The following points refer to an email someone sent me about covering an immigration event helping young people who are undocumented. At the time, I was a television reporter.
She sent the pitch the same day as the event. In fact, she sent it two hours and 15 minutes before the event began.
Both the email’s subject and a sub headline in the email stated “for immediate release.” Isn’t that obvious?
The email began with “Media Advisory” in big bold letters. When sending pitches to reporters, why is it necessary to include “media advisory”? Isn’t that obvious considering you are sending information to reporters?
The pitch’s first paragraph explains a school board member, a house representative and a councilman will attend the event. Sharing a compelling story in the pitch about a young person who is undocumented would have been a more persuasive way to attract my attention. Also, the email should have explained I would be able to interview that person on camera. School board members and politicians were often the last people I sought to interview at events.
The email buries in the second and third paragraphs how two controversial decisions sparked this event. The email refers to the event as a workshop that will include demonstrations. The media like controversy and TV reporters especially like visuals such as demonstrations. I would have included this information higher in the pitch.
The email includes a PDF attachment that repeats word for word the email itself. I’m not sure of the PDF’s purpose unless the sender believed some reporters prefer information within PDFs rather than emails. However, I’ve never heard of this preference.
I support including visuals in pitches, but this one includes a picture of a meeting. The meeting apparently depicts leaders who made a controversial decision leading to these demonstrations. However, a picture of people who look very bored in a meeting does not add much to the pitch. I would prefer to see a picture of a young passionate demonstrator who I might get to interview.