A teleconference for Career Directors International -- About how to write email pitches editors will actually read. Want more from me? http://alexisgrant.com/newsletter

1. Pitching the Media
in the Digital Age
Alexis Grant
Entrepreneurial writer
& digital strategist
alexisgrant.com
@alexisgrant

2. What You’ll Learn Today
 Why the press release is so 1990 and what
you should do instead
 Why social media has changed the pitch
game and how you can use that to your
advantage
 Tips for getting journalists and bloggers to
actually read and accept your pitches
alexisgrant.com

3. My Experience with Pitches
 Full-time journalist for six years
 Houston Chronicle
 U.S. News & World Report
 Continue to freelance = pitch both pubs
and blogs
 Review pitches as editor of Brazen
Careerist’s blog, Brazen Life
alexisgrant.com

4. A Lousy Pitch (pun intended)
In a Struggling Economy,
One Industry is Growing –
and It’s a Lousy One
A pitch about lice = SERIOUSLY?!

5. Why I Delete Most Pitches
 Not addressed to me
 Too long and not to the point
 Does not tell me why this should matter
to my readers
 Not even about the topic I write about
(aka the lice pitch)
alexisgrant.com

6. How to Write an Effective Email Pitch
That People Will Actually Read
Because that’s the
whole POINT, right?
Coming up…
4 Essential Tips
alexisgrant.com

7. Who You Want to Reach
 Top-notch publications… but no longer
JUST pubs
 Blogs
 Niche websites
 Organizations that send newsletters
 Anyone who has online reach
alexisgrant.com

8. Tip #1: Personalize Your Pitch
 Drop the Big Bomb approach and use smart
targeting instead
 Find out WHO the right person is to approach
 Read about them on their website, LinkedIn,
Twitter
 Seek out the right email address for that
specific person
 Write a personalized email
alexisgrant.com

9. How to Find the Right Email
1. Ask people you know
2. Online sleuthing
 Website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook,
Google
 Find the formula for their company – i.e.
alexis@brazencareerist.com
3. Niche resources like MediaBistro’s How
to Pitch (even if they cost you)
alexisgrant.com

10. Tip #2: Offer Real Value
 Don’t just tell me what you’re pitching –
tell me WHY I should care
 Make your pitch about my readers, not
about YOU
 How will this benefit my audience?
 Find a newsy angle
 And not one that’s newsy to YOU, one
that’s newsy to my readers alexisgrant.com

11. Tip #3: Be Short & Informal
 3-6 sentences (before release)
 Not just to keep my attention, but also to
show you respect my time
 Put news FIRST
 Keep it simple
 Layman’s terms
 Too long = DELETE!
alexisgrant.com

12. What about a Press Release?
Why is it so 1990?
 It’s not personalized
 It’s about you, not me
 It’s too long
Solution: Add it at the bottom of your
email if you must include it alexisgrant.com

13. Tip #4: Form Relationships Online
 Relationships rule in the digital age, perhaps
even more than before.
 It’s easier than ever before to connect with
people who will help you reach your goals.
 Social media is your foot in the door. Take
advantage of it!
alexisgrant.com

14. More Work = More Reward
 Find the right person + their email
 Connect with them online
 Think of the right angle
 Write a personalized pitch
= More work than the Big Bomb
approach… But more responses, too.
alexisgrant.com

15. Great Example #1
Hi XXX,
Keeps it I am sure you get pitched on guest posts on a daily basis so I’ll keep this short. I am a
short & long time reader of your blog and have been meaning to contribute – but I held back
respects my because I didn’t have a great idea that I think you’ll love.
time ----
Well, now I do. I stumbled upon an interesting topic on 5 Problems Turned Into
Solutions: How To Make Career Setbacks Work For You. Would you be
interested in a guest post about the topic?
Anticipates
what I want And if you need it, here is a sample of my writing: [link here]
----
I look forward to your reply and I can't wait to get started!
Cheers,
XXX
Shows he PS: I read your article entitled, “Hey, Have You Seen This? Job Applicant Explains How He
reads my Got a Job He Wasn’t Qualified For” and it was really encouraging. Hard work really is
blog ---- the key to success.

16. Great Example #2
Hi Alexis!
Explains his I'm XXX from The Do-It-Yourself Degree. My website teaches students how to earn a
mission bachelor's degree in 1 year by taking exams instead of classes. Exams cost $80-
concisely $200 apiece, versus $3,000+ for a class. Total cost of graduation: around $5,000.
----
Essentially, you can "test out" of your degree (while still earning the credential) and
jump-start your career with zero debt.
Shows why I'd love to write a concise overview of the process for Brazen Life's readers. Degree-by-
it’s unique examination is the ultimate education hack, but I can tell you (based on many
---- conversations with students) that most people have never heard of it!
Let me know if you're interested, and I'll send over a draft for review.
Cheers!
Gives - XXX
himself
social PS: I wrote a guest post for I Will Teach You To Be Rich last month that became a pretty
credibility big hit. Check it out!
----

17. Want More?
If you like my approach, a few ways to get
more from me:
 My FREE newsletter:
http://alexisgrant.com/newsletter
 My guides & courses (includes #MYOL):
http://alexisgrant.com/store
 Work with me:
http://alexisgrant.com/socialexis

18. Questions?
alexisgrant.com
alexisgrant.com