Do Journalists Ignore Your Pitch? Here’s How To Fix It

Are you sending pitches and hearing...nothing? Just crickets?

At our recent Meet the Media event, top editors and journalists shared exactly why your pitches might be ignored - and what you, a public relations pro, can do to avoid this.

Keep reading to learn more!

1. The Basic Rule: Do Your Homework

It sounds simple, but this happens more than you think. If your pitch doesn’t match what the reporter covers, it’s going straight to the trash. 

Before you hit “send,” take a step back. Have you checked what the journalist writes about? What stories grab their attention? What angles they prefer? 

A quick scan of recent articles, podcast episodes or videos can save your pitch from the dreaded delete button. Make sure your story is personalized, fits their beat and shows you’ve done your research. 

2. Quickly Get To the Point

Journalists don’t need a deep dive into your company’s history or a lengthy bio about your spokesperson. They care about the story - why it’s relevant, why their audience will care and why now. 

Keep introductions brief. A sentence or two about who you are is enough before jumping into the story itself. 

3. Avoid Promotional Language - It's Not an Ad

Journalists want stories, not sales pitches. If your pitch reads like a marketing brochure, it won’t get picked up. They need compelling angles, not corporate buzzwords. 

Frame your story around news value. Why does this matter? How does it impact the industry or community? Remove self-serving language and focus on what’s genuinely newsworthy.