Are you pitch proof?
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Guest post: Doriano Carta (@paisano) is writer and Editor-in-Chief for Dad-O-matic and has written for many professional blogs such as Mashable, SarahLacy and currently contributes to WebWorkerDaily on a regular basis.
Are you pitch proof?
What does that mean?
Well, it simply means you’ve come to that place in your blogging or editing life where by you no longer get angered or even annoyed by PR/marketing types. As a matter of fact, you actually find it, dare I say this, almost pleasant dealing with them! GASP! I know, what is he smoking, you ask.
Look, I’ve been in the blogging game long enough to know how it all works. I’ve been on both sides of the fence and I’ve worn many hats and shoes. I know the bitter pain of having your pitch flat out rejected and even worse, totally ignored! In many ways, being ignored seems more harsh than even the coldest no. You see, with a rejection, at least the person acknowledges your existence and demonstrates a modicum of
professional respect by sending you a response of some kind, even if it’s negative. Ambivalence and ignorance is just flat out rude and disrespectful.
I’ve always received pitches even way back when I started this tech blog. The number of pitches steadily increased as I became better known in the community, especially after I started writing for Mashable on a regular basis. Sure, some people were perhaps too robotic in their approach to pitching me but most were friendly and professional folks. I have always done my best to respond to everyone that took the type to approach me about an opportunity, even if it took me a while to get back to them, I really tried to do so. I kept thinking of how I felt whenever I pitched something to an editor and they never cared enough to reply
or it required a couple of follow-ups to get an answer.
Ever since I became the Editor-in-Chief of Dad-o-Matic, the number of pitches for reviews, interviews and promotional events has exploded. I still try my best to reply to every request even if it’s just to say we’re considering it. I know that these are people doing their jobs and working for a living. I don’t share the same attitude that some do about PR/marketing types. Yes, there are rotten apples in every bunch no matter what field we’re talking about so that shouldn’t be an excuse to belittle and ridicule an entire profession.
So, the next time your inbox or voicemail is full of pitches, don’t grit your teeth or immediately click delete. Remind yourself that each one represents the potential for an excellent opportunity for you and your readers or business. Even if it isn’t a good fit this time around, that person that you are kind enough to respond to and reject with some semblance of dignity might come back in the future with an amazing opportunity.
Never burn bridges, baby.
Yes, you can do some serious torching even if you say nothing at all.
10 Comments on this post
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freckles aka Christy said:
I have spent about 12 years in the news business and I think I am pitch proof. We get so much stuff come through our newsroom and while we don’t cover everything, sometimes you get a gem of a story from a PR pitch or news release. Don’t disregard all because you never know when the next gem will appear!
September 3rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm -
Trish Skram said:
Never burn bridges, baby! Love it. I’m on the opposite side of the spectrum and find this post very enlightening. Makes me feel better about pitching stories–we need more reporters, editors, journalists like @paisano. Thanks!
September 4th, 2009 at 9:29 am -
Lisa Schaumann said:
I am a PR person – who used to work in news. I can’t imagine having hundreds of emails a day from people I don’t know in my inbox. I personally hate it if I feel I am sending people things they don’t want, however it is really hard to know. There have been times when I thought it was a long shot that the person or outlet really would be interested in a story and then they were. So when that happens, you start to question whether you really can anticipate these things or not. I try to make my subject lines very clear so you don’t need to open the email if it doesn’t sound interesting. It is a tough system on both sides because I know that many media – especially those who are freelancing are happy to have a story pitch that gets approved – and others want to flog the PR pitchers. Hopefully the continued conversation about pitching will make it better for both sides.
September 4th, 2009 at 10:57 am -
Aluminum Laptop Cases said:
I admit I am one of those people who just click delete when I get an e-mail that I am not interested. I do take the time to briefly go over most of them, but I definitely limit my time. Some bridges are worth burning. For example, if the quality of the pitch is so low, why would you want to keep hearing from them?
September 4th, 2009 at 1:14 pm -
Love Graphics said:
I delete unwanted email or “pitches” without a second thought. I sometimes fear that all people do the same for the pitch that I try so it can be kind of discouraging when I think about it. Thank for the article Sarah.
September 5th, 2009 at 11:05 am -
used tires said:
I don’t think anyone is ever 100% pitch proof, I think there is always something that will trigger someone to say yes. But I don’t think anyone can say they are 100% pitch proof. In my opinion… a pitch doesn’t always have to be a sales pitch involving money.
Till then,
Jean
September 7th, 2009 at 12:07 pm -
Angela Connor said:
As a former Assignment Manager at several TV stations in Top 20 markets, I can certainly understand being pitched on every turn. Many bloggers who found themselves highly sought after may not have been prepared for the sheer volume of pitches one receives on a given day. It is very smart to remind people that these pitches are of great value and importance. I know a lot of it is wrong for you and some is simply crap. I’ve filled my share of recycling bins with press releases in the last 15 years, that’s for sure. But, now that I am an author and blogger who is beginning to receive an increasing amount of pitches, I bring sensitivity to the table, having been part of major traditional media. Believe me, you do not want these pitches to dry up. There are always diamonds in the rough and a chance to build relationships. Kudos to you for responding even to let people know they are being considered. The world is too small to be a jerk. Great, valuable post.
Angela Connor
Author, “18 Rules of Community Engagement”September 7th, 2009 at 9:17 pm -
links of london said:
I do take the time to go over most of them, but I definitely limit my time. Some bridges are worth burning. i think i pitch proof,because i no longer get angered by PR/marketing types. …
September 8th, 2009 at 8:06 pm -
Mind Ruin said:
I think most of use that are “internet savvy” have become pitch proof after hearing the same sales letters time and time again.
September 9th, 2009 at 3:44 am
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