Writing Wednesday

Wednesday is the day I share what I have learned on my writing journey and on to publication, marketing and publishing again. If you have any questions please feel free to leave them in the comments and I will do my best to answer them. If you have any tips please share them with us in the comments…

More on Marketing/ Media Pitches

You’ve written the book, the proposal, the query, the synopsis, the marketing plan and yes, there is more. The media pitch or one sheet it what is used to try to entice a newspaper or magazine editor to write a feature, a TV producer to do a segment or a radio producer to do an interview with you.

The first and most important thing you must remember is the editors and producers have no interest in your book or blog. Their only interest is their audience. With that in mind you will need to come up with a story idea that would be of interest to that media outlets entire audience.

Through researching and writing your book or blog what is the common theme? Have you become an expert on that topic? Perhaps you write book reviews on your blog. Have you considered pitching a summer reading list segment or article? Perhaps you write a blog on disabilities. Have you considered pitching a list of tips on traveling with a disability? My first book was the true story of my brother’s random road rage murder. I sadly learned everything there is to learn about road rage and consider myself an expert. I pitch tips on not becoming a victim of road rage and also tips on not becoming full of rage as a driver.  My second book is the true story of a homeless woman that my husband brought home one night and she stayed with us for nearly three years. I am now an expert on homelessness. The possibilities of ideas for stories to pitch are endless. You are a writer, of course you can come up with a few.

Remember; the buzz about you and your book should never come from you. The journalist and radio or TV hosts will mention your book and how to get it at the end of the article/interview. With the buzz coming from them, you and your book will gain immediate credibility.

At first, think small and local. Look up the websites for your local newspapers, TV and radio stations and look for their story idea or pitch submission guidelines. It may not be that easy to find but it is there.

Do the research on the media outlets you want to pitch. Read the paper, listen to the radio shows and watch the TV shows you are intending to pitch. Make sure they cover the kind of story you are pitching.

The best way to pitch the media is on the outlets website or by e-mail. It is a good idea to follow them on social media but don’t pitch them there.

The Pitch:

The date

Try to address it to a specific editor/producer/show etc…

Don’t be over formal.

You will probably have three sentences to grab their attention so start with your elevator pitch.

Add your story idea. Show them don’t tell them J you want them to visualize the segment. Relate the story to their audience.

Use bullet points to add 5 or 6 talking points/ suggestions

Next add why you are the best person for the interview adding your book/blog title and a brief synopsis.

A short bio and contact information.

Keep it short, concise and simple, no fluff. One page is sufficient.

Good luck!

Happy Pitching and Writing,

Doreen

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