Mastering the art of a good pitch requires some basic frameworks and steps to follow. However, it’s important to remember that every situation is unique and over time, you will develop relationships and learn how each individual works. A great PR pitch is solution-based for the recipient and centered in value.

The Perfectly Pitched Formula is a framework to create a compelling pitch that is thoughtful, giving, and driven by the ability to answer the question, ‘what have you got that they want?’ This formula can be transferred to almost any situation where you’re requesting an opportunity to be considered.

The Perfectly Pitched Ingredients

Step One: WHO

Personalize your pitch by name and research the publication/media outlet you’re reaching out to.

Step Two: WHAT

Get clear on what you’re pitching and make it unique and interesting.

Step Three: WHEN

Know when the publication is syndicated and when it’s most favorable for them to receive ideas for editorial consideration.

Step Four: WHERE

Consider if what you’re asking can be placed and where.

Step Five: HOW

Pitch with value in mind, and consider what you can give that they might want, not what the journalist can give you.

In addition, it’s important to communicate the value of what you do, similar to an elevator pitch.

Use value as the North Star when you pitch to media or any potential opportunity, be it a sponsorship opportunity, collaboration, or even employment.

The goal is to help build sustainable brands and share stories, to make a positive difference in the world by representing individuals and businesses that are doing good.

I am an extension of the personal stories within us and those that need to be heard.

Brands have to be able to do two things to grow and amplify media coverage:

01: Have the ability to develop meaningful and relevant story angles around your business

02: Be able to develop relevant depth and variety in media outlets and contacts on your media list

Now you also have to be able to authentically back up your media outreach with powerful, relevant, informative, and valuable media pitching and editorial opportunities.

When you’re creating your media list that is well researched it is an essential foundation for gaining media coverage and third-party endorsement across mediums.

Whether it be print, TV, radio, blogs, or via social media influencers – a media list documents the key media contacts who would be interested in stories about your business, the news surrounding your company and industry, and your area of expertise.

Research and planning are essential to unearthing opportunities that help you to secure media coverage in varying media outlets. A quality precision type approach is far more effective than casting the net wide and securing little or worse, nothing.

So you’ll need to put your best PR scouting hat on and go deep into the who, what, when, where, and why. Be sure to take all the time that’s needed to craft and tailor a thoughtful and high-impact pitch. The more you know and plan where your story can be placed, the more success you’ll have with your outreach.

Groundwork

Plan

Plan your story. Identify your goal and your ideal outcome. Move through the questions in the facilitator to help you unearth your story or prompt you to plan further.

Research

Research the facts that will help to support your story. Get around trade publications, major news outlets, or lifestyle publications relevant to your industry and your story. Get familiar with the media landscape you’re pitching to.

Develop Key Messages and Angles

Look into the who, what, where, when, and why for your story to develop key messages and angles. Align them with key media who you know for sure have shown interest in such stories and editorial opportunities in the recent past.

Story Angle Prompts to Diversify Your Media Coverage

Take time to outline your angles so that you’re prepared and have fully evolved the potential of your story. You should have multiple angles to ensure you’re pitching something substantial that could be considered and placed in various ways by different publications.

Angle one: i.e. human-interest angle

Angle two: i.e. industry trend angle

Angle three: i.e. expert opinion and talent interview angle

Angle four: i.e. history-based angle in association with your business

Angle five: i.e. product or service or special event based news angle

Angle six: i.e. exclusive element/access to something for this publication only/a reveal

Angle seven: top ten list of tips, or top ten insights, news curated in list format

Angle eight: survey results from consumer research within your industry

Angle nine: access to talent/expert in association with an evergreen story with new seasonal elements

So whether you’re looking to raise your personal profile or hoping to get the word out about a new product or service, media coverage is one of the best ways to get your company noticed. But it has to be news-based. Otherwise, it’s just a sales message and you’d be better off paying for ads.

Securing media coverage isn’t a simple matter of syndicating media releases and media pitches and hoping something sticks. It’s about being thoughtful, taking time to research and plan; and like all good things in life worthwhile – media coverage is the result of hard work, time, and patience.

For additional insight on developing and pitching your brand story to media, click to browse collection of DIY tools and strategies I use.

DISCOVER THE UNSPOILED BEAUTY OF ST. SIMONS ISLAND AND THE GOLDEN ISLES.

// st. simons island //

Lined with white sand and live oaks, the biggest of Georgia’s Golden Isles, St. Simons Island was recently voted the number one favorite beach town by Travel and Leisure. This barrier island, among the Golden Isles of Georgia together with Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island, is full of unspoiled beaches and coastal delights. Like many coastal beach communities, the day-to-day pace moves at a much gentler pace. St. Simons isn’t a contrived vacation destination, it’s a small beach town with a rich history and year round residents who welcome visitors with great dining, good shopping, history, adventure, and oh yeah the beach. Hard to argue with a beach town vacation full of southern charm and serenity.

stay:

The Fig House – Cool and comfortable, this beautiful mid-mod beach house has 3 bedrooms, heated pool, and massive kitchen, Bryce Brock of The Vine has transformed this house into a cozy hideaway is perfect for a family or girls trip to the beach. The house is centrally located near the site of the Battle of Bloody Marsh and a short cruise to the beach, restaurants, and shopping.

