In addition to writing for this blog, I also write for New York Enterprise Report’s Blog and Blogcritics.org. Blogcritics is an online magazine, affiliated with Technorati, which has product and entertainment reviews, news coverage and opinions.
As a reporter for Blogcritics, I get dozens and dozens of press releases every day. When I first started, I tried to read every release to see if the product, television show, Broadway show or movie, struck a cord. But I was getting inundated with emails. Most of the time, I deleted the emails, but sometimes when I needed story ideas, I would pour through the emails and read them.
I used to hear reporters complain about how PR people wrote and it would make me angry. Now, I understand what they are saying! Most of these pitches are so long, so badly written and so boring! I’m not intrigued at all. And yet, it makes me think about traditional reporters and what would pique their interest.
With the introduction of Twitter, reporters and bloggers are now looking for a pitch in 140 characters or less. I know if something catches my attention, I will go to the link for more information.
Remember, traditional and online reporters are busy and have very little time to review your materials. Therefore, try the following tips to get your product or service reviewed:
- Keep the information succinct and clear.
- Use the 140 Character Rule.
- Add a link. If a reporter is interested, he/she will click on the link and get more information.
- Think of something that will capture the editor or reporter’s attention.
- Use active words to paint a picture.
- A pitch could be a question, statement or quotation.
- Change it up. Don’t always use the same style pitch for every product or service you represent.
- Remember that dozens or maybe even hundreds of pitches are coming across someone’s email every day, don’t just send the information once. Follow up with subsequent pitches that are creative and clever, but are not the same pitch that you started with.
Now that I have been on both sides of the fence, I understand where reporters and editors are coming from. Make sure that your material is clear and easy to read. Don’t leave room for questions and keep thinking Tweet, Tweet, Tweet…
