By
Glenn Ebersole
Submitted On April 16, 2008
The news media is literally inundated with pitches for media
coverage every day. Unfortunately a very large percentage, some say as
high as ninety (90) percent are useless form letters and from people who
have done absolutely no research about the media where they have sent
their pitch. Media pitches that are done with a lack of media-savvy are
real irritants and can really greatly diminish your chances of getting
the media attention you want. However, there are proven professional
ways to improve your chances with the media by being strategic in your
pitches to the media.
So what are the strategic actions you can take to improve your "pitches" to the media? The PR Doctor offers the following prescription for a healthy and strong pitch to the media.
#1: Always use an attention getting headline in the subject line of emails whenever you send your pitch electronically.
#2: Always personalize your pitch. This can include how long you have been reading or listening to the media source you are pitching. You have an opportunity to show that you are familiar with the person and their work. However, never gush on and on or be phony about this.
#3: Always tailor and customize your pitch to a specific individual. Never start of with an impersonal Dear Sir or Dear Madam.
#4: Always determine the outcome you want from your pitch before you make your pitch and then make a specific ask for what you want.
#5: Always include the "what's in it for me" (WIIFM) factor. You need to identify that you have something no one else has or some other reason why you want to share something with him or her that will be of value to them.
#6: Always keep it simple, short and sweet (KISSS). Remember the media get so many pitches each day. The media only have so much time to review them, so respect the value of their time and give them a strong concise effective pitch.
#7: Never send attachments electronically unless you are asked to do so or have received permission to send them. Attachments sent without prior authorization or permission most likely will end up in the media spam filter where they stay until emptied - and that could mean no one ever reads them.
#8: Never be a pest or a media stalker. Again, please remember that the media get so many pitches each day that they have limited time to get through all of them. If they have not responded to your pitch they are probably too busy, have not had time to review it, filed it for future reference, or they are simply not interested. This does not mean you should not do ONE follow-up contact, but remember to keep it to ONE.
#9: Do your homework and research the media you will be pitching so you have an understanding of the media coverage area, the types of stories and events they are most interested in covering, the editors, the reporters, and other characteristics of that particular media.
#10: Use your pitches to develop a rapport and a relationship over time with your media sources so they will get to know you better and so you can build up a trusting relationship with them. This will pay dividends because after you have earned their trust, your access to them and the attention they give you will be enhanced.
The PR Doctor recommends that you commit to follow this prescription so you can gain much more positive results from your pitches to the media.
So what are the strategic actions you can take to improve your "pitches" to the media? The PR Doctor offers the following prescription for a healthy and strong pitch to the media.
#1: Always use an attention getting headline in the subject line of emails whenever you send your pitch electronically.
#2: Always personalize your pitch. This can include how long you have been reading or listening to the media source you are pitching. You have an opportunity to show that you are familiar with the person and their work. However, never gush on and on or be phony about this.
#3: Always tailor and customize your pitch to a specific individual. Never start of with an impersonal Dear Sir or Dear Madam.
#4: Always determine the outcome you want from your pitch before you make your pitch and then make a specific ask for what you want.
#5: Always include the "what's in it for me" (WIIFM) factor. You need to identify that you have something no one else has or some other reason why you want to share something with him or her that will be of value to them.
#6: Always keep it simple, short and sweet (KISSS). Remember the media get so many pitches each day. The media only have so much time to review them, so respect the value of their time and give them a strong concise effective pitch.
#7: Never send attachments electronically unless you are asked to do so or have received permission to send them. Attachments sent without prior authorization or permission most likely will end up in the media spam filter where they stay until emptied - and that could mean no one ever reads them.
#8: Never be a pest or a media stalker. Again, please remember that the media get so many pitches each day that they have limited time to get through all of them. If they have not responded to your pitch they are probably too busy, have not had time to review it, filed it for future reference, or they are simply not interested. This does not mean you should not do ONE follow-up contact, but remember to keep it to ONE.
#9: Do your homework and research the media you will be pitching so you have an understanding of the media coverage area, the types of stories and events they are most interested in covering, the editors, the reporters, and other characteristics of that particular media.
#10: Use your pitches to develop a rapport and a relationship over time with your media sources so they will get to know you better and so you can build up a trusting relationship with them. This will pay dividends because after you have earned their trust, your access to them and the attention they give you will be enhanced.
The PR Doctor recommends that you commit to follow this prescription so you can gain much more positive results from your pitches to the media.
Glenn Ebersole, Jr. is a multi-faceted professional, who is
recognized as a visionary, guide and facilitator in the fields of
business coaching, marketing, public relations, management, strategic
planning and engineering. Glenn is the Founder and Chief Executive of
two Lancaster, PA based consulting practices: The Renaissance Group, a
creative marketing, public relations, strategic planning and business
development consulting firm and J. G. Ebersole Associates, an
independent professional engineering, marketing, and management
consulting firm. He is a Certified Facilitator and serves as a business
coach and a strategic planning facilitator and consultant to a diverse
list of clients. Glenn is also the author of a monthly newsletter,
"Glenn's Guiding Lines - Thoughts From Your Strategic Thinking Business
Coach" and has published more than 345 articles on business.
To find out more about the benefits & rewards of effectively working with a strategic thinking business coach, please contact Glenn Ebersole through his web site at http://www.businesscoach4u.com or jgecoach@aol.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glenn_Ebersole
To find out more about the benefits & rewards of effectively working with a strategic thinking business coach, please contact Glenn Ebersole through his web site at http://www.businesscoach4u.com or jgecoach@aol.com
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