Writing an amazing media pitch is the key to keeping an eye on your story and, most importantly, being covered and shared. It must be clear, engaging, and newsworthy. If you have an individual account and want to spotlight it, you need a guide to writing the media pitch. Fortunately, you are in the right place. Learn about media marketing and how to prepare for it, and read on to get some real-world examples of crazy media marketing.
What is a media pitch?
Before you learn how to write it, you should know the media pitch. A media Pitch is a story suggestion sent to journalists and media reporters. This suggestion usually includes a summary of the story, why it is essential, and the value it brings.
The ultimate goal of the media pitch is for the media to get hooked on your story and decide to take it up. Such media presentations are most often sent by email, but can also be done on social platforms or by phone. But why is it needed? and what is its importance?
If your product or service is featured in an article and will certainly get more attention. If you’re well-targeted, you can attract new customers as well. Basically, media pitching is a ticket to inform you of a product /project.
This can make a significant difference to the success of your pitch, as your pitch letter conveys the importance of your story, along with specific details that can catch the eye of the reporter.
Difference between Media Pitches and Other Pitches
Media presentations are often confused or grouped with press releases. Although there are similarities, the two are still very different. The reason they are confused is the message behind each. Both try to convince the reader that it is worth covering the story. However, a media pitch is an outreach for journalists that outlines and shows the value of the story.
Press releases, on the other hand, provide details and data about your story.
How to write a good Media Pitch?
In order to learn how to write a media pitch, it is essential to know how to set it for success. In addition, you can take some important steps to ensure that your media sales are popular. Given below are a few pointers to consider before starting to write a perfect pitch.
- Know your audience
As with any text, you need to understand what inspires your readers. You need to put yourself in their mindset and make your pitch letter as compelling as possible. Show the benefits of the story rather than seeking benefits. Please show the value of your work.
- Common do’s and don’ts
With your audience taken into consideration, you need to set the tone and rules for your pitch letter.
Do you want to come across something interesting? Do you need to use only jargon, or do you think it is correct to use slang terms? You need to answer all these questions before you start creating a media pitch. It’s helpful to review some best practices, but always remember to adjust the rise to your liking.
- Ensure that your story is worthy of news
There is no doubt that you want to hear your story. But does it attract, shock, or entertain your readers as much as you think? You are most likely to spend a lot of time writing your pitch; you need to make sure your story is newsworthy. This is one of the most pertinent things that journalists look for when reading pitch letters.
- Target the right contacts in the media
If you want your story to reach relevant audiences, you need to target your media presentation with suitable media contacts. If your story resonates with your readers’ tastes, it’s good for you and the media.
- Give a good subject line
When you receive an email with a killer subject, you can’t help but check it, right? Ultimately, the first step to getting attention to the pitch is the subject. It must be catchy and engaging so that readers can’t go for a second without reading the content. Shock them or target their pain points. In any case, make sure it is noticed and not overlooked.
- Make the first sentence attention-grabbing
If the reader is fascinated by the subject, involve them in the first sentence. Now the reader decides if he wants to continue reading. You can ask questions, state facts, and make limited offers. It boils down to the tone of the voice and the audience’s taste.
- Proofread your pitch
We are all humans. We can make mistakes. Proofreading the pitch letter is just a safety measure to ensure there are no oversights. It can also be an opportunity to read media sales with a fresh look from the reader’s point of view.
- Have an effective follow-up
There are several possible reasons why you don’t get a reply within a few days of sending the media pitch. The journalist may have never received your email, did not check it, or was not interested. Follow-up is always a good idea, regardless of the reason. Here are some rules to help you follow up efficiently:
- Follow-up 3-7 days after sending the pitch letter
- Only one follow-up email is enough and is most preferred by journalists
- Please do not send more than 3 follow-up emails.
- Don’t go too deep, ask again if you’re interested
- Make the most of your resources
Media presentations can be improved at any time. Fortunately, there is a wealth of information online for you to peruse. You can also read the email and get inspiration there. Brands are always finding new ways to get your attention, and you can definitely learn from them too. In summary, always look for tips and tricks before writing your next media pitch.
- Match the beat of the reporter
They can have the best pitch in the world, but if it doesn’t match the reporter’s beat (the type of story they cover), it doesn’t bring them any benefit or value. It only clearly shows that you are sending a large number of email distributions and have not done proper research and legwork before opening them. It’s not always realistic or feasible, but personalize your sales as much as possible and mention related articles you wrote recently.
Elements of a media pitch
If you are new to PR pitch, you should follow the best practices available.
After completing the survey, you will usually need to review the general media marketing structure and some PR marketing characteristics.
The recommended pitch mail structure is as follows:
- Introduction / Hook: This should be very eye-catching as it is the first thing journalists read. You have to start with your right foot.
- General information about the product/project: Part 2 requires you to understand the main points. Describe your product and mention two unique things about it.
- Story: Here’s a little sentimental and gives some background on how the product was made.
- References / Links: Add hyperlinks to landing pages and other related sources.
- Photo: Present the product/project with an image.
- CTA: If you are interested in the details of a journalist, ask them to contact you.
Media pitches can be created in various ways, and PR professionals often prefer their own. Nevertheless, the basics for writing a successful pitch remain the same.
Follow the tips and examples in this post to adapt your message. With a bit of time and experimentation, you’ll see what works and what doesn’t.
Refer to this link for your free Media Pitch Template!
