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Landing stories on the front page of major print publications is possible.
Here's a quick overview of how it happened for me:
- Front page of the Seattle Times
- Front page of the business section of the NY Times
1/9
Here's a quick overview of how it happened for me:
- Front page of the Seattle Times
- Front page of the business section of the NY Times
1/9
The Seattle Times story happened suddenly. Been following several of their reporters for quite some time on Twitter. Would actually read their stories and then reshare with my thoughts, sometimes ask questions.
2/9
2/9
One day, they needed last-minute source & I just happened to fit the criteria. I responded instantly, quick phone call later & a photographer was on the way a few hours later.
Ended up on the front page, didn't know that until it went to print.
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/jobs-engine-revs-up-in-state/
3/9
Ended up on the front page, didn't know that until it went to print.
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/jobs-engine-revs-up-in-state/
3/9
NY Times took a little more effort. I was representing a very young payments startup, focusing on the church donation market. One columnist at the Times was the ideal person to care about our story ( @ronlieber). He covered money, tech and also charitable giving.
4/9
4/9
[REQUIRED: You have to know the areas they cover and personally care about]
This means, before I ever did a cold outreach to Ron (who was so gracious the whole time) I knew what he wrote about, had read many of his stories and saw that he was planning to write a book.
5/9
This means, before I ever did a cold outreach to Ron (who was so gracious the whole time) I knew what he wrote about, had read many of his stories and saw that he was planning to write a book.
5/9
The timing wasn't right yet, but over the next 3-5 months Ron & I conversed about his stories, questions he had, updates I had & eventually he sent me an advance copy of his book to review (which I gladly did & featured on our blog).
https://pushpay.com/blog/7-steps-for-raising-generous-children/
6/9
https://pushpay.com/blog/7-steps-for-raising-generous-children/
6/9
Then, the opportunity came.
I got a phone call one afternoon, story was in motion about Apple's changes to their app story policies, impacting donation-based apps. Deadline was tight, but got one of the co-founders on the phone and the quotes ended up getting used.
7/9
I got a phone call one afternoon, story was in motion about Apple's changes to their app story policies, impacting donation-based apps. Deadline was tight, but got one of the co-founders on the phone and the quotes ended up getting used.
7/9
Story ended up front page of the business section that weekend.
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/30/your-money/one-tap-giving-extra-steps-mire-mobile-donations.html
8/9
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/30/your-money/one-tap-giving-extra-steps-mire-mobile-donations.html
8/9
So, in short:
1/ Know the reporters in your beat
2/ Follow them, build a relationship, be personal. Don't just cram pitches down their throat all the time.
3/ Read what they write, help them promote their work
4/ Opps to pitch will appear over time (maybe!)
9/9
1/ Know the reporters in your beat
2/ Follow them, build a relationship, be personal. Don't just cram pitches down their throat all the time.
3/ Read what they write, help them promote their work
4/ Opps to pitch will appear over time (maybe!)
9/9
