October was another insight-packed month inside the OnePitch Community, featuring three journalists who pulled back the curtain on how they evaluate pitches, what gets their attention, and what to avoid.
If you missed the live Pitch Paloozas, here’s a quick recap of what Sarah Sluis, Chris Kelly, and Chris Cluff shared about standing out in a busy inbox, and what’s next in November.
As Editorial Director at AdExchanger, Sarah Sluis reads hundreds of pitches every week. Her advice to PR pros? Don’t overthink it and just be clear, confident, and helpful.
Takeaways from Sarah’s Pitch Palooza:
Keep it short. Use paragraph breaks, get to the point, and make your pitch easy to skim.
Lead with data. Include key stats or metrics right away to show impact.
Use jargon wisely. Speak the industry’s language but avoid overstuffed buzzwords.
Ditch the flattery. Compliments that feel generic (“I love your work on…”) can turn journalists off.
Follow up once or twice, but by email only. LinkedIn messages are a no.
Sarah’s session reminded everyone that a confident, clean, and data-backed pitch beats a flashy one every time.
Want to learn more about pitching her? Download her pitch guide here:
Chris Kelly, Senior Reporter at Marketing Dive, covers campaigns, marketing strategy, and brand news for C-suite readers. He stressed that what matters most is relevance and transparency.
Pitching tips from Chris:
Put the brand first. Mention recognizable names early (Valvoline, Pepsi, Nike), anything that signals newsworthiness.
Be transparent. If a client or campaign can’t be named, it’s not the right fit.
Keep it tight. He’s an inbox-zero guy, so brevity wins.
Offer decision-makers. CMOs and senior marketers always drive stronger engagement.
Send embargoed news. Marketing Dive loves exclusives and timely launches.
Chris summed it up best: “We publish for CMOs, not consumers. Keep that in mind every time you hit send.”
Want to learn more about pitching him? Download his pitch guide here:
At Go Banking Rates, journalist Chris Cluff helps readers navigate personal finance, retirement, and savings topics. His biggest emphasis for PR folks? Get your details right.
Key takeaways from Chris:
Double-check your subject lines. They should always match your pitch.
Add authority. Include credible sources, advisors, or financial experts to back your claims.
Make it new. Studies and surveys work best when they reveal something fresh.
Think ahead. Send holiday and 2026 coverage ideas a full quarter early.
Know your reader. He writes for multiple generations but leans toward retirement-age readers.
For finance stories, precision and credibility are what separate a good pitch from a great one.
Want to learn more about pitching him? Download his pitch guide here:
We’re keeping the momentum going with two exciting sessions next month. Come ready with pitches and questions!
November 6: Pitch Palooza with Julia Cancilla, ELLE Decor
Pitches for her review are due October 30. Submit here.
Julia covers design, interiors, and lifestyle trends, and she loves creative angles tied to new collections, design collaborations, and seasonal features.
Sign up below to join her session:
November 12: Pitch Palooza with Sam Bradley, Digiday
Pitches for his review for our Pitch Palooza are due November 5. Submit here.
Sam writes about advertising, marketing innovation, and the business of media. Think data-driven storytelling, emerging ad formats, and brand experiments that move the industry forward.
Sign up below to attend his session:
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Check out our other recent Pitch Palooza recaps and guides:
Pitching Heather Taylor at GoBankingRates
Explore all Pitch Palooza insights and more pitching tips on The OnePitch Blog.