Journalism tactics for telling your story and securing coverage
A reporter reveals lessons from a quarter-century of pitching colorful features to demanding editors—takeaways that can help PR pros break through and land stories in print.
Where’s the human interest in your story? That’s a key question I learned to ask in my 25 years as a journalist.
During that time, I would pitch story ideas, all the while learning my editors’ preferences. One time, an editor declined my offer to write about an emerging artist.
“What will your second paragraph say?” he asked.
He explained that he wanted human interest; he got plenty in response. I re-pitched the story, providing details about an 88-year-old dying artist who was bedridden and painting with an easel resting on his stomach. The editor approved the story.
Reporters must obtain approval for stories from editors, so knowing what and how to pitch makes a difference. Such valuable lessons are crucial for public relations professionals. As you build relationships with reporters, use these three tips to increase your pitching success:
1. Be prepared to answer the question, “What will your second paragraph say?”
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