3 Ways To Craft a Better Pitch For Your Next Article or Podcast

If a podcaster, a blogger or a writer at a top-tier outlet wants to interview you, what are you going to talk about? What’s the pitch? Why is your message important today?

Coming up with pitch angles is a crucial part of the PR process for any author or entrepreneur who’s working on becoming an expert in their field. Do it poorly, and your outreach will fall flat. Do it well, and you can rake in a lot of successful publicity.

So, what is a pitch angle?

Here are a few examples from a few recent clients here at Guide My Brand:

• We’ve been blaming and shaming men for bad relationships for years. Here’s how we can flip the script
• 3 ways that we process trauma (and why it’s important to know)
• 4 basic skills for a healthy relationship that women look for in a partner (and how men can fulfill them)
• Nearly 90% of Americans have anxiety over the current inflation. Here’s 3 mindset practices to ease your stress.
• I used to handle my stress by toggling between overcompensating and then shutting down. Here’s how I’ve learned to manage my stress better.
• 4 ways we currently fight stress (and why they don’t work)

Pitch angles are basically intriguing teases or headlines that sum up the value you’re bringing to the person you’re pitching (like a reporter or podcast host) and their audience.

The foundation of a winning pitch

Here’s what to keep in mind when you start drafting pitch angles:

• Understand your target audience. Who are you trying to reach? What kind of readers or listeners does the TV station, podcast or online outlet have? 
• Communicate the value and relevance of the story or perspective that you’re offering. What’s unique about it? Will this pitch angle be interesting and useful to the audience?

3 ways to identify better pitch angles

Here are 3 types of pitches, with questions to ask yourself and key points that will make it easy to craft better pitches.

• Relevant trends and issues
  • Questions to consider: What are some recent headlines that beg for additional commentary and discussion? Or what are some broader trends that are definitely newsworthy? 
  • How to get ahead: Stay up to date with trends, issues and conversations in your industry or niche that already have media and public attention. Develop pitch angles that provide insights, solutions or perspectives on trending topics, offering a fresh and valuable take.
  • Example pitch angle: Anxiety is at an all-time high with the current economy. Here’s 4 things you need to do to improve your health and mental well-being.
• Personal stories and journeys
  • Questions to consider: What are the highlights of your life story or transformation? When you talk about yourself, what gets people interested and eager to hear more?
  • How to get ahead: Focus on what’s compelling, such as challenges overcome or unique experiences that resonate with a large audience. Highlight key turning points, lessons learned and personal growth that can inspire and engage readers or listeners.
  • Example pitch angle: I did cocaine with my drug-addicted dad at the age of 13. Now we go to church together. Here’s what changed.
• Timely and seasonal hooks
  • Questions to consider: What major holidays and seasons are coming up, and what’s on your mind that people should know? Also, what other days and months may be relevant to your expertise? (For example, National Fitness Day or Women’s Health Month if you’re in the fitness realm.)
  • How to get ahead: Leverage seasonal events, holidays or relevant milestones to create timely and topical pitch angles. Connect your pitch to ongoing conversations and capitalize on the media’s interest in current events.
  • Example pitch angle: Back to school is a busy time. 3 tips to create a realistic and achievable fitness plan.
  • Read more: How to piggyback on holidays to help spread your message

These are just starting points, but many of these strategies lead to stories in major publications every day. Don’t forget a catchy email subject line as well.

Pitching and promoting yourself can be a lot for an author or entrepreneur who’s busy building and running a business. Want some help? Schedule a free discovery call to learn about your options.