MPR professionals need to persuade connectors to use their message. It must be positioned as newsworthy. Common themes defining newsworthiness often include the following:

Firsts

Trends

Local, quirky personalities

The underdog

Impact on the audience

Something of an unusual nature

Part 1: Pre-Pitch: Using one of the companies that you began developing in the Unit 2 Individual Project, create a story that you wish to shop to a media outlet. Use the following guidelines:

1. Provide a brief overview of the company.

2. Describe the media outlet being pitched. Include information on its target audience (the media outlet must be real).

Part 2: Writing an Effective Pitch Letter: Write the pitch letter, which should include the following:

1. An attention-grabbing opening

2. The "hook"

3. Background information supporting the pitch

4. Support materials

5. The action step

Part 3: Follow-up and Other Considerations

1. Describe your follow-up plan.

2. Discuss the special considerations for pitching a blogger.