You’ve spent hours crafting attention-grabbing subject lines, revised every last word, and consistently follow up with writers – yet your pitches keep getting rejected. So what gives? Well, for starters, it’s important to remember that most top-tier publishers receive between anywhere from 50 and 500 pitches per week. Most writers only publish one story per day, making it very easy for your email pitch to get lost in a sea of other pitches. Whether you’re an established brand or you’re just starting out, securing media coverage from the right publication can transform your business overnight, making it well worth your time. Want to know how a successful public relations agency writes compelling media pitches guaranteed to stand out in any writer’s inbox?
Here are 5 tips you should consider when writing your next pitch:
Keep It Short.
While it seems appropriate to tell the writer everything about the company you’re pitching, that’s not the case. A short, straight-to-the-point pitch with between 150-200 words is the ideal amount to spark any writer’s interest.
Structure It.
Most writers will not take the time to read your pitch if you don’t take the time to structure it. Even though you’re pitching via email, a well-structured media pitch that is easy to understand and presents the information clearly will increase your chances of securing coverage.
Don’t Underestimate The Power Of A Subject Line.
A boring subject line will have any writer moving your pitch straight from their inbox to the trash. Before you send your pitch off, check out the writer’s previous headlines or articles. Try mimicking their style in your email subject line or practice writing a subject line that matches their beat, as this will help writers imagine your pitch as one of their articles.
Personalize It.
Take the time to customize each media pitch. Or, better yet, mention a story the writer recently published. Personalization is a great way to get your pitch noticed and have writers more inclined to read your pitch.
Only Pitch To Relevant Contacts.
Before you write your media pitch, build a list of people that might be interested in covering your story. There are only select writers from each outlet whose beat aligns with your pitch. Pitching to those specific contacts is the quickest and easiest way to find writers that will read and like your pitch.
Now that you’ve got down how to write an effective public relations media pitch, here are some tips for pitching and conducting media relations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
