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Pitching a story to journalists

A news conference may not be the best approach to get a story publicized. It may be just as effective to pitch your story (your event and its broader implications) to selected journalists.

Pitching a story to a reporter, editor or producer is not difficult if you plan it wisely and follow some important guidelines. The key to opening the door is known as a pitch letter. View a sample pitch letter »

Here are some tips for writing a good pitch letter:

1. Make it short — no more than one or two pages. Journalists want to get the gist of the idea with a quick scan of your letter.
2. Provide compelling reasons why your story warrants an article.
3. Make it interesting and unique. Grab the reader’s attention in the first paragraph and find a creative angle to make your story stand out.
4. Cover all the bases. Journalists appreciate it when you lay out the story for them. Include background material (e.g., fliers, brochures, etc.) and a press release.
5. For television, emphasize the visual appeal of your event(s). This is the medium of pictures, not words.

 

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