5 pitching tips to capture reporters’ attention

My inbox is constantly flooded with pitches from PR professionals, and the majority of them are complete garbage.

While a few come over that are perfectly fine, most are downright cringe-worthy:

“Want to interview the company founder, Jonathon?”

You can’t even spell my name correctly? Pass.

“We are launching this amazing new app and it would be perfect for your audience.”

Looks interesting, but I see this was sent to 50 email recipients, taking laziness to the highest level. Pass.

I know a lot of people in the PR space and have built some amazing relationships over the years. One of those relationships is with Lavonte Johnson, CEO of Star Relations. Though his company focuses on securing press coverage across music and celebrity outlets, we constantly talk strategy.

His company secures press on outlets like Billboard, VIBE and XXL—major music industry outlets that receive pitches around the clock, so he knows how to craft an effective pitch that, at the very least, is read by the target recipient.