9 Journalists-Approved Tips for Pitching to the Media

Discover what journalists like in media pitches Sending a perfect media pitch can feel like a balancing act. Structure and timing are everything. To avoid becoming a mere drop in an ocean of emails, here are nine media pitching tips directly from journalists, according to PR software Muck Rack’s research.

1. Avoid Mass Emails: A large percentage of communicators and journalists agree that keeping pitches personal encourages a response.

2. Best Pitch Medium: Professional personalized emails are the way to go. Although communicating via social media has its pros, avoid sending media pitches on these platforms. Direct phone calls are also not a preferred approach.

3. When to Pitch: Although some journalists claim to have no preference, pitching at the beginning of the work week is a safe bet. Reaching out early reduces the risk of being overlooked in the inbox.

4. Getting Specific: Monday or Tuesday?: Although the quality of the pitch should be your main focus, the sooner you can pitch it, the better. Some communicators claim that submitting your pitch on Tuesdays will stand out and prevent it from getting lost in the weekend overflow.

5. What Time to Pitch: Morning pitches are highly favored among journalists. Evening pitches are an unpopular preference.

6. The Perfect Length Pitch: Deciding the right length for your media pitch can be a challenge. It’s best not to be too long or too short. Although there is debate among journalists regarding appropriate pitch length, the majority agree that two to three paragraphs are perfect.

7. Planned Pitch Length: Keep in mind that if all goes according to plan, there will be a chance to share more information down the line. Use informative links when applicable to keep pitches concise. The goal is to customize without being excessive.

8. Following Up: One well-timed follow-up is entirely acceptable. Many journalists agree that no response to said follow-up might indicate disinterest.

9. The Waiting Game: If you opt to follow-up, be sure it is within the first week. However, don’t be too pushy. More than half of journalists find 3 to 7 days after the initial pitch to be ideal.

As you can see, personalization and precision are key when it comes to making a good impression with journalists. Being thoughtful, timely, and attentive with media pitches makes all the difference. For a more detailed breakdown, check out the original post, Nine Media Pitching Tips Directly From Journalists, which originally appeared on Spin Sucks by Muck Rack’s Editor of Publications and Research Justin Joffe.