As proven over time, getting your media pitch in front of the right media platforms can all help take your brand communication to the next level and help place your brand as a market leader. This type of pitch is directed at media stakeholders who have the platforms to give your company the much-needed publicity which it needs. Expectedly, the inboxes of reporters are flooded with hundreds of emails daily and so even as a PR professional, you’re still faced with the challenge of getting your pitch noticed above and over other pitches. To get the media to pay attention to your pitch, there are secrets to making your request stand out amongst the rest. Here are three ways to get your pitch noticed:
- UNDERSTAND YOUR TARGET REPORTER
Always be selective of who you send what in order to avoid the ultimate crime of generic pitches. Of course, there is no need telling that generic pitches are most easily ignored. Don’t blanket-mail all the reporters with regards to a target publication. You can, however, send out the same pitch to a few reporters at the same time; not every reporter will respond to your pitch, so it’s smart to maximize your chances of coverage. Nevertheless, to achieve some level of attention, target a specific writer with the publication who covers the subject area (their “beat” in reporter-speak) that matches up with your brand story. Additionally, always send your pitch from a credible email address; preferably from your company domain. No journalist will take you seriously if they get a mail from sexxypinky69@hotmail.com
- UNCOVER THE NEWS STORY IN YOUR BUSINESS
Find the news hook in your business and lead with it. Is something innovative about your business model? Are you creating the first of anything within your locality or changing the order of doing things in the industry. Are you arguably the youngest in your field or does your product enjoy a new level of quality than what exists in the market? Lead with that special thing. Unfortunately, Ordinary doesn’t sell anymore; if it ever did. People are most likely to give you more attention if they feel that you’re special. So look for a special thing and project it until you get the right attention. That’s how you stand out.
- SOMETIMES, CHEAT…
Okay, okay, I know what you’re thinking. This is nothing illegal actually. It’s just what any normal PR expert would do. Make a habit of building a network of journalists as friends and acquaintances. Be present at their events, be visible, be friendly, be helpful. Whatever makes you stick in their minds. Be that. It can be really stressful cold-messaging over a hundred reporters or social media influencers who may never reply you. But your friends will. A journalist who knows you or enjoys some formal or informal relationship with you would naturally feel more inclined to respond to a message from you than the one who’d see you as just another email. Build that network and learn from them. You may find a trick or two in understanding how to get their attention.
Other than media pitches, there are other ways you can give your brand more exposure. Learn how to give your brand more exposure here.