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Media pitching advice from the media
By Editor on Feb 20, 2007 in mediarelations
“Read the magazine, and send us a relevant idea, supported by key facts and no waffle”
- an advice to all those pitching to the media, summed up Stuart Bruce of a pitch guideline from Real Business magazine. Works well for all PR folks across the globe I guess and in India too. This is one post I couldn’t resist linking to.
The rules mentioned in a snippet are as follows:
- Don’t be afraid to admit you’ve run into difficulties. Conflict is interesting.
- Tell us what makes your company UNIQUE. Make it crystal clear why we should write about you and not your competitors.
- Write your email as if you’re talking to a six-year-old, or your gran. Don’t talk about ‘value-added systems integration management solutions specialists’. Say: ‘we sell software’.
- Do give us numbers. Turnover, profit, number of employees, years in operation. They’re the only way to prove that you’re as successful as you say you are.
- Tell us what bit of the mag you think your story would work for.
- Don’t send us press releases every day or every week.
On Feb 21, 2007, Sonia said:
Thanks for the tips. Some of it were new & would surely explore them. However one or two of them like telling them what’s unique & explaning to the publication in the informal way at times backfires! Ne ways…. will keep trying!
On Feb 21, 2007, hobbithob said:
Hi Sonia, thanks for yr comments. You are saying the media sometimes don’t like us telling what is unique about our clients? Hmmm…
On Feb 21, 2007, bella said:
Hi HH,
I totally agree with these points that are what journalists look for. I have experienced this, journalists asking why do u think I should write about it, or let me know the turnover I will decide my self if its as big as you are portraying it.
And its always better if you tell which part of the magazine can accommodate ur story, it also makes a good impression on the journo.
Keep up the good work.
Cheers!
Bella
On Feb 21, 2007, hobbithob said:
Good points, Bella. Another viewpoint could be that the client might have some restrictions sharing such facts and figures. They can turn around and say- why is the agency for? A similar situation like you mentioned in one of your earlier comment.