The King and Prince – If a resort is more your speed, The King and Prince resort is the only hotel that is right on St. Simons Island beach. The resort boasts several pools, indoor and outdoor dining at Echo, tennis, golf and a variety of accommodation types.

eat:

Palmer’s Village Cafe: This was hands down our favorite place for breakfast every day. Palmer’s Village cafe is located in the village near the lighthouse and serves the most amazing breakfast and lunch all day. It’s no wonder this quaint cafe is a hit with locals and travelers alike. relax and enjoy unique southern coastal food from a five-star/five diamond chef, John Belechak. Enjoy the Farm to Table concept by trying any of the Palmer’s Village Cafe omelets like the hooch with spicy tomatoes, provolone, cheddar and sausage (made in house)  topped with fried onions. No visit is complete without the made-from-scratch biscuits. You don’t want to miss this island gem!

Porch: This eclectic restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating, was voted Best New Restaurant in the Golden Isles. Porch features a Southern menu with Nashville hot chicken, catfish and fresh off the boat shrimp. Choose between Naked, Novice, Nashville or Napalm (if you’d rather live on the edge) on the hot-o-meter scale. Fixins on the side include Porch corn, Mac & cheese or pimento cheese grits. On tap is craft beer or the island favorite frose, perfect after a day at the beach and you’ll want to leave room for banana pudding.

Sals Neighborhood Pizzeria:  Sal’s is owned by professional boxer turned pizza slinger and New Jersey native Sal Cenicola. Locals hail this neighborhood hot spot as having the best pies on the island. This New York-style pizzeria also offers heaping bowls of pasta, sandwiches and their take on calzones aptly named “salzones”

move:

African American Heritage Tour: The Gullah Geechee are decedents of the African slaves that worked the cotton and rice plantations along the coast. The National Park Service has designated a Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor extending from Wilmington, NC to Jacksonville. Hear the stories of growing up on the island through an African American Heritage Tour with Amy Roberts, Executive Director of the St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition. Amy’s ancestors were slaves on the Retreat Plantation on St. Simons Island. The  St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition’s mission is to save and share the Islands African American history from freedom to civil rights.

Bike Riding: Bicycles are a must on St. Simons. With 30 miles of bike paths on the island it’s a great way to explore. If you can’t bring your own, rent one from Ocean Motion or MonkeyWrench Bicycles.

Neptune Park/Pier/St. Simons Lighthouse: The seaside park is a beautiful place to people watch or enjoy a picnic under giant live oaks. Enjoy walking the path along the water and follow the path to the St. Simons Lighthouse. Climb the 129 stairs to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy the amazing view of St. Simons Island.

Kayak: A unique way to see St. Simons Island is with a kayak tour through the marshes, and out into the ocean. With Kingfisher Paddle Ventures, you’ll Lear about the ecology of the area while enjoying a great day on the water.

TAKE IN THE RUSTIC SIMPLICITY AND BEAUTY OF THIS PERFECTLY DISCREET PORTUGUESE BEACH TOWN.

// c o m p o r t a //

Comporta is a little slice of unpretentious beach town heaven.  Its hard to believe that just an easy hour drive away from Lisbon exists this chill oasis of world class, wide open white-sand beaches that feels almost untouched. This is what we imagine the Hamptons was like, years ago before it was built up into the fancy scene that it has become… a place to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of coastal living. From the umbrella pines and cork trees, to the sand dunes, vineyards, and rice fields, Comporta is a low key yet completely elevated destination that completely captured our hearts.

stay:

Sublime Comporta: I stayed at this amazing hotel and can’t recommend it enough. Rustic luxury at its finest, you will feel instantly transported upon entering this 17 acre estate. Here wildlife is abundant and the food is local (some even grown in house at their impressive organic garden).  Sublime Comporta offers a combination of tranquility and simplicity that is both addictive and inspiring, reminding us of the magic of experiencing more with less. And don’t miss the lovely spa on property. Sublime has everything to keep everyone happy.

but first…. juice:

Colmo Bar: Sit outside at this juice bar (where you can also get a snack or cocktail) and enjoy people watching in town.

eat:

Dona Bia: This is a restaurant that I would frequent every week (or every night) if we could! Perfectly home cooked seafood in a casual, comfortable family-run setting. No major frills, yet absolutely perfect. Order any of the combinations of seafood and rice, the monk fish is to die for and the fried seafood is also mouthwatering!

Sal: The beach restaurant of my dreams!!! Situated on the most gorgeous stretch sand atop Pego beach, this casual lunch and dinner spot not only has truly delicious coastal fare, it has the best vibe to match. Order a bottle of wine and keep ordering while you enjoy the view.

Cavalarica Comporta: An old horse stable converted into a restaurant that I’ve heard is an experience of a lifetime. Inquire about horseback riding to your dinner while watching the sunset.

Museo de Arroz: This classic restaurant is on the upscale end of things and was one of the places that put Comporta on the map!

shop:

Vintage Department: Visit to discover their impressive selection of vintage + antique furniture. There are many Scandinavian gems to be found (at reasonable prices!), and if you fall in love with a piece you’ll be happy to know that they ship internationally.

Lavanda: Beautifully curated clothing shop for both men and women

Gomes: Visit this gourmet market to pick up some specialty foods and wine

A Loja do Museu do Arroz Comporta: Lovely Bohemian vibe and great selection of furniture + unique international gifts

move:

Yoga Shala: Get your glow on with yoga & meditation in the rice fields

Horse Back Riding on the beach

Dolphin Watching and Sailing

Surf School & Stand Up Paddle