The one thing your pitches desperately need
Here's a winning pitch strategy hardly anyone is using, plus leads on 2 events PR pros won't want to miss this fall.
Joni Sweet is a seasoned writer, editor, and content strategist with 13+ years of media experience. In this newsletter, Joni reveals her current assignments and insider tips to help PR professionals sharpen their pitches, avoid rookie mistakes, land coverage for their clients, and build stronger relationships with writers. Get ready for candid advice, a touch of sass, and secret strategies to make your pitches stand out.
Hi friends!
Thank you all for your feedback on last week’s Substack, “Do relationships with journalists really matter?”. Relationship-building is hard work but the pay off is so worth it! I’m thrilled the newsletter resonated with so many of you and validated all the effort you put into forming genuine connections with your media friends like me!
Journalists are busy, and trust me, the easier you make their job, the more likely they’ll cover your clients. This week, I have an idea for something you can do right now to make your pitches stand out (and help us freelance writers land stories that feature your clients!). I’ve also got announcements about two special events you won’t want to miss!
It’s back-to-school season, after all.
Big thanks to my sponsors, Hannah Smith & Britt Klontz, for supporting this week’s newsletter!
👉 Don’t miss this PR pitch writing course
Are your PR pitches failing to land coverage? Join Britt Klontz & Hannah Smith for this live cohort, four-week training course delivered over Zoom.
Begins October 10, 2024.
Get 10% off tickets with the code: JONI
✨Can’t make the live sessions? No worries! Each session will be recorded and shared with attendees, so you can revisit the material anytime.✨
🎁 Special bonus offer: I’m giving every participant in this course an exclusive 20% discount code they can use on a Flash Consulting session with me! Sign up now to get the code when class is in session.
🎁 Gift guide AMA, coming your way!
Holiday gift guide season has already started, so my friend Amanda Lauren and I have are teaming up for a special holiday-themed AMA over Zoom.
Got questions about pitching your clients for holiday gift guides? We’ve got you covered! Whether you’re curious about what catches our eye at Forbes, need tips on how to make your pitch stand out, or want insider advice on crafting the perfect submission, we’re here to help.
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, Oct. 8 at noon ET (9am PT)!
This event is exclusively for paid subscribers to *both* of our Substack newsletters. Even a 1-month subscription is enough to get you a spot, so the most you’ll need to pay to attend is $17 total. Please sign up here. We can’t wait for a little face time with you all!
Need a little help upgrading your subscription? This guide can walk you through it.
You should include headline ideas in your PR pitches. Here’s why.
Let me tell you a quick story. Last December, I was pitched an opportunity to visit the Barcelona HQ of a woman-helmed adult film studio. The opportunity intrigued me, but film and the adult entertainment industry are outside my usual beats. I wasn’t sure how I could write about this and my initial instinct was to decline the trip. After all, there’s no point in me joining a trip (or having someone host me) if I can’t sell a story about the experience.
Here’s where things got interesting: The PR person (Dawn Watt of Little Leaf Agency) didn’t just send the usual pitch…