Pitching your story to national publications can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor.
A well-crafted pitch can open doors to incredible media exposure and help establish you as an industry expert or further raise your profile.
Too often, however, people approach pitching in the wrong way. They fire off unprofessional pitches, queries that are boring, or worse – pitches that don’t demonstrate value to the media outlet’s audience,
Not only should your pitch be professional, friendly, and approachable, but it should also tick off a host of other boxes to ensure a favorable response. That’s how you get someone in the media to say “yes” and let you share your message with TV viewers, readers, or listeners.
Here are some tips to follow to get your pitches noticed, and help you get your story featured in top national publications.
Understand your target publications or outlets
Before you start crafting your pitch, it’s crucial to understand the publications you’re targeting.
For print publications, spend time reading articles, studying the writing style, and identifying the type of content they publish. This will help you tailor your pitch to align with the publication’s audience, tone, and editorial guidelines.
For broadcast media, know what kind of segments they typically do. Is a producer more likely to say yes to a lifestyle piece, a hard news segment where you’re featured as an expert, or something else? Your pitch should match the types of stories or format they already broadcast.
Develop a unique and newsworthy story angle
To grab the attention of editors, your story idea must be unique, timely, and relevant.
Consider what sets you apart from others in your industry and think about the value you can provide to the publication’s readers.
Look for angles that haven’t been covered before and consider tying your story to current events or trending topics.
Keep it concise and clear
Editors and producers receive numerous pitches every day, so it’s essential to keep your pitch concise and to the point.
Aim for a couple of brief paragraphs that clearly outline your story idea, its relevance to the publication or outlet, and your credentials.
Avoid using jargon or overly technical language and focus on making your pitch easy to understand, engaging, and of service to the audience.
Personalize your pitch
Show the editor that you’ve done your homework by personalizing your pitch.
Reference specific articles they’ve published or mention shared interests to demonstrate your familiarity with their work. This not only helps build rapport but also shows that you’ve put in the effort to understand their publication and audience.
Lead with a strong subject line
Your email’s subject line is the first thing an editor or TV producer will see, so make it count.
Craft a subject line that is click-worthy, informative, and concise. This will increase the likelihood that your email will be opened and read.
Provide social proof
If you have previous media appearances, published articles, or industry accolades, mention them in your pitch.
This helps establish your credibility and provides social proof that you are an expert in your field.
Be mindful of the timing
Timing is key when pitching your story.
Consider a print publication’s editorial calendar and submit your pitch well in advance of any relevant events, holidays, or seasonal trends.
Additionally, be mindful of when you send your pitch – avoid sending it on weekends or late in the evening when it’s more likely to get lost in the editor’s inbox.
Make it easy for the editor
Provide all the necessary information the editor will need to evaluate your pitch, including your contact information, website, and any relevant links or attachments.
Make it as easy as possible for the editor to get in touch with you and access your materials.
Follow up, but don’t be pushy
If you haven’t heard back from an editor after a week or so, it’s appropriate to send a polite follow-up email. However, avoid being pushy or sending too many follow-ups, as this can harm your chances of getting published.
Learn from feedback and rejections
Rejections are a part of the pitching process, so it’s important to learn from them and use the feedback to improve your future pitches.
If an editor provides constructive criticism, take it in stride and use it to refine your approach.
Mastering the art of pitching takes time, practice, and persistence.
By following these tips and staying committed to honing your skills, you’ll increase your chances of getting your story featured in top national publications and media outlets.
Remember, every successful pitch is a stepping stone toward building valuable media relationships and establishing yourself as an industry expert.
Embrace the process, learn from your experiences, and keep refining your approach – soon, you’ll be well on your way to securing placements in the publications and media platforms that matter most to you and your audience.
