How Not to Pitch (Insert Site Here)
This may be the crown jewel in my Wall of Shame for bad pitches thus far. Note what I’ve bolded …
Hi
I’m <name>, I’m a tech writer and I’m looking for opportunities to contribute interesting and original articles to relevant blogs and websites like (insert site here)
Would you be interested in me writing a free article for your site? I specialize in articles related to the internet, satellite TV, mobile broadband, 4G LTE and mobile phones. If you think something like this might appeal to your audience, please get back in touch and I will send over some suggestions for topics that I have in mind.
I understand your site is all about social media and public relations, but I know that I can write an article that pretains to something about social media in the mobile phone world.
Let me know if this sounds of interest?
Thank you,
I almost fell for it until I saw the (insert site here) bit at the end of the first sentence (which doesn’t even technically end, since there’s no period).
Gotta love anything that gives you a laugh, right?
Happy Friday!
Image: jox. via Flickr, CC 2.0
If you can get past the first paragraph, my personal favorite is the last. I know you write about social media and public relations, but I'm SO GOOD that I think you should change your focus just for me.
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ginidietrich Yea. It's all about ME. MEMEMEMEMEMEME! ;)
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Oooh that's bad. But at least this person is trying? :)
Grinblo I don't call this trying... I call it laziness!
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Shonali There are two sides to this. One is the receiving side and honestly, I would not take this seriously either. But then again, knowing what it's like when you're sending lots and lots of emails and no one replies, it can be tough. It happened to me once or twice in my life that I forgot the change a name in a copy-paste fit. I felt horrible and that person wasn't impressed, yet, it's not that the pitcher is necessarily lazy. More like sad and inexperienced.
Grinblo That's possible. But the "insert site here" bit clearly came from a form letter (or email). I remember times I've had to pitch several writers/bloggers, and I was so scared of using the wrong site/outlet name, I'd just remove their email address from the "to" field until I was sure my email was personalized (and even though I start by drafting a clear pitch, I always personalize each and every email). Only then would I hit "send."
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Hmm, at least the dude should get credit for knowing the primary theme on your blog, Shonali!
Soulati | PR LOL. I suppose so, and that he's not pitching me to write about aliens... oh, wait, that's HowieSPM ...
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OMG.. the [insert here] isn't part of your headline, it's real. That is just sad.
3HatsComm I know! Though I do think it made for the perfect headline...!
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Your tweet brought me over, D...I thought that was the case, too!! 3HatsComm
This makes me wish I had the time to create a new website: www.insertsitehere.com
It would be a collection of pitch horror stories . . . and dancing cats. Why the cats? Why not!
Shanan Did you check to see if that URL's available? How funny would that be?!
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It's pathetic how many emails I've received in recent months from people wanting to contribute articles on my blog. I normally welcome guest writers with open arms -- but not when it is clear the sender is someone who never visited my blog (because I'd know if he or she commented, a clear sign of someone dedicated to creating conversations) -- and includes links to articles written on article repository websites.
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Ari Herzog Did you read markwschaefer 's post a while back on a really good guest post he published, only to find out the guy never actually wrote it?
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Shonali Yes, markwschaefer emailed me about it for the person also contributed an article for me.
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So glad I don't pitch. I can imagine how many do it poorly. I have a hard enough time creating sales proposals and my media kit. PR and Journalism are very unique in this form of approachment.
HowieSPM They're the reason so many good publicists get a bad rap... at least, one of the reasons.
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This is too funny. I recently received a similar email requesting a guest post (on my little blog, mind you!) and it obviously came from a template like this one.
marianne.worley LOL! How did you respond?
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Shonali I was pretty busy that day, so unfortunately I didn't have time for a clever, sarcastic response. I just said no thank you. Boring, but true. :-)
marianne.worley And very nice, too!
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In addition, mis-spellings are a turn-off for me ... should be pertains, not pretains ;)
tressalynne I was so caught up by the "insert site here" bit, I didn't even catch that until you pointed it out!
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tressalynne Now that's a graver mistake from a writer, if you ask me. At leat the "insert site here" is spelled correctly ;)
You mean that's NOT how its done? NO WONDER i never get emails back! I need to fire my virtual assistant I think....
Shonali I fired him I swear! I only hired him because I felt sorry for him. :)
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[...] and package it the right way to earn that positive exposure. Don’t believe me? Here’s how NOT to pitch, either the media or a [...]