Let’s be real: scoring media coverage is a bit like dating. You put yourself out there, tailor your message, make it snappy, and wait—only to be ghosted. Sound familiar? If your media pitches are getting ignored more than texts on a Sunday morning, you’re not alone.

Journalists receive hundreds of pitches a day, and most of them? Straight-up ignored. Not because your story isn’t worth telling, but because something in your pitch triggered the dreaded “delete” button. After digging into industry insights from PR experts at Cision, Forbes, Public Relations Sydney, and more, we’re dishing out the cold hard truth about why media pitches fail—and how to turn that ‘nah’ into a ‘yes.’

1. Your Pitch Screams “Mass Email”

Journalists can sniff out a spray-and-pray pitch faster than you can hit send. Generic subject lines, zero personalization, and boilerplate intros? They’re a one-way ticket to the trash bin.

Fix it: Know who you’re pitching. Reference their recent work, match their tone, and explain why your story is uniquely relevant to them and their audience. This isn’t a newsletter—it’s a conversation starter.

2. Weak Subject Line, Weak Open

Think of your subject line like the opening scene of a movie. If it doesn’t hook your attention, you’re changing the channel. PR pros agree: your subject line determines whether your pitch gets opened at all.

Fix it: Make it punchy, timely, and curiosity-inducing. Avoid clickbait—but give them a reason to care. Example? Instead of “New app launches this month,” go with “This AI App Helps Teachers Grade 30% Faster—Here’s How.”

3. No Actual Story Angle

Here’s the thing: not everything is a story. “We launched a new product” doesn’t cut it unless there’s a unique twist, data point, or cultural tie-in.

Fix it: Find the so what? in your story. Tie your pitch to a current trend, human interest, or conflict. Journalists are hunting for narratives, not advertisements. Show them how your story fits into a larger conversation.

4. You Didn’t Do Your Homework

Pitching a business feature to a tech editor? Sending health content to someone who only covers entertainment? That’s like sending a wedding invite to your ex. Just… no.

Fix it: Before hitting send, check the journalist’s beat, recent stories, and editorial tone. Use tools like Muck Rack or simply scroll through their past articles. You’ll build respect and relevance in one go.

5. You’re Too Self-Promotional

Look—we get it. You want to hype your brand. But if your pitch reads like a press release or sales sheet, it’s game over. Media coverage isn’t free advertising—it’s earned storytelling.

Fix it: Flip the script. Make your story about their readers, not about you. Focus on the problem you solve or insight you bring, not the shiny features of your product.

6. Timing Is All Off

Pitching a holiday shopping piece in January? Or sending a last-minute idea for a monthly mag with a 3-month lead time? That’s just poor form.

Fix it: Learn editorial calendars and pitch well in advance. For print media, think months ahead. For online and broadcast, weeks (or even days) might work—but the earlier, the better. Also, avoid pitching during breaking news or major events unless you’re directly relevant.

7. You Buried the Lede

Journalists don’t have time to read War and Peace in your inbox. If your key point is buried in paragraph four, guess what? They’ll never see it.

Fix it: Get to the good stuff in the first two sentences. What’s the news? Why now? Why should they care? Once you have their attention, then go into details.

8. You Didn’t Include the Right Assets

Sending a pitch with no images, quotes, or links to sources? That’s like giving someone a sandwich with no bread. Journalists are busy—they don’t want to chase you down for extras.

Fix it: Always attach (or link to) high-res images, a concise press kit, or expert bios. Include links to video clips, past media, or any proof that your spokesperson is media-ready.

9. You Followed Up Like a Creep

There’s a fine line between persistence and pestering. A follow-up is totally fine—two is acceptable. But if you’re emailing every day asking “Did you get my pitch?”, it’s a no from them.

Fix it: Wait 3–5 days, then send a short, polite follow-up. Offer to provide something new—like a stat, quote, or interview angle. And if they don’t respond after that? Let it go.

10. Your Pitch Was Just… Boring

Last but not least: If your pitch didn’t spark curiosity, emotion, or intrigue, it probably didn’t land. Harsh? Maybe. True? Definitely.

Fix it: Storytelling matters. Use compelling language, vivid examples, and show the real-life impact. Treat your pitch like a mini-feature. Make the journalist say, “Wow, I want to cover this.”

Final Thoughts

Pitching the media isn’t easy—it’s part strategy, part empathy, part timing, and a whole lot of finesse. But once you nail your angle, speak directly to the journalist’s beat, and make it about the audience instead of yourself? That’s when you start getting callbacks instead of crickets.

So keep refining, keep learning, and most importantly—keep pitching like a human, not a robot.

Maximize Your Brand’s Reach with Expert Media Placement

Ready to stop the rejection cycle and finally book national TV appearances or industry-specific podcast spots? Our TV booking agents at OTA Talent know how to pitch with precision and place you where it counts—on TV, radio, podcasts, and across digital media. It’s time to get your brand the spotlight it deserves. Call now.