9 ways to avoid pitching reporters a ‘turkey’
You might be dreaming of a delicious bird with a side of mashed potatoes and stuffing you’ll soon eat, but don’t extend the meal to your media relations efforts. Instead, follow these tips.
With that theme in mind, how can you make sure your next media pitch isn’t a “turkey?”
Here are some tips to follow:
1. Send it to the right reporter.
One of the first steps in successful media pitching is selecting the right reporter(s) for your pitch. If you don’t research this appropriately, the rest of your work may be for naught.
Seventy-nine percent of reporters surveyed said they wish PR pros would spend more time choosing the right journalists and crafting pitches with their beats in mind. You can do your own research online or use a media database, if you have access to one.
2. Tie it to a trend. To make your pitch stand out, try tying your news to a trend. Use key words and phrases in your research that relate to your topic to unearth trends that may be a fit.
3. Cite the data. It’s no secret that reporters love data. If you don’t have your own research to cite, use someone else’s.
Again, research comes into play here. Do your homework to find relevant data to support your claims.
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.
