How do you craft a catchy media pitch for your book launch?

Here's my take: Before pitching, think of it like finding the right audience for a Disney movie. Imagine you're in "Finding Nemo," and your target media outlets are different ocean habitats. Research each outlet's topics, tone, format, and deadlines. Tailor your pitch to fit their needs, just like Nemo navigating through different waters. Avoid sending a generic pitch – show you've done your homework. By knowing your target, you'll reel in the right attention, just like Marlin's journey to find Nemo.

Even before knowing your target, it's very important to communicate to the podcaster in a knowledgeable way. The beginning sentence (or second) is to establish that you have information that you'd like to share with their audience NOT that you have a book to sell or a project to talk about. No one likes that. As a podcaster myself, I appreciate when the people pitching me understand that I have an audience and the topic needs to relate to them. It's crucial to have listened to at least two episodes of a podcast so you know the rhythm and style of the host (funny? serious? short and sweet?). Give me a short pitch with what your person can do for my audience and it could be a great match. Tell me what YOU need, I'm not as interested.

In the crowded world of book launches, a well-crafted media pitch is your ticket to success. Think of it as a personalized love letter to journalists, showcasing not only your book's brilliance but also your understanding of their audience's desires.

Start with a strong, attention-grabbing hook. Highlight what makes your book unique—whether it’s an exciting story, a fresh perspective, or a timely topic. Keep your pitch short and to the point, focusing on the value your book brings to the audience. Include a brief summary, why it’s relevant, and offer an interview or exclusive content. Personalize the pitch to each media outlet to show how your book aligns with their readers or viewers.

Here's my take: Think of your subject line like a Disney movie title - it needs to grab attention and spark curiosity right away. Imagine you're creating the title for "The Lion King" or "Aladdin." Keep it catchy, concise, and clear - like "The Lion King's" iconic "Circle of Life." Summarize your book's main benefit or angle, using numbers, questions, or statements that make them want to know more. Avoid hype or jargon - you want to be like Aladdin's magic carpet, flying smoothly and captivatingly. Use language that resonates, like "Discover the Secrets to Success" or "Unveiling the Mystery of Adventure." By hooking them with a captivating headline, you'll set the stage for an enchanting journey into your book.

My very first episode of my podcast Fiftysomething Love is titled, "The Sh*tty First Podcast" as a nod to Anne Lamott's brilliant line about "the sh*tty first draft" from Bird by Bird. That episode has far more downloads than any of the others. The headlines should be clear rather than clever, although I suppose most people wondered how it could possibly be that sh*tty! Another popular episode was when I interviewed a coach for women who wanted to leave an affair with a married man. I called it "the coach for the other woman." At first the guest thought it was misleading, but everyone wanted to listen so she decided it was true enough. Clever is great, but not at the expense of clear.

In the age of information overload, a captivating media pitch is your book's ticket to the spotlight. It's not just about selling your story; it's about crafting a narrative that resonates with journalists' unique needs and interests.

Hook with relevance; narrate with intent. A media pitch thrives when it seamlessly weaves your book’s value into the fabric of their audience’s needs, leaving them eager for more.

Here's my take: Think of your email like a Disney movie plot - it needs to engage from the start and leave them eager for more. Picture yourself as the storyteller of "Frozen," captivating your audience with a compelling tale. Start with a strong lead explaining why your book matters now. Then, share a bit about yourself and your book, keeping it concise like the beginning of "The Lion King." Highlight key points and how they benefit their audience, much like the lessons learned in "Moana." End with a clear call to action - whether it's requesting a review copy or scheduling an interview. By crafting a captivating story, you'll leave them enchanted and eager to learn more about your book.

To craft a catchy media pitch for your book launch by telling a story, start by identifying a captivating element of your book, such as a compelling character, an intriguing plot twist, or a relatable theme. Use this element to create a short, engaging narrative that draws the media contact in. Your story should evoke emotion, curiosity, or a strong visual image, making the recipient want to learn more. Ensure the narrative is relevant to the media outlet’s audience. Conclude by connecting the story back to your book and highlighting why it’s newsworthy. This approach makes your pitch memorable and engaging.

The biggest reason by people open an email (in a world where there are far too many emails every day) is the subject line. Clear wins over clever, but if the subject line is both clear and clever with a little bit of timeliness thrown in, the email will be read. No one has time for a story these days, so make it short, punchy, use bullet points and the tool I like best for the subject line is subject line dot com, which rates the proposed subject line and gives suggestions to change it. Whatever get the email opened, counts.

Your take perfectly encapsulates the essence of crafting an engaging email pitch. By likening the email to a Disney movie plot, you make the concept relatable and intriguing. Drawing parallels to iconic films like "Frozen," "The Lion King," and "Moana" adds a vivid imagery to the process. Your concise and clear instructions provide a roadmap for creating an email that captivates the recipient's attention and leaves them eager to learn more. Overall, it's a creative and effective approach to email pitching. Well done!

Here's my take: After sending your media pitch, it's time to follow up, like gently reminding a friend about plans. Be courteous and respectful, avoiding any pressure or spammy behavior. Wait a few days before reaching out again, restating your value proposition and expressing your continued interest. Like a gentle breeze, keep it polite and friendly. If you don't hear back after two or three follow-ups, it's okay to move on to other outlets or contacts. Just like exploring different paths in a Disney adventure, there are plenty of opportunities out there.

To craft a catchy media pitch for your book launch by following up, start by referencing your initial email to remind the recipient of your previous communication. Reiterate the key points about your book, such as its unique angle, relevance to the target audience, and any notable endorsements or reviews. Personalize the message to the media contact, showing you understand their interests and readership. Offer additional materials like review copies, interviews, or exclusive excerpts. Conclude by expressing appreciation for their time and consideration, and remain open to any further questions they may have.

Here's my take: Your media pitch is just the beginning of a relationship, much like the start of a Disney friendship. Treat your media contacts as partners, not just targets. Show appreciation for their time and attention, like thanking a friend for their support. Offer additional information or resources they may need, showing you're there to help with their story. Keep in touch beyond your book launch, like staying connected with a dear friend. Share their coverage, offer feedback, and support their work. By building rapport and trust, you'll foster long-term relationships that benefit both parties, much like the bonds formed in Disney tales.

When pitching your book to the media, focus on building a relationship. Your pitch is the start of an ongoing partnership, not a one-time transaction. Treat your media contact with respect and appreciation for their time. Thank them for their response, provide any additional information or resources they need, and offer to assist with their story. Stay in touch beyond your book launch—share their coverage, give feedback, and support their work. By fostering rapport and trust, you increase your chances of gaining more coverage and referrals in the future. This approach helps create a lasting, mutually beneficial relationship. I was able to land my client's book on Live with Kelly & Ryan with this strategy. Years later we still work together.

Consider using a subject line that incorporates a relevant current event or trend to pique interest, such as 'Harnessing AI for Next-Gen Storytelling: Insights from [Your Book Title].' This approach can align your book with timely topics and increase its relevance to media contacts."