1. Be picky
Only pitch your very best stories. They need to be substantial with specifics and supporting data. A great, truly newsworthy story won’t require a hard sell.
2. Make it personal
Start with relationships. Get to know reporters and editors and understand what they each need and want. Tailor and personalize your pitch to every individual. If your story fits their publication and readership it will be smooth sailing.
3. Think it through
Find and focus on an angle each editor will care about. Perhaps you can suggest a new dimension to a topic he or she has covered in the past, or find a way to add context to your story by linking it to a hot topic or industry trend that affects more readers.
4. Make it brief
Get to the point in the first sentence of a written pitch. Grab them and quickly explain what you have in mind and why they should care.
5. Don’t waste their time
Editors want content, not fancy formatting or cutesy promotions. Give them everything they need, including images, and make it simple to access and open. Most journalists hate attachments, so don’t use them.
For a user-friendly PR pitch template, download BDN’s exclusive Aerospace & Defense PR Toolkit. You’ll also find insider tips, checklists, infographics, and so much more! Everything you need for better media coverage is just a click away.