As awkward as the cold ask can be, being able to craft compleling pitch emails is essential in helping you secure opportunities like guest blogs, podcast appearances, speaking events, and more. Whether you're reaching out to influencers in your niche or potential collaborators, this post will guide you on how to create emails that get noticed and bring opportunities to your doorstep.
Crafting an Email Pitch
The Subject Line: The Gateway to Your Pitch
The subject line is the first thing your recipient sees, and it should convey the purpose of your email without resorting to clickbait.
"[INTERVIEW REQUEST] Author of [Your Book Title]" or "<PITCH> Please feature [Your Name]" are both effective in grabbing attention while maintaining professionalism.
Paragraph 1: Flattery with Specificity
Beginning with flattery can make your pitch more appealing. However, generic compliments won't cut it. You must show that you've done your research by mentioning the recipient's work, such as a previous episode of their podcast, blog, or other projects. Specificity adds a personal touch that demonstrates your genuine interest.
For instance, "I love your podcast. My favorite episodes were [specific episodes]. You do such a fantastic job of [mention specific strengths]."
Paragraph 2: The Introduction and Connection
Here is where you introduce yourself in a way that's not only informative but also relatable to the recipient. If you can connect your work to theirs, it's a valuable touchpoint that showcases your alignment and mutual benefit. Here is also where you can provide a concise summary of your book, setting the stage for what comes next.
Paragraph 3: The Pitch - Tailored and Targeted
The core of your email is where you present your pitch and ask them if they would be interested in hosting you for an interview or a guest post.
Crafting a bullet-point list of 3-6 potential topics that are specific to the recipient's podcast, blog, or event. This targeted approach demonstrates that you've considered their audience and how your expertise can provide value.
Paragraph 4: Gratitude and Enthusiasm
End your email on a positive note. Express your appreciation for the recipient's time and consideration.
Follow-Up: The Gentle Reminder
If you don't receive a response, a well-timed follow-up can make all the difference. Send a follow-up email a few days later summarizing the original email to increase your chances of getting noticed. If there is still no response, consider following up once last time in a week or two.
Crafting compelling pitch emails is a skill that can open doors to numerous book marketing opportunities for fiction authors. As uncomfortable as it may be, an effective pitch email can be the key to opening doors.