Not getting any media hits? Here are Melissa’s top 3 pitch tips 

Securing positive media coverage is one of the best ways to build your brand’s reputation. Achieving this will help your company to establish credibility and trust while getting your message across to a wider audience. If you’re sitting there thinking this is easier said than done, not to worry! We have just what you need to get started. Our very own Melissa Durrell, President & Chief Communications Strategist of Durrell Communications, shares her top three pitch tips with us! 

Here are three tips to successfully pitch to the media and land coverage:

Start with your story. In order to appeal to your target audience you need a story that’s strong and compelling. Reporters receive many pitches to their inbox a day, so it’s crucial that yours stands out from the crowd. When you think about your story, put yourself in the reporter’s shoes. Would they find it interesting? Does it have genuine news value? These are important things to consider as you develop your story because anything can be news but not everything is newsworthy.

Attach to national & global trends. Keep your finger on the pulse of the media. Staying up-to-date with current trends is a great opportunity to link your story to something that’s happening in the news. Start by identifying the news “hook” that you’ll use. A hook is the literary technique of creating an enticing beginning—the very first line or opening of a story—designed to capture readers’ interest. Some examples of things to align your story with include events, seasons, a crisis or a new law. Attaching your story to current trends allows you to contribute to the bigger conversations. This not only adds more value to your story but increases the likelihood of it being picked up.

Build relationships with reporters. Take the time to get to know the reporters you’ll be pitching your story to. Show interest by engaging with their articles online and connecting with them on social media. Make an effort to appreciate the work they do and remember to be authentic about it. By strengthening these relationships and establishing a rapport beforehand, you increase the chances of them publishing your story. It’s a simple step to take, but it can be very effective when done right and may even result in these reporters reaching out to you in the future. 

We hope you find these tips useful and get the positive media coverage you’ve been waiting for.

Need help creating a successful PR plan? Check out our latest blog 7 Steps for Creating a Successful PR Plan in 2021 on our website. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.