You've just crafted the perfect product and are anxious to share it with the world.
But first, you need to pitch the media. This can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. In this guide to PR pitching, we will teach you how to write a media pitch that will catch the attention of journalists.
We will also provide five examples of PR pitches you can use as a template. And lastly, we will introduce AI email assistant MailMaestro – a better way to pitch the media faster.
What is a media pitch?
Let's start with a media pitch definition. A media pitch is a brief summary of your product or idea that you send to journalists in the hopes of getting press coverage. Your pitch should be no longer than one paragraph and include all the necessary details about your story.
You might be wondering, why bother pitching the media at all? Can't I just post my story on my website or blog? The answer is yes; you can post your story on your own platform.
In order to reach a larger audience, however, you must get the media involved. Think about it this way - when was the last time you read an article because someone shared it on social media? Now think about how often you read an article because it was in the news.
The news has a much larger reach than social media, so pitching the media is so important.
Media pitch vs Press release
There are some significant differences between a media pitch and a press release.
What is a media pitch?
A media pitch is an email or phone call to a journalist in which you attempt to interest them in what your business has to offer and persuade them to write about it.
What is a press release?
A press release email is a formal announcement that is sent to the media. It's usually used to announce something like a new product, an event, or some other newsworthy item.
How do you pitch a PR idea?
Pitching a PR or public relations idea is not as difficult as it may seem. In fact, with a little bit of practice, pitching PR ideas can be pretty straightforward. Here are a few tips:
- Do your research: make sure you know whom you're pitching to and what kind of story they're likely interested in.
- Keep it short and sweet: journalists are busy people, so get to the point quickly and don't ramble on.
- Make it newsworthy: remember that you're trying to interest the journalist in writing about your business, so make sure what you're pitching is actually newsworthy!
- Be prepared to follow up: if you don't hear back from the journalist immediately, don't give up – follow up with a polite email or phone call.
Pitching PR ideas doesn't have to be complicated – with some practice, you'll be a pro in no time! Just remember to do your research, keep it newsworthy, and be prepared to follow up, and you'll be sure to make a great impression.
How to write a media pitch?
A good PR pitch should grab a journalist's attention within the first sentence. It should be clear, concise, and to the point, providing all the essential information about your story in one go.
Let's cover the basics of what you need to include in your media pitch.
Writing a good PR pitch
When constructing your media pitch, always remember what journalists are looking for – a newsworthy story that will interest their readership, viewers, or listeners.
How do you start a media pitch?
When starting your media pitch, always address the journalist by their name, if you can find it. If not, use "Dear Editor" or "To Whom It May Concern."
Then, get straight to the point. Start with a sentence that will grab their attention and make them want to read on. For example:
- Are you looking for a heart-warming human interest story?
- Are you interested in the latest research on the effects of social media on teenagers?
- Would you like to hear about a new and innovative way to manage your time?
The key is ensuring your pitch is relevant to what the journalist covers. No one wants to read an angle that's not relevant to their interests.
Next, give a brief overview of what you're offering. This is where you give the journalist all the vital information about your story. For example:
- I am a researcher at XYZ University, and I have conducted a study on the effects of social media on teenagers.
- I am the founder of ABC Company, and we have developed a new time management app.
Finally, please explain why this story is important and why the journalist's readers will benefit from reading it. For example:
- This study provides valuable insights into the effects of social media on teenagers that can help parents better understand how to monitor their children's online activity.
- This new time management app will help the journalist's readers save time and be more productive.
If you can provide data or statistics to back up your claims, this will make your pitch even more compelling. For example:
- The study found that social media use was linked to increased anxiety and depression in teenagers.
- Time-management apps can help people save an average of 15 minutes per day.
You can also mention any relevant awards or recognition your company has received. For example:
- MailMaestro was named one of the Best New Apps by Apple.
- The app has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company.
Putting this information in your pitch will help you stand out from the hundreds of other companies vying for media attention.
What should a media pitch include?
Your media pitch needs to get to the point as fast as possible and answer the following questions:
- Who or what is your story about?
- What happened?
- When did it happen?
- Where did it happen?
- Why is it newsworthy?
- What are the human interest angles?
- What are the consequences?
- How will readers, viewers, or listeners benefit from reading or hearing about your story?
Your pitch should also include a call to action. For example, you might invite a journalist to interview your CEO or attend your company's launch event.
How to email a PR pitch
Emailing a PR pitch is probably the most common way to get in touch with a journalist. Your email should have a clear subject line that summarizes your story. For example, "Launch of new vegan skincare range" or "Interview opportunity with an expert on AI".
In the body of your email, start with a sentence that will grab the journalist's attention and make them want to read. For example, "Vegan skincare is one of the fastest-growing markets in the UK."
Then, explain why your story is newsworthy and how it will interest their audience. If you have any quotes from experts or data to back up your story, include these here.
Finally, provide your contact details and let them know how they can get in touch with you.If you're pitching to a journalist who covers multiple topics, it's crucial to make it clear why your story is relevant to them. For example, "As someone who writes about both skincare and veganism, I think my story would be of interest to your readers."
Remember that you don't have to do everything yourself. Network and experience is crucial for success in PR, thus freelancers or promoting agencies can help you out a lot.
When pitching a story to the media, it's important to remember that you're trying to sell them an idea. You must ensure that your pitch is newsworthy and relevant to their audience. If you can do this, you're more likely to capture their attention and get your story published.
