Tag Archives: pitching

Timing is Crucial in PR Pitching

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Don't pitch general stories when the news cycle is about a national incident like Sandy. I can’t agree more with this statement, “Timing is Everything.” And I found out how true that quote is first hand when I was recently faced with pitching the U.S. media before, during and after Hurricane Sandy.

The only other time that I have ever had to put my “job” on hold before was for 9/11. I mean that catastrophe affected the entire country and world. Everyone was in shock and the world stood still for those not involved in the rescue efforts.

BE MINDFUL OF THE PR NEWS CYCLE

As a publicist, I found myself in those same 9/11 shoes with Sandy. As warnings were sent to residents on the east to be prepared for the storm of the century the night of October 29 and the following day – all eyes were peeled on TV news channels and second screen devices to see how our fellow Americans were faring. Although, I had information to pitch during that time, I refrained from doing my job knowing it would be irresponsible for me to contact a reporter in any city on those particular days while they are reporting on the general news coverage of the natural disaster.

The point I am trying to make with this post is that there are just some days that you can’t do your job, and that’s okay. Would it have hurt if I sent out a general media pitch? Probably not. Would my pitch have been read during that time? Probably not. Was the news I had to communicate a top priority in the events of the world? No.

So to all those publicists in training reading this post, please be mindful of the news cycle. Refrain from general product pitches during such times as a national disaster, a Presidential election and mass shootings. By not bothering the media during these times, you’ll gain respect as opposed to the real possibility of losing face with them.

Even though the storm is over, I’m still extremely mindful when pitching some of my New York/New Jersey media colleagues. To this day, I start out each pitch wishing them the best for many of them are still not back in their offices and still trying to get their heat and power back on at home. So if pitching media in this area, be real and ask them how they are and mean it before you start selling them your wares. I promise you your goodwill will be noticed and you will stand out.

All My Best,

Cindy

 

 

RELAX INTO YOUR PR PITCH

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Huff believes relaxed teams win - that's true for PR too.

No Job Is Worth Stressing Over

Since the best PR practitioners are those who can land a major media pitch, I thought it was fitting that today’s topic was a result of a Wall St. Journal article I read this morning about the thong-wearing first baseman of the World Series San Francisco Giants Aubrey Huff.  The article did get my attention because it was about a thong-wearing MLB player, but the “undies” issue was not what sparked my interest. It was this quote he provided.

Huff said, “I never really heard of an uptight team that wins.”

Huff’s statement is true in so many regards and applicable to many professions.

You can’t argue with the fact that people do their best work when relaxed. I know I do, don’t you?

With that being said, in the public relations field it is extremely valuable when a person is pitching that the pitch should be in a cool, even tone as opposed to a fast, rapid fire, loud breathless ramble. The latter is usually conceived as one of a desperation. And that’s not good for you or the reporter or the client you are representing.

STYLE COUNTS

We’ve all been thrown pitches that we are not familiar with from time to time.  This often happens when we’re helping out a co-worker who has a giant list of calls to make, and therefore, we innocently “pitch in.”  We have been prepared with a script of what to cover and we make our calls.  And usually, on these calls, we may come across as yes “reading a script.”  This isn’t good either.

And as I’m writing this I saying to myself that I must remember this tip as well.  The best service you can provide your client/company is when you are comfortable with what you’re communicating and can do it in a relaxed manner.  Even though you may have over 100 calls to make by noon – each call needs to appear fresh, enthusiastic, unique, interesting, etc.  You need to present an up beat tone throughout the entire phone process even when you hear that dreaded beep meaning that it goes to voice mail.  If it goes to voice mail, it’s a long shot if it will be get heard – but your chances of having a reporter listen to it greatly increases if you have a vibrant, welcoming pleasant tone.

How do you do in this area? Are you relaxed when you make your best sales? Or do you sometimes let the stresses of your job pressure your performance?

I think Huff’s on to something here. This calm attitude sure worked for his team in the first game against the Texas Rangers. The Giants clobbered them 11-7.

Can you guess which team was more relaxed?

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