BlogPaws 2013. After Tragedy Strikes Resources

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Contact Robin: info@coveredincathair.com

twitter: RobinAFOlson

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CoveredinCatHair

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KittenAssociates

twitter: https://twitter.com/KittenAssociate

Check out our Kitten Associates LIVE KITTY CAM: http://dropc.am/p/Knb06B

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Learn more about my non-profit cat rescue group in Sandy Hook, CT: Kitten Associates

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Other Groups in Newtown, CT

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How to Write a Press Release

http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Press-Release

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Mary Shafer, The Word Forge

---Helped create the Kitties for Kids Press Release

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How to Pitch the Press

You'll often hear book publicists talk about "pitching" a story to the press. But how do you actually do it when you want to take advantage of an opportunity - or want to create one? "Pitching" is like "selling" - when someone says they're going to pitch a story to a reporter, they mean that they're going to try to sell the reporter on the idea. It's easy to do when you know the basics:

• Offer a great idea. Your story or segment idea must be relevant to the media outlet and its audience. You wouldn't pitch a "saving for retirement" idea to Seventeen Magazine, for example.

• Pitch the right journalist. Study the media outlet to find the best fit for your idea, then do a little research to learn who is responsible for that section or program.

• Explain the idea clearly and compellingly. In the "pitch letter" you send by e-mail, offer a brief description of the article or segment idea.

• Detail why readers or viewers need the information. After the overview description, make it clear why people will be interested. Does it address a common problem? Will it entertain, educate, or inform? Will it change opinions or perspectives? And why is any of this important?

• Explain why you're an excellent resource for the piece. Why should the reporter talk to you about this - what do you bring to the topic?

• Describe relevant visuals for TV. If you're pitching a TV news or talk show, describe visuals that can help bring the idea to life.

• Offer additional resources. It could be links to background information, statistics, or other people to interview to round out the story.

• State the next steps. Will you follow-up, or will you leave it to the reporter to contact you if interested?

You might pitch an angle on a topic that's currently making headlines, respond to a general query coming from a source such as HARO or pitch an idea that you know is relevant and important. Whatever the reason for your pitch, include enough information for the journalist to decide if it's a good fit for that media outlet.

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