We are well into the countdown to Christmas now so I thought a few tips on festive pitches would not go astray.
The glossy magazines work three months in advance so you’ve missed those deadlines, but that doesn’t mean you’ve wasted the chance for Christmas promotion altogether. Set your sights on your local media, online publications and websites and state-based daily newspapers. These outlets are all still looking for festive stories, so get thinking of how your business can be the one they feature.
Here are seven tips to help you along:
• Give yourself the best chance with a snappy headline and by offering two alternative pitches if the first one isn’t right for the outlet
• Don’t limit yourself to festive products/services. Of course if you’re pitching a Christmas angle, it must be related but you can comment on trends in your industry at this time of the year, offer expert advice on a national story to make it relevant locally or get involved in a community or charity event
• If you are sending product information, make sure to include where it can be purchased, the price and a short description
• Don’t forget images can make or break a story. If you’ve got great images to help your pitch, send them
• It’s not too late until the jolly red man has jumped down the chimney. Journalists will be working even while you’ve switched off to celebrate Christmas so if you’ve got an angle, make sure they see it
• Don’t tie yourself just to Christmas. Think about how your product or service is relevant to all the New Year stories and create a fresh start pitch
• Tailor your pitch. Yes, I know this isn’t festive, but it’s relevant with every pitch you send to the media – use the journalist/blogger’s name, show how your pitch is relevant to their audience and give contact details so they can get hold of you if they want to find out more.
Now you’ve read my tips what are you going to pitch? And don’t forget to start planning for next year’s holidays once you’re finished with Christmas. Think Back to School, Valentine’s Day, St Patrick’s Day, Autumn, Easter…
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