Tips on How to Direct Pitch
A pitch is so much more than an email to an editor because It’s like having to compartmentalize your music down into three breezy paragraphs of undeniable brilliance that no editor in their right mind can say no to.
We won’t sugarcoat it: pitching is hard. Furthermore, every part of it is hard, from the tone to the format to the sheer amount of legwork you have to do upfront. The part that shouldn’t be hard? Figuring out who to send it to or what a given publication is looking for, and equally important, what they’re not looking for.
How do you craft a good direct pitch?
When it comes to pitching yourself to a music outlet, firstly, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research on the publication you’re targeting. Additionally, familiarize yourself with their content, tone, and preferences. Once you have a clear understanding of the publication, it’s time to craft a personalized pitch. Many outlets have a page on their website detailing how to pitch to them, and some editors will even list their own preferences, from ideal pitch length, time of day they prefer receiving a pitch, and more. Here are some general rules to follow:
Pitch a editor, not a publication.
Do not pitch to a “submissions@magazine.com.” Twitter is your best bet to find an editor and their contact information. If you don’t find any luck there, some Googling should do the trick. Also, media turnover is real. Double-check that an editor is still at the publication before you pitch them.
Know who and where you’re direct pitching.
Your pitch should show that you’ve read the publication and know what kind of content the editor is looking for. Different editors at the same publication are often looking for different things. You wouldn’t want to pitch a country album to a editor who primarily covers rock bands., instead tell the editor why your pitch is perfect for their outlet.
Direct Pitch a story, not a topic.
“Animal rights” is a topic. “A lion tamer who is reinventing her profession to be more animal-friendly” is a story. Before you pitch that indie rock single, think deeper, for example, what makes your indie rock single in particular stand out amongst all the other indie rock singles that are being released at the same time as yours? Transitioning from a general idea to a specific narrative, illustrate how your music stands out from the crowd. For instance, highlight a unique aspect of your music that aligns with their publication’s style and audience. By doing so, you can capture their interest and engage their curiosity.
Write an excellent subject line.
Make your subject lines short and sweet. Try to think like a music journalists and come up with a subject line that sounds more like a headline that’ll get them to notice your email. If you wouldn’t be tempted to click it, it’s not a good pitch subject line.
If you don’t hear back, follow up!
Wait a few days until you follow up. It’s important to be succinct and to the point, but be kind and make sure the follow up comes off as a gentle reminder. Don’t be spammy, because the folks on the other side get hundreds of pitches every day.
Sample Pitch Template:
Hi [EDITOR NAME],
My name is [YOUR NAME]. I’m a musician based in {CITY} and I wanted to pitch you for coverage in [PUBLICATION] about my show / album / single being released on {DATE}.
{Insert short bio, highlights, previous coverage, etc)
INSERT A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT YOU ARE PROMOTING, WHY THEY SHOULD CARE, AND ANY ANGLE THAT THEY SHOULD CONSIDER. TELL THEM WHAT KIND OF COVERAGE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR (PREMIERE, FEATURE, INTERVIEW, REVIEW, ETC) AND WHY YOU THINK THE OUTLET IS A GOOD FIT.
I appreciate your time and consideration and look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
[NAME]
ADD A PHOTO
ADD SOME PULL QUOTES
END WITH YOUR FULL BIO
And now, consequently, you know how to direct pitch a writer!
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