What are some effective ways to showcase your award and recognition in your follow-up pitch?
You've just won an award or received a recognition for your business, and you want to share the good news with the media. You've crafted a compelling press release and sent it to your target journalists, but you haven't heard back from them yet. How can you follow up with them without being annoying or spammy? Here are some effective ways to showcase your award and recognition in your follow-up pitch and increase your chances of getting coverage.
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Karla Jo Helms ★Chief Evangelist & Anti-PR Strategist… A Results-Ravenous Renegade: Master of Disruption!
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Kuldeep M.Senior Technical Associate at Flavin Labs Pvt. Ltd. | Biotechnology | Microbiology | Project Manager | SURGE INTERN IIT…
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Joseph MutindaInsurTech | Public Relations & Corporate Communications Expert | Brand Manager | Digital Strategist
The first rule of following up is to do it soon after you send your press release, ideally within a week. Don't wait too long or you risk losing the interest and attention of the journalists. Also, make sure your follow-up pitch is relevant to their beat, audience, and current news cycle. For example, if you've won an award for your sustainability efforts, you can tie it to a recent environmental story or trend.
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Karla Jo Helms ★
Chief Evangelist & Anti-PR Strategist… A Results-Ravenous Renegade: Master of Disruption!
Timing is key in follow-ups; aim for within a week of sending your press release to keep journalists engaged. Tailor your follow-up to their specific interests, aligning it with their audience and the latest news cycle. For instance, link your sustainability award to relevant environmental trends, ensuring your story remains both topical and appealing.
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Joseph Mutinda
InsurTech | Public Relations & Corporate Communications Expert | Brand Manager | Digital Strategist
It's essential to not only be timely but also to personalize your follow-up pitch. Address the journalist by name and reference any past interactions or articles they've written that are relevant. Mention how your award or recognition relates specifically to their interests or past stories they've covered. Journalists are always looking for unique angles or exclusive content that can set their stories apart. If possible, provide new insights, data, or details that were not included in the original press release. For instance, discuss the innovative practices that led to your award, or share data that highlights the impact of your work. This makes your pitch more compelling and increases the likelihood of capturing their attention.
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Beatriz R.
É importante posicionar prêmios e rankings como reconhecimentos externos de grande credibilidade. Desse modo, ao abordar um jornalista com uma nova pauta, é possível mencionar as conquistas mais relevantes de determinado segmento, de forma breve, para reforçar o posicionamento e conhecimento da companhia.
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Talha Mahmood
Pro Link Builder→with hands-on experience in Crypto, Health, & SaaS Industries I Transforming B2B and B2C websites into Revenue generating machine with Premium Backlinks I Successfully managed over 10+ brands.
Don't let your press release fade into the inbox abyss! Here's how to craft a compelling follow-up (under a week!): - Personalize Your Pitch: Tailor your message to the journalist's interests and recent coverage. Show you've done your research! - Highlight Newsworthiness: Link your story to current trends or breaking news for added relevance. - Offer Exclusive Insights: Tease exclusive data, quotes, or interview opportunities to pique their curiosity. - Quantify Your Impact: Use stats and figures to showcase the scale and significance of your announcement. - Keep it Concise & Clear: Get straight to the point and reiterate the value your story offers to their audience.
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Kuldeep M.
Senior Technical Associate at Flavin Labs Pvt. Ltd. | Biotechnology | Microbiology | Project Manager | SURGE INTERN IIT KANPUR
One time at work, I received an award for outstanding performance. In my experience, showcasing awards and recognition in follow-up pitches can make a big difference. One thing I've found helpful is to be timely and relevant. For example, if you recently won an award for innovation, mention it when pitching a project that requires creative problem-solving.
The second rule of following up is to be concise and clear in your communication. Journalists are busy and receive hundreds of emails every day, so you need to stand out and get to the point quickly. Use a catchy subject line that highlights your award and recognition, and keep your email short and simple. Summarize the main points of your press release, explain why your story is newsworthy and valuable, and include a clear call to action. For example, you can ask them if they are interested in an interview, a quote, or a sample.
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Kuldeep M.
