Goal Diggers, we all know pitching yourself is one of THE best ways to get create opportunities, but sometimes it can get tricky. Today, I want to focus on the secrets that rarely get taught but can make a GIANT impact on how often you are booking sponsorships, connections, jobs, podcast interviews… Whatever it is, it usually starts with a rock-solid pitch.
If you aren’t pitching yourself to companies or business opportunities yet, it’s FINALLY time to get on board. And if you are, it’s time to make sure your pitches are delivering to their full potential because it is one of the most unique, impactful ways to move your business forward.
Pitching yourself isn’t a new thing, but with technology and so much online communication, pitching yourself or your services has evolved! We have a few different tactics in this episode that will teach you how to reach your dream clients and reach your perfect audience. It can be intimidating absolutely, but it is so incredible because it allows you to connect with others in a way that can majorly change your business!
Let’s dig in and get specific on the strategy around pitching yourself and the many ways to utilize your introduction, from what credentials to include, what they actually want to know about you, and how to create your dream partnerships. We are covering it ALL! Ya ready?
Don’t be cookie cutter!
This first step is probably the most important. DO NOT be cookie cutter. I can’t even tell you how many emails I receive in my inbox every day that are clearly sent from a “one size fits all” template. I am telling you — people can sense authenticity from a mile away! If you send the same copy & pasted pitch to every person, you likely won’t get very far!
Take it from someone with a VERY full email inbox, if you write a generic pitch with no details or personality the reader WILL notice… Or should I say will NOT NOTICE you. Simply put, you will 100% blend in. And Goal Digger, as I always say, why blend in when you were born to stand out!
Hook ‘Em Early
Another important step is to hook them early, and what I mean by that is to make your intro grabbing enough that they can’t resist reading on!
There are so many ways to hook your reader early. If you have a mutual contact or connection, this is a great place to mention that! However, even if you don’t have a contact to mention, ensure that your first few sentences are compelling and strategic. Set the stage, make a bold statement, share a fun fact — whatever feels aligned to your mission, but take advantage of the compelling nature of your pitch and reel them in with a story, memorable sentence, or experience to hook ’em on ya!
Personal experience
One of the best ways to have your pitch stand out amongst the masses is to genuinely show you appreciate the person you are pitching to and understand their mission. Whether it is a podcast, a magazine, a writing feature, or a business partnership, show you know them.
For example, when someone pitches to be on Goal Digger, we love hearing SPECIFIC stories of how the show has helped them in their dream catching ventures. Instead of saying, “Hi Jenna, I loved episode number 168: How to Gain Big Influence in 5 Easy Steps with Emily Sexton” and nothing else…
It would be better to say, “I have been a long-time listener of Goal Digger, but once I listened to Emily Sexton’s episode on harnessing my influence, my business has changed entirely. I learned how to feel empowered in my voice, create change in my business model, and have actually started a new mission to partner with artisan partners like Emily does!”
While this is hypothetical, can’t you feel the HEART within their Goal Digger experience in the second example? Right away, I can tell they are a true Goal Digger fan, and that in itself goes a long way!
Keep in mind, it doesn’t need to be extra long or extra sappy, but do your absolute best to convey real-life experiences that you really have used their work firsthand and truly appreciate them. That’s one sure-fire way to stick out from the first sentence and hook them into reading more.
Talk About What You Have To Offer
The golden rule of pitching: make it about THEM. Not you! Just like any situation where you’re selling something, you want to identify a pain point or a void they are experiencing and provide a solution to their problem or a need.
Going back to a Goal Digger pitch, someone could say, “A resource that is incredibly value to entrepreneurs is XYZ and I noticed you haven’t had an episode on this topic before…”
Not only should your idea be original enough to catch an editor’s eye, but it should also address a need — a need that YOU can answer! You need to be able to clearly communicate the void that is there and how you have a solution ready to rock!
Do the Leg Work
Once you identify the pain point, make it clear that you have done the research and are an expert in area you are pitching… you want to leave no doubt that you are the person for the job. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you include your resume, ramble on about yourself or every credential you’ve ever gotten, but make sure you highlight a few items that add to your credibility on the pain point. Keep this short and sweet, but pack a punch that YOU are exactly the right person for the job.
What’s In It For Them
Next facet to focus on is what is in it for THEM. Going back to the Golden Rule of Pitching, make your pitch about THEM, not you. Talk about how you will align with their audience, spread the word about their show, and why you would bring value to them. I can honestly say that is the biggest piece to pitching yourself, and I want you to sink this in!
