Pitching – best practices

Pitching is a difficult and yet crucial part of getting your messages

into the media.

Here is a brief list of best practices for you to take forward.

 In the beginning, it is good to show right away that you are

familiar with the correct person to contact, the different sections of
their publication and how your story may fit in where. You need to
initially show them that you are not spamming them, but that you
have taken the time to research why your story may be
complementary to their publication.

 After you have made the initial introduction you want to set up
the story as quickly as possible. You want to explain to people the
context and why it is important in a broad way.

 After you have set up the story, you would then want to move
into your “newsy hook”. This is what makes your story timely. This is
why the media entity should be running the story as soon as possible.
It also should also give details, such as the number of people
involved. It also puts a person into your story, for example, a
character like Bricks Mokolo, that your readers can relate to.

 This is the time to give your story some colour and perhaps
reveal a few of the more shocking elements. You don’t want to make
this section too long.

 This is where you should bring in the “angle” for your story. This
is how you can make your story relevant to your readers. You need to
find the MOST pertinent connection between what you are saying and
proposed readers, this means the part of the story that influences
their lives the most. For example, if the story is about people
protesting the price of graves, then the angle you choose could be
around the mayor because he is someone that should be held
accountable for what has happened. Another example of an angle
would be to look more deeply at the physical space in the area, how
that is owned and divided up. You also, at this stage, need to outline
exactly who you are going to speak to and why.
 Finally, take the opportunity to sell yourself and explain why
you are best placed to write this story. And be sure to include a link to
your portfolio or at the very least a social media account.