Last week, I had the blind luck to present right before Artie Isaac at SummitUp. If you don’t know Artie, you should.
Artie Isaac co-founded SpeakerSite and the Young Isaac Agency. He also teaches creativity, consumer behavior, copywriting and the history of advertising at The Ohio State University and the Columbus College of Art & Design. Artie started his career with agencies in New York, including Ogilvy & Mather. He holds an MBA in Marketing from Columbia and a BA in English Literature from Yale.
So what do I mean by blind luck? Well Artie’s presentation rocked the house and I would have hated to follow it. But there was some wonderful synergy between my presentation on storytelling and Artie’s presentation on social media as a vehicle for creativity.
Artie’s inspirational speech on creativity convinced me to interview him for the Bad Pitch Blog. While I ask Artie about tips for more creative pitches, he actually gives us a bigger picture perspective from his own experience. And I think it's even more applicable and can be applied to your media relations approach.
Great advice! It is so simple and yet something that many PR practitioners should be aware of. As an upcoming graduate of public relations, it is comforting to know that it's okay to be yourself during a pitch. I can't imagine trying to be something you're not during an entire lunch meeting!
ReplyDeleteWhen pitching a story you must adhere to the media's wants and needs; however, you have to be realistic too. If you don't have something to offer the media then don't act like you do. These actions will do more damage than good when you realize you can not back up your promises!
Some (of my) pitches are better retired to the Bad Pitch Blog.
ReplyDeleteIf you can't win 'em, bad pitch 'em.
I think Artie's comment is not about pitching media, it's about pitching your business to a prospect. And that more than pitching the media it is genius advice. Absolutely right on. Problem, you have to be able to walk away. Sometimes when you need the cash you take the gig.
ReplyDeleteThe quicker you can get focused in on those organizations that fit your chemistry and who value what you bring, the happier you'll be.
I think it is definitely important to be yourself when pitching a story. It is quite difficult to be anything other than yourself everytime you are to pitch a different person or organization.
ReplyDeleteChanging your personality can turn out to be a very tiring thing in the long run. Only you can be the very best you. If you're confident with who you are, it will show in your delivery and will say alot about you. Being yourself from the very beginning will also save you lots of energy and time.
Artie's advice is great to hear as a student in Public Relations. I can see how it would be easy to try to be what the client wants you to be in order to win the pitch. However, if you aren't being yourself, it is impossible to do your best work. In fact, you're not even doing your own work if you're not being yourself. I guess the universal advice to "Be Yourself" applies in all areas of life, personal and professional.
ReplyDeleteSo simple and to-the-point! This wisdom can and should guide you in so much more than pitching media, but in practically every aspect of your life.
ReplyDeleteBe yourself, offer to help. Some will need it, some won't. But you'll always be remembered, and always be true to yourself. Opportunities will abound, often from places you'd never expect, if you follow these principles.
Thanks for a great post!