Previous Experience
Mmm, I love this section! Whatever type of pitch you are making, make sure to highlight your previous experience. Again, this isn’t a time to ramble on about yourself, but a time to highlight that you are an expert that can help THEM.
If you are applying for a podcast, write down some previous shows you have been on. If you are pitching a business deal, include clientele that is similar to them. As a writer, include topics you have covered and magazines you’ve been in. As a photographer, include any publications you have been in Whatever it is, make sure you make it clear that you have plenty of experience in the industry and you’ll be easy to work with. This is a great time to highlight any “big names” and make sure the reader can tell that you are well-versed in your industry.
Statistics
An incredibly important way to stick out is sharing your statistics. What do I mean by this? Sharing your social media following: Instagram, Facebook Fans, downloads, engagement rate, followers, whatever it is, this is a great thing for the reader to know. With just a few numbers, they can get a feel for how large your audience is, who your demographic is, and potentially how you could share their work with your audience!
Speaking personally, I am a numbers person and it is so helpful when a pitch includes their media kit and/or blatant numbers (such as podcast downloads, iTunes rankings, email list numbers, etc.) It helps me see if it is a great partnership and how big their audience is. While this isn’t the biggest factor in a pitch, it can undoubtedly sway the reader! Numbers are an awesome way to share how big your influence is in a black-and-white way.
Brag On Yourself
Something that can be so hard to do, but is so important. Brag on yourself! A pitch is not the time to play small… Share your biggest accomplishment, link to your TEDTALK, share your website URL, and highlight some of your skills and following.
It might feel odd (especially at first) but you want to stick out and not blend in! As long as you come from a place of serving and not selling your reader will not think you are arrogant. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, they are THANKFUL for the information on you and your career! Truthfully, it’s less research they have to do about you. Give them the important details you want displayed right in the pitch. Don’t count on them visiting your website to see it!
Pitch Some Ideas For Collaboration
And, finally, the most important piece, in my opinion. Pitch some ideas for collaboration! Don’t make these cookie cutter. Again, make it specific to THEM.
For example, when people apply to be on the podcast, I am much more likely to consider someone who pitches 3-5 ideas for topics on their potential show. While I might not like some of them, usually 1 or 2 of them make me think, “Ooh, that’s a great idea!” Not only does it show they understand Goal Digger and align with our mission, it allows a moment for me to think, “Ooh, we do need an episode on THAT!”
Keep in mind, there is no point to doing this if you pitch general topics like business, marketing, etc. You want it to be grabbing and unforgettable. For example, I have pitched, “PASSIVE INCOME 101: How I Made 6 Figures During a Month Long Vacation in Hawaii” and other highly specific topics.
Craft ideas that you are an EXPERT in and make them grabbing. This goes far beyond pitching to a podcast. If you are pitching to a magazine, attach a unique writing prompt. If you are looking to collaborate with a brand, tell them what you envision for a photoshoot and how you would make it happen. If you are pitching as an interior designer, attach a Pinterest board. Whatever you are doing, show that you have done your homework and are ready to fill a void in their life!
Make Sure They Get To Know YOU!
And lastly, one important reminder: It is easy in a pitch to make it all about business and accomplishments, but never forget to lace personal details throughout! Make sure they get to know YOU in your pitch. Now, I don’t necessarily mean tell your life story, but make sure they feel a personality behind the pitch and can see you as a real PERSON, not just a business.
If you remember episode 148 with Brandice, you heard the tale of a rockstar woman who has raised over $2 MILLION in investment for her company. It took her figuring out one secret to make it happen — Brandice said it took her years of pitching her business before she realized that SHE had to bond with the person before they would bond with her business. By showing up authentically, fully, and working hard, she made a name for HERSELF and subsequently, made a name for her business. To learn more about bringing personality to your pitch, tune into Brandice’s episode, too. Number 148! It is the perfect follow up to this episode. This is the general structure of a pitch, and Brandice will teach you how to ensure you bring it HOME!
There you have it, a few tricks that are up my sleeve to ensure that you message gets seen, remembered, and that you get hired!
The true secret is that a great pitch takes work. It’ll take a bit of time and research, but that little bit of extra energy you put in is what will ensure that YOU stick out. A pitch truly is one of the most organic, incredible ways to create different opportunities for yourself! It’s your chance to reach out to dream clients and make your mark. Don’t forget to go to episode number 148 with Brandice right after this to maximize all the pitching goodness.
Just one last reminder: The most beautiful part is that ANYONE in the world can pitch themselves to ANYONE. It might not always work out, but there is never, ever any shame in reaching out. It’s your world, your life, and it’s time to pitch YOU! You’ve got this, Goal Diggers!
