Media Resources

Magazine Stories: To pitch or not to pitch?

You’ve gotten plenty of press in the local newspaper, but now you’re ready for reaching a broader audience with a different kind of story. You think that targeting a few niche magazines might be the right place for an in-depth examination of your issues. Unfortunately, you’ve never pitched a magazine before and you are not sure where to begin. What can you do to increase your chances of placing your fantastic story in a magazine?

Exclusives: To pitch or not to pitch?

You have a dynamite story that is so good you’re wondering if you should pitch it to your usual list of media contacts. You think that you might get the most bang for your buck if you pitch it to only one key outlet, giving a single reporter an exclusive first crack at the story. Will this be the most effective way to get your story to the public?

Know the News, Make the News

You have a reliable media list. You also know how to craft interesting and provocative press materials. Lately, however, it seems that your news releases are falling on deaf ears. You wonder why your most trusted reporters aren’t covering your stories. What can you do to overcome the silent presses?

Writing for the Web

Your organization is preparing to launch a brand new website and you’re in charge of its content. You’re confident about your writing skills, but this is your first opportunity to create content for a website. How is writing for the Web different from other kinds of writing? Are there things you can do to make your website more readable?

Embargoes: Are they for everyone?

Your organization is releasing a research report, and wants to make sure that you receive good, in-depth press coverage following the release. You decide to send journalists the report in advance of the official release date, placing an “embargo” on when they can run their stories on the report. But if one reporter does not honor your embargo and publishes a story in advance of the official release date, you might lose the opportunity for widespread news coverage. Is an embargo right for everybody? What is the best way to avoid getting “scooped”?

Exploring the business angle

Your organization is preparing to pitch its story, and you think your issue may have a business angle, but you’re not sure how to pitch it. How does pitching your story as a business or economic story change how it’s perceived by the public? Does turning your issue into a business story really benefit its potential for press coverage?

Simplify your words

Your organization is pitching a story that is technical. You have to sort through a maze of documents and reports written by academics and scientists in order to create a cohesive, easy-to-understand story pitch or press release. How do you simplify technical terms, language and data so that it is understood by your target audience?

On the Record vs. Off the Record

You have an interview lined up with a reporter. You want to make sure the reporter has enough background to fill out the story, but you don’t want to be quoted on everything you say. How do you define what is “on the record,” “on background,” and “off the record?” What is the safest approach with reporter relations?

Getting Personal

You are working towards change for an environmental issue that will have an impact on the lives of many homeowners, tourists, and businessmen. Telling their stories would bring an authentic, credible voice to your issue or campaign. The only problem is you haven’t found a way to bring those specific personal stories to the press. How do you find these people? How does your group go about coaching them to talk to the press? What is the benefit of turning environmental stories into human interest stories as opposed to having a business, political, or scientific angle?