When you have to get your story out, you have a wide range of options available to deliver the message. But whether you’re calling a newspaper reporter, e-mailing a blogger or communicating directly with an audience, it all starts with the pitch.
MyPRGenie’s offers up ten tips for writing a winning pitch:
- Keep it short. With most people, you’ll have their attention for just a few seconds before they move on. So get to the point, in three paragraphs or less.
- Be direct. This will help you with Tip No. 1. Get to the point. Using a windup here will just give readers an excuse to move on.
- Know your audience. Put yourself in the shoes of the target of your pitch. What interests them? What gets their attention? What are their deadlines, and who is their audience? What approach will they respond well to, and what will turn them off?
- State why this is newsworthy. Tell your target why they should care about what you’re telling them, and why this is relevant now.
- Use a conversational tone. Don’t pretend to be best friends–an overly informal tone will sound phony. But use language that would be appropriate in a conversation, which will help you get your message across more quickly.
- “For more information” Always include contact information with your pitch (or follow up with this info, in the case of a phone pitch), if your target wants to learn more. At a minimum, this should include a person’s name, phone number and e-mail address.
- Individualize. One message does not fit all, when it comes to pitching. A local newspaper reporter is going to care about how your news affects his or her readers. A business owner will pay attention only if your message is relevant to the business’ bottom line. A verbal pitch over the phone should be different than an e-mailed pitch. Customize your pitch according to your audience and the circumstances.
- Adapt. Listen to and watch how your targets respond to your pitches, and learn how to refine your pitch to make it more effective. Don’t be afraid to make changes to your approach.
- Be prepared. Before you pitch, anticipate your audience’s reaction. Will they have questions? How will you answer? Do you have follow-up materials available? Have you or relevant interview subjects set aside time for follow-up interviews? If you are pitching for a client, know the subject matter cold.
- No fear. If you’ve followed these tips, you can relax and enjoy your pitching experience with confidence.
Keep in mind; part of the pitching process involves facing a certain amount of rejection. Yet each time you pitch, you gain confidence in your delivery and presentation. Taking the needs of your audience into consideration will build individual credibility each time you speak. MyPRGenie can help you increase your media presence!
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