Don't Get Lost in the Shuffle

Have a pitch or a press release but don’t know who to reach out to or how to make sure it gets covered? Though we often know what to pitch, we are left with this lingering question. Faced with this problem myself, I created my own list of tips based on an article by PR Daily. Follow these tips to make sure your pitch doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.

Bright and Early: Between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. is the best time to send pitches to journalists. Not only will yours most likely be one of the first emails they see when they open their inbox in the morning, but it will also ensure that their newspaper or air-time spots won’t be filled by the time they read your pitch. Sending pitches in the morning also allows for your press release or pitch to be discussed at morning editorial meetings, increasing your chance of getting covered sooner rather than later.

Tuesday is the New Monday: If you send a pitch email on a Monday morning, chances are it will get lost in the shuffle of weekend emails. What isn’t breaking news, most journalists will leave in their inbox until Monday morning. By waiting until Tuesday, your pitch has a greater chance of being read and getting covered.

Build Mutually Beneficial Relationships: Build relationships with the people you are pitching to. If you have a pitch that is either time-sensitive or not as news-worthy, these reporters that you have either helped in the past or befriended are more likely to cover your story. If you’re pitching to one reporter frequently, you can also ask them when they personally prefer receiving pitches.

Cover All of Your Bases: It never hurts to pitch to more than one contact. By sending your pitches and press releases to both reporters and the news desk, if the reporter is busy covering another story, the editor might assign your story to another reporter who isn’t!

Do you have any of your own tips about when and how you think is best to pitch to journalists? Let us know! 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Rute Barkai

Are You Using The Internet To Its Full Extent?

Today, the Internet is one of the most helpful tools a publicist can use.  Recently I heard from a few speakers a few websites that seemed like must-knows for a public relations specialist.  While we are all Facebook, Twitter and Instagram experts, here are some other websites that will be helpful to you and your public relations career:

1.  HelpAReporter.com - HelpAReporter.com, or HARO, can offer you that extra story you did not know you could have had.  HARO is a free website that emails you three times a day with publicity alerts from journalists looking for article assistance from publicists. HARO is partnered with some of the top journalists in the country, such as ABC.  Also, it allows you to make connections with even more journalists than before!
2. SeekOrShout.com - SeekOrShout.com helps you create and promote new content.  The ‘seek’ feature lets you search editorial news from all over the web.  After you find what you are seeking, you can ask the SeekOrShout community for its help with your search by requesting an interview, product review or helpful document.  The ‘shout’ option allows you to promote or announce new content.  People who follow you or who follow the topics you tag, will be able to see the post and use it themselves.  This website is a great way to help you with a blog post, find someone to help you promote your new product, and promote your new content.
3. PitchEngine.com – PitchEngine is the sleekest way to release your press releases.  They claim that, “It combines the readability of a magazine with the immersive experience of an app.”  It allows people to interact with your press release and also share it with others.  It automatically formats your press releases for viewing on any smart phone.  PitchEngine also allows you to leverage your release, reach more networks make it more searchable and even tracks your release and lets you see where it is being published.  The basic package of PitchEngine is free, however there are other packages with more features that will cost you a bit more.

Also, do not forget to follow websites that are specialized to the field you are working.  You never know where there is an extra story you can find!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Jackie Grillo.

Media Pitching 101

Media pitching is a critical part of a PR professional's career. Becoming a pitching expert, however, is not easy. The reality is that we are competing in a crowded marketplace, and won't always be playing with a winning hand. The best way to become successful at pitching is to recognize your boundaries, develop best practices and solid relationships, and never give up. 

Here are some tips for creating successful media pitches:

Creating Content

• Tie Into Media Agenda
• Link To Trends 
• Exploit Pop Culture
• Use A Holiday Angle
• Make It Unique

Make The Pitch

• Reference Earlier Work 
• Find A Connection
• Make it Personal 

Follow Up

• Email First, Then Call
• Never Say "Did You Get It?"

Do you have any tips to make your pitch stand out? We want to know!