Pitching an article to media can be tricky. No matter how great your article may be, it will never get picked up if you don’t have a solid pitch to support it. And the key to a great pitch lies in knowing your audience. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Is my pitch relevant to the publication I’m targeting? Make sure your article is in line – both tonally and topically – with the media outlet you’re approaching. Pitching an article about the real estate market to a magazine that caters to litigators is a waste of your time, and will make you look lazy and unprofessional. If your pitch is on target, you stand a much better chance of actually building a relationship with that website or publication, even if they pass on your current pitch
- Does my pitch offer exclusive information or a unique perspective on a hot topic? You want to offer something new, not a straightforward rehash of a story that everyone has already heard. Establishing the credibility of your facts and experts is important, but so is clearly identifying the angle that will make your article stand out.
- Have I delivered my pitch in a way that is both concise and respectful? It may be tempting to pitch your article again and again if you don’t hear back, but doing so is a sure way to alienate your media contacts! Instead, create a clear, concise and intriguing pitch and send it via a brief email or direct message on social media. If you’ve done your job, your pitch will stand out – no need for repeated attempts.
