Pitch an Online Reporter
Pitching Tips
If you’re about to pitch me, I have five guidelines for you (plus one for luck):
- Know what I write about
- Know where I live
- Remember my name
- Write to me personally
- Use the ‘to’ field in your email
- Bonus: Get to know me first
#1: Know what I write about
I write about social media, communications and marketing. If your pitch isn’t about one of those topics, you should refine your target list.
#2: Know where I live
I live in Toronto. If your event is in San Francisco and you’re not planning to fly me down there, I’m not likely to be interested. If it’s in Toronto, however, you’re on the mark.
#3: Remember my name
It’s in the URL of the blog and at the top of every page. It’s Dave Fleet. Not “Dear Blogger” or “Dear Sir/Madam.” Thanks!
#4: Write to me personally
I’m a person. I appreciate a personal email that acknowledges why the pitch is relevant to me, breaks the ice and shows that I’m not just another email address on a list. I don’t mind if you copy a press release at the bottom of the email, or provide me with a link. If that’s all you send me, though, I’m not reading past the headline.
#5: Use the ‘to’ field in your email
Simply put, if you ‘bcc’ me on an email it’s game over. Odds are that if you follow the other guidelines above, you won’t do this.
#6: Bonus: Get to know me first
I’m more likely to read your email if I already know you. It doesn’t guarantee that I’ll write about your topic – especially if you don’t follow the other guidelines here – but the odds go up substantially. I’m not hard to find – try here.
Who Is Dave Fleet?
Dave Fleet is a communications professional with a passion for social media, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Dave has worked in marketing and communications for major corporations and public sector organisations including Hitachi Europe, Lloyds TSB and the Ontario government but nowadays works on the agency side, as a Senior Consultant for Thornley Fallis Communications.
You can find out more about Dave’s professional background on LinkedIn, follow his ups and downs on Twitter, and see what he’s reading on del.icio.us.
What’s This Site About?
DaveFleet.com is about communications, public relations, marketing and social media, and the areas where those topics intersect. For reasons of integrity (and job security) I try to avoid topics directly related to my work as much as possible.
Susan note: Wonderful tips and advice offered from Dave Fleet, Follow his tips and you are on your way to pitching the proper way.
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