Find Out How to Pitch to the Media

Are you ready to pitch to the media? You have decided to harness the power of PR to get national media attention on television, talk radio or in newspapers and magazines for your company, product or services. This are some fantastic first steps.

You have probably already reviewed your topic, message and developed confidence in relaying it to others. The next step in this process is the one that many dread and some even hate: pitching your message to the media. Marsha , Chief Executive Officer of Event Management Service Inc, a national PR firm, has been doing this successfully for over 20 years and knows exactly how to gain and hold the attention of various mediums . Here Marsha Friedman shares with us a few quick tips on how to effectively pitch to the media! 1. Don’t pitch yourself. When you get in contact with the media, don’t pitch your company or YOUR qualifications. Marsha Friedman says, “Focus your pitches on THE ISSUE that you are an expert on. For example, if you are a mortgage broker pitch a show idea or story about the best way to finance a home in today’s market. ” By pitching the issue you get the producer or journalist interested in your story first. What they want are hot, newsworthy topics that will grab and hold the interest of their viewers and readers, they do not want to be sold to.

2. Don’t pitch the product. If you are a product manufacturer it is very important that when you are pitching to the media that you do not keep the focus of your pitch on your product Marsha Friedman says, ” If you have a product or service, focus your pitch on THE PROBLEM that your product or service solves. If you produce a line of gourmet cookies pitch a show or story about the value of quality family time and offer tips on how moms and dads can share baking time with their children.” Producers don’t react very well to sales pitches, so really try to stay away from them altogether.

3. Supply facts to the media. Don’t rely on the media to get perfect results on your topic through their research. Marsha Friedman says, “ Make sure to give them YOUR facts. This is especially important if your topic is controversial as you want them to have the data that supports your position.” When pitching, have an arsenal of facts that you can use to educate the media with. This is more useful then you can imagine. A busy producer may not be willing to take the time to hear your story if it is explained in a difficult to understand manner. The more time you save explaining, the more time you can spend pitching the benefits of having you as a guest or featured on their pages.

4. Phone a friend. If you are topic is controversial then have some like minded friends or colleagues that can join you when you are a guest for backup. Marsha Friedman says, “If you’re pitching a controversial topic to a radio or TV show, select the guests you want to appear with you. With this group you will have a better handle on the segment and have people with you that will support your message. This helps you gain acceptance with the audience. ” If you do not have suggested guests to pitch to the producer, and they pick it up, you may just be setting yourself up for an on-air ambush, which if you are not prepared, can land you in deep water.

So now that you know, let’s get out there and start pitching! If you would like to learn more about gaining national media exposure for your company, product or service, without the financial burden of monthly retainers, Marsha Friedman would love to help. Feel free to contact her directly at mfriedman@emsincorporated.com or visit her firm online at http://www.emsincorporated.com. As a PR expert Friedman has the ability to get the media attention that you desire without budget busting monthly retainers.

Marsha Friedman has been a leading authority on public relations for nearly two decades as CEO of Event Management Services, Inc (EMSI). If you would like to receive her free Ebook “How to Be a Great Talk Radio Guest” visit http://www.emsincorporated.com.

- Marsha Friedman