What Techniques Do You Use to Successfully Pitch a Content Idea?
When it comes to pitching a content idea that stands out, we've gathered insights from six professionals, including founders and digital marketers. They share techniques ranging from organizing and clarifying your pitch to ensuring it aligns with the brand mission. Dive into the collective wisdom of these experts to refine your pitching strategy.
- Organize and Clarify Your Pitch
- Back Idea with Credible Data
- Leverage Unique Personal Stories
- Provide the Full Client Experience
- Use Fresh Data to Craft Narratives
- Narrate to Align with Brand Mission
Organize and Clarify Your Pitch
It's not just about the idea itself, but rather how you present it. A perfect pitch should include a quick intro, the topic itself, what the content will include, and a couple of examples of your past published work—in that order. Keep it short and sweet so the editor is likely to read it. Most importantly, be clear about what you want. The better you organize your pitch, the more likely you are to get a 'Yes'.
Back Idea with Credible Data
I always support it with credible data and real-world examples. It is essential to conduct in-depth research and compile information that bolsters the idea's chances of success. For example, I frequently utilize historical performance measurements or case studies to show how concepts like these have produced outcomes in the past. This strategy contributes to the development of trust and confidence in the idea's viability.
I take care to highlight the idea's unique value and how it fits with our objectives or the demands of the client while presenting it in an understandable and succinct manner. Stakeholders will be able to quickly understand the idea's advantages and potential effects in this way. I have discovered that it is easier to persuade others of the idea's worth and secure support for its implementation when evidence-based backing is combined with effective communication.
Leverage Unique Personal Stories
The technique I've used to successfully pitch a content idea is to tap into the unique stories and experiences within my network. For example, when pitching a series on remote-work productivity, we interviewed several successful remote workers and compiled their personal strategies and challenges. This approach provided fresh, real-world insights and demonstrated the practical relevance of the content to the client.
Provide the Full Client Experience
When I pitch an idea, I give the client the full experience. I tell them exactly what the angle is, what I plan to write, what kind of attention the piece is going to get them; I draw the whole picture. That really helps sell it because nowadays, a lot of clients are just interested in what something gets them, not necessarily in the piece itself, so you have to learn how to sell it.
Use Fresh Data to Craft Narratives
One technique I've used to successfully pitch a content idea is by finding out real-time data from recent healthcare studies to create compelling, timely narratives. This might take time, but using new and latest data always shows good results.
For instance, I once pitched an article on the impact of telemedicine in rural communities, supported by fresh data from a recent study. This approach not only showcased my expertise in interpreting current trends but also demonstrated the article's relevance and urgency. My advice is to stay updated with the latest research in your field and use that data to craft pitches that resonate with editors and their audiences.
Narrate to Align with Brand Mission
One of my go-to techniques for pitching a content idea is to create a compelling narrative that connects with our brand's mission and audience interests. For example, I once pitched a series on the cultural significance of different meat dishes around the world. I began by highlighting the uniqueness of the concept and how it aligns with our goal to educate and inspire meat enthusiasts. Then, I shared a detailed plan, including potential interviewees, recipe ideas, and multimedia elements to enrich the content. By weaving a story that not only informs but also engages and excites, I was able to secure buy-in from my team. It's crucial to show not just the what, but the why and how of the content, making it easy for others to see its potential impact.
