Last week, we had the pleasure of partnering with Media Stable’s #MeetTheMedia event in Adelaide, where leading journalists from Nine News, The Advertiser, 7 News, News Corp Australia, FIVEAA shared their advice for media pitching.
We collated their best tips into this handy list, curated to help you build better relationships with journos and get more media coverage. Here’s what we learned.
1. Make It Clear
Start your pitch with a clear and concise introduction. Clearly state who the talent is, what the key message is, and what you are offering. Ensuring your main points are easy to understand will make your pitch more effective, and increase the likelihood your story gets picked up.
2. Highlight the Talent
Identify who the talent is in your pitch. This could be an expert, a spokesperson, or a notable figure related to your story. Providing background information about the talent can make your pitch more appealing to journalists.
3. Provide Suggested Questions
Offering suggested questions can help guide the media outlet. This assists journalists and producers in understanding the direction of the story and how to frame their coverage.
4. Use Bullet Points
Bullet points make your information easy to digest. List out the main points, benefits, and key facts succinctly to ensure your message is clear and straightforward.
5. Be Clear About What You Have to Offer
Outline what you have to offer clearly. This includes the content, interviews, exclusive stories, data, or insights that the media outlet can use. Clarity in what you’re offering is crucial.
6. Include Clear Figures and Facts
Data is persuasive. Provide clear figures and facts to support your story. Numbers can validate your claims and make your story more trustworthy and engaging.
7. Offer an Actionable Takeaway
Ensure your story has an actionable takeaway. This gives the audience something to think about or act on after consuming the content, making your story more impactful.
8. Tell the Story
Every pitch should tell a story. Bring the topic to life with a compelling narrative. Incorporating a case study or real-life example can make the story more relatable and interesting.
9. Email the Chief of Staff First
Start by emailing the chief of staff. They are usually the gatekeepers and can direct your pitch to the right people, increasing your chances of success.
10. Tailor Content for Different Media Types
TV: Focus on visual elements. Provide pictures and B-roll footage to make your story more appealing to TV producers.
Radio: Ensure you have good talent that sounds engaging and can deliver your message effectively.
Online: Provide a full spectrum of digital content, including videos, images, and social media content.
Print: Strong local stories are key. Emphasise the relevance and impact of your story on the local community.
11. Always Have Your Talent Ready and Available
Ensure that your talent is ready and available for interviews and appearances. This increases the chances of your pitch being picked up.
12. Craft a Compelling Subject Line
Your email subject line should clearly state what it’s about. Use phrases like "Interview Opportunity," "Chat Topic," or "Expert Commentary" to grab attention.
13. Personalise Your Outreach
Send your pitches directly to the person you’re targeting and use their name. Personalisation increases the chances of your email being read and engaged with.
Bonus Streem Tip!
Unlock a global network of over 1 million contacts with our Media Outreach tool. Find the ideal journalists, media outlets, and influencers from around the world for your pitches and press releases. Outreach includes our ‘Pitches’ genAI workflow, built with original research, it employs the most effective cold-contacting strategies to help you create the perfect personalised pitch every time.
By following these tips, you can enhance your media outreach efforts and increase the likelihood of your stories being covered (and build lasting relationships with journos in the process). Happy pitching!