A strong pitch often makes the difference between your email getting sent straight to the trash or securing a feature story. Writing a pitch can seem like a daunting task if you don’t have much experience in the public relations space. Below are our tips to get you started.
Keep it relevant – Research the reporter to get a sense of the content they typically cover. You can read their past stories and check out their twitter feed to better understand their beat. Also take time to consider who is their reader and why this would make a great story for them?
Be concise and informative – Keep in mind most journalists receive thousands of pitch ideas each and every day. Stand out with a strong subject line. When writing the pitch understand the tone of the media outlets. Consider whether it might be appropriate to lean into a fun, casual tone, or if it’s more of a hard news outlet.
Make it interesting – Include any photos, gifs, and charts you have to create visual interest, and be sure to include statistics, studies, and links that support your point and provide more information.
Proofread – Pay attention to grammar and make sure you spell-check. If possible have another set of eyes proofread your pitch before you hit send.
End with a bang – Be sure to include a call to action at the end as well as any relevant contact information. Consider what the next logical steps might be towards securing your story – do you need to offer the journalist product samples so they can try it, a interview with a spokesperson, or direct them to further sources.