for auditions to open.

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You can technically send in an application at any time of the year, but you will have a better chance of being accepted to the show if you apply during an open casting call.

4. Read the Terms of Use.

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You will need to familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions put forth by ABC/The Walt Disney Company. You will also need to know the general terms of use for applying to and appearing on Shark Tank.

5. Email the casting team.

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The casting email is: [e-mail]. Structure the email in business email format for best results.

6. Provide information about yourself.

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Your email should be fairly brief, but at minimum, you should include your name, age, contact information, and a recent photograph.

Include your full name and title.

State your age directly instead of providing an approximation. In other words, do not simply state, “I am over 18 years of age and therefore meet the eligibility requirement.”

Your recent photo can be included as an attachment or within the body of the email.

Your contact information should include your business phone number, fax number (if applicable), business email address, and business mailing address.

7. Include information about your business, idea, or product.

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The final piece of information you should provide is a brief description of the product or business you want to pitch for the show. Understand, again, that this description is non-confidential.

Focus on pitching your dream rather than the figures. Facts and figures are important, of course, but what really sells an idea to the casting directors is your drive, determination, and passion.

Consider including a bit of background information about how you came up with your product or business as well as a brief outline of your business model or intended model.

Also mention any notable challenges you face as well as any reasons you can think of for why your business or idea stands out well enough for reality TV.

8. Check the Shark Tank casting call schedule.

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Casting calls are usually held at about five different locations nationwide. You will need to check the schedule, posted on the show's official website, to determine the best date and location for you. This schedule with provide an address, a time at which numbered wrist bands are distributed at each event, and a time that interviews begin at each event.

9. Make a one-minute pitch.

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When you are called for your interview, you will have 60 seconds to pitch your idea to a member of the casting team. The pitch should be focused on selling your “dream” and showcasing your motivation. Do not simply showcase your past success.

Know how you are going to get your product to distributors or retailers.

Depending on the nature of the audition and the effectiveness of your pitch, you may receive an answer about whether you are accepted or rejected on the spot.

Alternatively, it is also possible that you will not be given an answer on location and will, instead, need to wait to hear back from the casting team at a later date.

10. Bonus: Use A Company Like Mr. Checkout to Get Into Retail

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Companies like Mr. Checkout Distributors bring products like those seen on Shark Tank directly into retail stores through their network of 1,100 distributors across the country and internationally. Click here to tell them about your product!