PR pitch subject line examples
Your pitch subject line is important because it's the first thing a journalist will see when they receive your email. If your subject line is not interesting or relevant, they may delete your email without reading it. Here are some examples of good pitch subject lines:
- A new study shows that [insert topic] is linked to [insert health condition]
- Local woman turns her hobby into a successful business
- [Insert number] ways to make your home more sustainable
- New product helps people with [insert condition] get a good night's sleep
- How to make the perfect [insert dish]
5 media pitch examples
Now that we've covered the basics of what goes into a media pitch let's look at five examples of different types of media pitches. These can be used as templates for your pitches or simply as inspiration.
1. Media pitch example
This fundamental pitch template can be used for pretty much any product or service. You'll notice that it doesn't include too much information about the product or service itself. That's because you want to allow the journalist or influencer to ask questions and get more information from you.
2. Press release pitch email example
The second example template we'll cover is the press release pitch. This type of email is perfect when you have newsworthy content you want to get in front of journalists and bloggers.
3. Sample email pitch to a journalist
Remember, when pitching to a journalist, it's important that you keep it short – so get to the point quickly. Write a catchy subject line, personalize the mail using the journalist's name and other relavant information, and explain why your story is newsworthy and relevant to their audience.
Don't forget to include all the necessary information: your email pitch should answer the questions who, what, when, where, and why.
4. PR pitch example
PR pitches are not one size fits all, so take the time to personalize each one. This example is for a product launch.
5. Blogger pitch email example
Bloggers are a little different than journalists in that they often cover a specific niche. When pitching a product to a blogger, you must show that you understand their blog and audience.
Bonus 7 PR Outreach Email Templates - Ready To Use
Email templates for PR outreach are a critical tool for businesses, influencers, and marketers alike. They help solve the common pain-points of not knowing how to structure an email, how to engage recipients effectively, and how to follow up professionally.
These templates are designed to simplify the process of reaching out to journalists, promoting a brand or product, or drumming up buzz for a new initiative. They provide a structured, tried-and-tested framework that can be personalized to suit your specific needs., but make sure to also make a really good first impression to earn your recipients' trust and confidence when you reach out to them.
Most importantly, these templates save you time and effort, allowing you to focus more on your actual PR strategy. They also ensure your emails are consistent and professional, increasing your chances of getting a positive response.
Template 1: The Reminder
This template is for when you haven’t received a response even after a follow-up. It serves as a gentle nudge to remind the recipient about your outreach.
Email Template
Subject Line: A Quick Reminder About [Your Brand Name]'s Collaboration Opportunity
Hi [Recipient's Name],
I hope you are doing well. I just wanted to send a quick reminder about the potential collaboration opportunity with [Your Brand Name].
I understand you might be busy, so feel free to let me know a good time to discuss this further.
Best,
[Your Name]
Template 2: The Update
This template is for sharing exciting updates about your brand or product that might interest the recipient and encourage them to collaborate.
Email Template
Subject Line: Exciting Updates from [Your Brand Name]
Hi [Recipient's Name],
I hope this email finds you well. We at [Your Brand Name] have some exciting updates that we think you'll be interested in.
[Share the exciting updates]
Looking forward to discussing these updates and potential collaboration opportunities with you.
Best,
[Your Name]
Template 3: The Offer
This template is for when you are ready to make a specific offer to the recipient. It's designed to convey the value the recipient will get from the collaboration.
Email Template
Subject Line: Exclusive Offer from [Your Brand Name]
Hi [Recipient's Name],
[Your Brand Name] is excited to extend an exclusive offer to collaborate with us.
[Detail the offer and its benefits]
I look forward to discussing this exciting opportunity with you further.
Best,
[Your Name]
Template 4: The Invitation
This template is ideal for inviting the recipient to an event or meeting where you can discuss potential collaborations in person.
Email Template
Subject Line: Invitation to [Event Name] from [Your Brand Name]
Hi [Recipient's Name],
We would like to invite you to [Event Details]. It would be a great opportunity to discuss potential collaborations and learn more about each other.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Best,
[Your Name]
Template 5: The Appreciation
This template is for showing appreciation to the recipient for their time and consideration, irrespective of their decision to collaborate.
Email Template
Subject Line: Thank You from [Your Brand Name]
Hi [Recipient's Name],
We at [Your Brand Name] would like to thank you for considering our collaboration proposal. We appreciate your time and effort.
Best,
[Your Name]
Template 6: The Closure
This template is for when the recipient has decided not to collaborate. It ensures the conversation ends on a positive note, leaving the door open for future opportunities.
Email Template
Subject Line: Wishing You the Best from [Your Brand Name]
Hi [Recipient's Name],
We understand and respect your decision. We want to express our gratitude for considering our proposal, and we hope there might be potential for collaboration in the future.
Best,
[Your Name]
Template 7: The Celebration
This template is for when a collaboration has been agreed upon. It's designed to express excitement and appreciation for the upcoming collaboration.
Email Template
Subject Line: Excited to Collaborate with [Recipient's Name]
Hi [Recipient's Name],
We're thrilled to be collaborating with you! We believe this partnership will be mutually beneficial and we're excited to see what we can achieve together.
Best,
[Your Name]
PR pitch email template by MailMaestro
While the above templates are useful, they don't compare to the power of MailMaestro. An AI writing assistant that supercharges your daily communications, MailMaestro allows you to turn short instructions into ready-to-send emails and messages.
With MailMaestro, you can create a beautiful pitch in minutes without worrying about formatting or spelling. You can even use it to write your next media pitch using MailMaestro's AI-powered email templates that automatically adjust to the situation.
Conclusion
Basic email templates are all well and good, but if you want to take your pitches to the next level, you need MailMaestro.
With its AI-powered email templates, MailMaestro can help you create beautiful, engaging pitches that are sure to capture attention. And because MailMaestro automatically adjusts to the situation, you can be confident that your pitch will always be on point.
So why wait? Write your next media pitch with MailMaestro.