Senior Technical Associate at Flavin Labs Pvt. Ltd. | Biotechnology | Microbiology | Project Manager | SURGE INTERN IIT KANPUR
One time at work, I received an award for my outstanding performance on a project. In my experience, highlighting awards and recognition in follow-up pitches can boost credibility and demonstrate expertise. One thing I've found helpful is to briefly mention the award in the introduction or summary of the pitch, and then elaborate on how it reflects my skills and achievements during the presentation.
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Joseph Mutinda
InsurTech | Public Relations & Corporate Communications Expert | Brand Manager | Digital Strategist
Journalists often skim through emails due to their tight schedules. Structure your email in a way that key points can be quickly scanned. Use bullet points to summarize critical aspects of your recognition, such as the award’s significance, what set your entry apart, and the broader implications of your win. Your call to action should also be easy to follow. Avoid vague requests and instead be specific about what you’re offering and what you seek. For instance, instead of a generic "Are you interested in more information?", propose "Would you like an exclusive interview with our CEO on how this innovation is changing the industry?" This makes it easier for the journalist to decide and respond.
The third rule of following up is to be personal and polite in your tone and approach. Don't send generic or mass emails to multiple journalists, but rather tailor your pitch to each one individually. Address them by their name, compliment their work, and show that you've done your research on their publication and preferences. Also, be respectful of their time and workload, and avoid being pushy or demanding. For example, you can say that you understand if they are busy, but you would appreciate a quick reply or feedback.
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Kuldeep M.
Senior Technical Associate at Flavin Labs Pvt. Ltd. | Biotechnology | Microbiology | Project Manager | SURGE INTERN IIT KANPUR
One time at work, I received an award for outstanding performance. In my experience, showcasing awards and recognition in follow-up pitches can be effective for building credibility. One thing I've found helpful is to personalize the pitch and maintain a polite tone
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Ron Ng.
Driving Web3 projects to reach a community of 500k strong in 90 days | Strategy Advisor at BlockPR | A Web3 Strategist and Builder | an 8bit lover
I'd also suggest keeping the initial email short and to the point. Journalists receive tons of pitches daily, so highlighting the most compelling aspect of your story right away can capture their interest. Also, following up with a relevant update or new angle can show your story's evolving relevance.
The fourth rule of following up is to be creative and visual in your presentation and delivery. Don't just repeat the same information from your press release, but rather add some flair and personality to your pitch. You can use storytelling techniques, anecdotes, or quotes to make your story more engaging and memorable. You can also use visual elements, such as images, videos, or infographics, to showcase your award and recognition in a more appealing and impactful way. For example, you can share a photo of you holding your award, a video testimonial from a customer, or an infographic with some statistics or facts.
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Beatriz R.
O uso e aplicação de selos destes reconhecimentos em materiais específicos pode apoiar diretamente nesse pilar. Assinatura de e-mail, infográfico ou até mesmo uma imagem de assinatura simples ao final do release podem ser efetivas.
The fifth rule of following up is to be flexible and proactive in your response and follow-through. Don't expect the journalists to reply to your email immediately or to agree to your pitch right away. Be prepared to answer their questions, provide additional information, or negotiate the terms and conditions of the coverage. Also, be proactive in following up with them again if you don't hear back from them within a reasonable time frame, but don't overdo it or spam them. For example, you can send a friendly reminder after a few days, offer an alternative angle or source, or suggest a deadline or an exclusive.
The sixth rule of following up is to be grateful and supportive in your relationship and collaboration with the journalists. Don't forget to thank them for their interest, time, and coverage, and show your appreciation and respect. Also, be supportive of their work and their publication, and offer to help them with any other stories or topics they might need. You can also share their articles on your social media, website, or newsletter, and tag them or mention them. For example, you can say that you are honored and delighted to be featured, that you enjoyed working with them, and that you look forward to hearing from them again.
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Joseph Mutinda
InsurTech | Public Relations & Corporate Communications Expert | Brand Manager | Digital Strategist
Journalists are people like you and I meaning how you communicate with them matters. Go beyond generic expressions of gratitude by personalizing your thanks. Its important to mention specific aspects of the journalist's work that you found insightful or impactful. For example, you could say, "I particularly appreciated how you highlighted the innovative aspects of our project, which captured the essence of our goals." Maintain communication with journalists even when you don’t have immediate news to share. Send them occasional updates about your industry, interesting data points, or upcoming events that might interest them. Keeping in touch shows that you value the relationship beyond specific stories.
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