Aug 6 2009 - How PR Can Craft Ten-Second Phone Pitches That Turn Editors' Heads and Earn More Headlines

PR and marketing professionals who want to improve their media placement skills and learn top phone pitching techniques to use when calling the press will discover practical strategies at a new audio conference from Bulldog Reporter's PR University: "Advanced Media Pitching Practice Session: How PR Can Craft Ten-Second Phone Pitches that Turn Editors' Heads and Earn More Headlines." Attendees will come away with the magic words journalists want to hear the moment they answer the phone, as well as a step-by-step process for dramatically increasing media coverage. You'll also learn to avoid common pitching faux pas and instead hit editorial hot buttons that score media coverage -- without feeling awkward, embarrassed or "pushy."

This exclusive, dial in PR University audio conference takes place on Thursday, August 6th, at 1PM EDT (noon CDT; 11AM MDT; 10AM PDT). Its panel includes some of the nation's leading journalists and PR experts:

-- Harry Medved, Director, Public Relations, Fandango
-- Terry Stanley, West Coast Editor, Brandweek
-- Richard Laermer, CEO, RLM Public Relations; Publisher, "BadPitchBlog"
-- Bennett Kleinberg, Vice President, Goodman Media International, Inc.

This 90-minute interactive call will give public relations professionals actionable insights, tips and skills on the key elements of a stellar phone pitch, how to best rehearse a pitch and how to avoid "voice mail jail." PR pros will also have the opportunity to hear others pitch, receive expert criticism and put their own pitches to the test. Here are some of the practical and immediately applicable techniques attendees will cover in this audio conference:
-- What motivates editors and their staff -- and how to use this
knowledge for more successful phone, email and in-person pitches
-- The psychology of successful pitches -- what every PR person must know
about the story sales process to compel coverage over the phone or in
person
-- What grabs a journalist in the first ten seconds of any pitch -- and
how you should take advantage of it
-- The best times to call reporters -- and the time periods to avoid at
all costs
-- Editorial Hot Buttons: News pegs, future trends, divisive issues,
dramatic hooks and other sure-fire ways to supercharge your phone, email or
in-person pitch
-- How to craft a compelling verbal pitch -- and deliver it without
sounding scripted

Attendance at Bulldog Reporter's PR University audio conference costs $299 per telephone site. Participants in the 90-minute call will be able to pose specific questions for the panelists at several junctures during the discussion. Attendees of PR University conferences receive one credit toward PRSA accreditation maintenance. Registration also includes an up-to-the-minute conference manual and a full transcript. For more information on taking part in the event, go to our conference home page or phone toll free: 1-800-959-1059.