How To Pitch Your Story Idea to an Editor

Yard Safety Awareness
With all of the work that B&M has done for Kohler Engines (more than 20 years as a B&M client) and for outdoor equipment OEMs, I couldn't pass this up.  "Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man" tells us that he's pushing his own line of wristbands "...to promote yard safety awareness." (And people ask if I make these up. Uh, No.) Seems Rick had a run-in with a power mower some time back, and the score ended up "Mower, 1; Rick's Big Toe, 0."

In a press release Rick said, "I want to rescue people and animals from getting hurt due to a yard accident. I want to find a cure for yard accidents through research (‘Maybe a vaccine?' I ask sarcastically) and to create awareness through education and entertainment. I seek to collaborate with various organizations to promote yard safety awareness." I'm not exactly sure how a wristband will help but I'm really taken with his costume. (See Photo) Go to Rescue Rick.com to learn more. (Warning: At the very bottom of his web page Rick displays a photo of his toeless foot.)

Can You "Fast Pitch" a Story Idea to a Reporter?
A recent issue of Public Relations Tactics included an article on a "speed pitching" event in Utah. The event enabled business professionals to spend four minutes with individual business reporters pitching their stories before a buzzer went off and the person had to move on to another reporter.  How many story ides do you think the business reporter from the Salt Lake Tribune came away with? The answer is "two." And that exceeded his expectations. He offered the following tips to others who seek to pitch article ideas to the media.

1. Anticipate this question: "Why should I care?"
2. Pitch real stories. Reporters don't care that your company is wonderful or that your CEO is a great person.
3. Speak in short sentences and avoid hype. Also avoid jargon. If you can't explain your company or your points in everyday English, find someone to do the job for you.
4. Ask yourself, would you really want to read what you are offering. If the answer is "Yes," your idea will usually sell itself.

As an example of a story that's timely, topical and of interest to local readers, here's a link to an article idea that we pitched to a newspaper editor on behalf of CJ & Associates when that company was selected to supply furniture for the new Harley Davidson Museum. http://activepaper.olivesoftware.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q1RGLzIwMDcvMTIvMjcjQXIwMDYwMA==&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom

Last year, CJ & Associates was designated by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Council of Small Business Executives as one of the 50 fastest-growing private companies in southeastern Wisconsin. 

Don't Let This Happen to Your Children