Assignment Description:
Pitching the Story
MPR professionals need to persuade connectors to use their message. It must be positioned as newsworthy. Common themes defining newsworthiness often include the following:
- Firsts
- Trends
- Local, quirky personalities
- The underdog
- Impact on the audience
- Something of an unusual nature
Part 1: Pre-Pitch
Using one of the companies that you began developing in the Unit 2 Individual Project, create a story that you wish to shop to a media outlet. Use the following guidelines:
- Provide a brief overview of the company.
- Describe the media outlet being pitched. Include information on its target audience (the media outlet must be real).
Part 2: Writing an Effective Pitch Letter
- Write the pitch letter, which should include the following:
- An attention-grabbing opening
- The "hook"
- Background information supporting the pitch
- Support materials
- The action step
Part 3: Follow-up and Other Considerations
- Describe your follow-up plan.
- Discuss the special considerations for pitching a blogger.