One creative pitch that particularly resonated with journalists involved showcasing the human side of tech through our initiative called "Tech Heroes Among Us." We spotlighted stories of our clients using digital marketing tools in unique and impactful ways, such as small businesses pivoting during the pandemic or nonprofits increasing their reach. By focusing on the personal, real-world applications of technology rather than just the technical aspects, we offered journalists a fresh angle that connected technology to everyday triumphs and challenges. This approach not only attracted media attention but also humanized our brand and reinforced the practical value of our services, resulting in a series of featured articles in major industry publications.
Our client is a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, and we pitched offering journalists complimentary tongue readings if they were daring enough to share their results with their readers. This resulted in several interviews, including the Daily Mirror, which we then showcased on social media with one-click automation to DIY tongue reading lead magnets and $99/anonymous tongue readings, resulting in email sign-ups and bookings. Sometimes, you need to offer something "weird" or personal to get attention. Our subject line was, "What does your tongue say about your health."
We leveraged the angle of "Digital Marketing Predictions by a Machine Learning Model." We created a story around how our proprietary AI analyzed trends and predicted the future of digital marketing strategies. This not only piqued the interest of tech and business journalists looking for cutting-edge content but also positioned our brand at the forefront of integrating AI with digital marketing. The coverage we received significantly boosted our brand's visibility and underscored our innovative approach, leading to increased inquiries and client interest. This strategy proved effective in distinguishing our content in a crowded market, providing a unique narrative that was both informative and engaging.
I recently implemented an innovative angle to pitch a compelling and high-impact story about custom survey data to journalists. This effort went very well and resulted in several mentions of my brand among journalists, improving my online visibility. The survey and the associated story were about shoplifting statistics and demographics in the United States. The responses and data revealed some exciting and slightly shocking findings, making it an excellent topic for journalists to cover on their sites since they seek to include click-worthy and in-depth content that resonates with their readers. A key factor to keep in mind is that the story should be straightforward for journalists to write about. If a story is too confusing or dry, few platforms will take the time to write about it, which is not what you want if your goal is to boost PR for your brand.
To get featured on Yahoo Finance, I pitched a compelling story about me—a 16-year-old kid who dramatically grew his own company. This narrative highlighted my unique challenges and remarkable achievements, emphasizing how my innovative approach not only advanced our business but also made significant waves in our industry. This story resonated because it illustrated the intersection of youthful vigor and entrepreneurial success, making it an inspiring feature for Yahoo Finance's audience interested in groundbreaking business stories led by young entrepreneurs.
A creative angle that has proven to be effective for pitching stories to the journalists is using personal narratives in it. Using human experiences and your own motivation behind starting the brand works wonders when it comes to impressing the journalist to feature your story. The story should be appealing and attractive to the readers. You can include real-life journeys or use a story that is quite relatable. This can make your narrative more compelling and impactful. For example, an entrepreneur I know was able to secure a high-performing story by reframing her narrative from a normal angle. She focussed on how she used TikTok in innovative ways to grow her small business. She narrated the whole success story by centring on her personal experiences and her approaches to solve problems that she faced. In this case, the journalist was able to craft a more engaging story that was of interest to the readers. Thus, it is recommended to move beyond simple reporting and find creative ways.
I have pitched numerous stories to journalists throughout my career. One of the most successful and high-impact angles I have used is showcasing unique and unconventional homes that I have listed. Rather than simply highlighting the features and amenities of a typical home, I focused on properties that had interesting histories or architectural designs. This not only caught the attention of journalists but also intrigued readers who were looking for something out of the ordinary. For example, I once pitched a story about a 100-year-old mansion that was rumored to be haunted. Not only did this angle pique the interest of local news outlets, but it also garnered attention from national publications and resulted in a feature story that brought a lot of attention to the property. Additionally, I have pitched stories about homes with unusual designs such as converted churches or former fire stations. These types of properties attracted media coverage and generated buzz for my brand. Another successful angle I have used is featuring homes that cater to specific lifestyles or hobbies. For instance, I pitched a story about a luxury home with an indoor basketball court for sports enthusiasts and received coverage from both sports and lifestyle publications. In summary, while traditional approaches to pitching may be effective, getting creative with angles can lead to high-impact stories that bring more exposure and recognition to your brand. It's important to think outside the box and find unique angles that will capture the attention of journalists and readers alike.