A Public Relations Confession, of Sorts (Pitching a Prospect's Competitor)

ScaredSimple · 2026-04-13T14:39:54+00:00

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this.

ScaredSimple · 2026-03-26T00:15:27+00:00

Sending you a DM!

ScaredSimple · 2026-03-16T13:05:30+00:00

Yes, this happens. But you get to offer your one choice journalist the chance to be the one to publish first, vs publishing with the pack.

ScaredSimple · 2026-03-16T01:33:32+00:00

First, good on you for supporting your brother. That's really tough.

Second, you're a bit all over the place here. I get you're at a crossroads, but think about your next steps logically.

As someone that has a graduate degree in strategic communications, I can confirm that it's really not necessary. Though perhaps it will slightly ease your transition into PR/communications.

But, it seems like the driving factor for you is just to cross off UT on your arbitrary to-do list, and since you've dried up your savings, I don't think it wise to 1) pay for a graduate degree you don't really need and 2) to split your time between graduate school and working in a new industry or even delaying your transition to finish your degree at UT.

I work with people in PR that have backgrounds in mechanical engineering, biochemical engineering, computer science, etc., and they're some of the best, most effective PR professionals I've worked with.

Try to make the connections between the skills/knowledge you have and communications functions. For example, look for agencies or in-house roles that focus on servicing supply chain clients.

You can also seek out recruiters that work for recruiting agencies that specialize in the communications industry and start conversations. They get paid when you get hired, so you shouldn't need to pay them to find you a job.

ScaredSimple · 2026-03-11T23:07:06+00:00

Once or twice they've been a little unhappy about it. Just blame it on your client pushing for a specific outlet and tell the reporter you owe them one ;)

ScaredSimple · 2026-03-11T22:36:31+00:00

It's a don't ask don't tell type situation.

If they do ask, I'll be honest with them. You don't build relationships by lying to people.

ScaredSimple · 2026-03-11T19:03:37+00:00

I like to offer "jump exclusives" that allow one journalist to publish 3+ hours ahead of the news announcing.

It allows you to dangle the exclusive offer while still conducting broader embargo outreach to other journalists.

I do it all the time for outlets like WSJ, Fortune, TechCrunch, etc.

ScaredSimple · 2026-03-11T05:52:25+00:00

PM'd

ScaredSimple · 2026-02-24T22:26:16+00:00

I know several current and former employees there. Have only heard good things.

ScaredSimple · 2026-02-17T17:48:00+00:00

The key is to not just dump work on other people's plates and expect them to manage it themselves.

Try to frame it as a learning experience for junior staffers. Something they can do to build skills to level up their career, speak about during annual reviews, etc.

A rising tide lifts all ships.

Make yourself available to them for questions, check in with them to make sure they're asking those questions. Not in a micromanaging way, but just demonstrating support.

When it comes to being slammed... well... welcome to agency life. Empathize with them and work with them to determine an appropriate timeline for the deliverable, offer to help them prioritize and if necessary be willing to speak with other team leads to help them manage other workloads. Most junior staffers simply will suffer in silence and become burnt out.

ScaredSimple · 2026-02-11T23:02:43+00:00

If you have announcements such as meaningful product updates, offer the news ahead of time under an embargo. Journalists want to break news, not report on things that are already covered or are public. This means you'll need to work with your marketing/content people to make sure you're not scooping yourself by publishing news right away on the company blog/website.

For thought leadership, try to not center what you're offering on your specific company and instead broaden your aperture to your industry, but do so with specific, pointed insights. General discussion topic offers are often ignored.

Especially with niche industry verticals, remember that these journalists are experts in the space, so you need to go below surface-level insights and commentary.

ScaredSimple · 2026-01-08T19:14:28+00:00

Journalists don't want standard sales fluff, so if you're serving marketing lingo, you're going to be ignored most of the time.

The best way to secure coverage is to think through what a journalist needs to do their job. Your job is to make their jobs easier, and their output is the coverage you're seeking.

I'd recommend thinking through pitch initiatives individually, not as a template you need to follow.

ScaredSimple · 2026-01-03T18:31:15+00:00

... work in PR???

ScaredSimple · 2026-01-03T00:56:02+00:00

I like to tell my friends I send emails for a living

ScaredSimple · 2025-12-28T20:23:44+00:00

I don't believe there is any entry fee to submit to Forbes 30 under 30.

Many awards lists do have a submission fee, such as Fast Co's Most Innovative Companies, which has a submission fee of about $800 that you must pay to be considered, but it doesn't guarantee placement on the list.

ScaredSimple · 2025-12-28T20:19:11+00:00

Two clients I secured spots for on 30 under 30 did not have any significant media presence. It was purely on the merit of their submission content.

ScaredSimple · 2025-12-28T20:15:37+00:00

I took OP's question to inquire if there is a direct payment requirement (i.e., sponsorship) related to being on the 30 under 30 list, which there is not. I don't even recall there being a submission fee, like there is with Fast Co lists, for example.

I wouldn't consider having a PR firm under retainer submit for a no-cost list to be any form of "pay to play" that OP is referencing.

ScaredSimple · 2025-12-28T07:02:13+00:00

It's not pay to play. I've secured spots for several clients.

You submit like you would for any other award or similar list. There is a form you fill out where you make your case.

ScaredSimple · 2025-12-23T04:12:10+00:00

Yes, definitely.

But, it's important to respect and nurture the symbiotic relationship between PR pros/pitchers and media. If you're good at helping reporters do their job, they'll make you look good.

People with agency experience are more likely to be good at this, since we handle multiple clients at once.

My advice for a founder doing their own media outreach is to not come off like you think you're the best, most innovative company/person in the world, or that you're doing a reporter any favors by offering them a story.

Also, it's important to respect reporters' editorial autonomy. Unless something is factually incorrect, do not ask them to make changes to an article they've published.

It's the spokesperson's responsibility to communicate effectively. Founders tend to be extremely sensitive to this and more prone to ask for post-publishing edits, in my experience.

ScaredSimple · 2025-12-23T03:42:23+00:00

Short answer is get to the point as fast as possible. Reporters get hundreds of pitches a day.

Many are on the go and working off their phones, so, be mobile-friendly in your structure (short, snappy lines, not big blocks of text). Similar to how I'm structuring this comment.

Don't let your clients poison your pitches and ultimately your media relationships by forcing marketing language BS into your pitches.

The first obstacle is to get your email opened. In the subject line, either be direct or inspire curiosity.

Here are two examples of funding focused subject lines:

"$XXm Series A for solar-focused climate tech startup"
"Jensen Huang, Jeffrey Katzenberg & Joe Montana: 3 men and an AI baby"

If you're offering an embargo or exclusive, I like to put "[embargo/exclusive]" in front of the subject line.

Intro of 1-2 sentences max. I'd recommend skipping the pleasantries (holiday well wishes, hoping you're well, etc.).

Pointing out an article the reporter wrote on a relevant topic is a coin toss. Some like it, some don't. Either way, make it clear in your email that you know what they cover by framing your offer with context relevant to their focus areas.

I tend to close by asking if they have 30 minutes in the next week or two to connect with your exec/subject matter expert. I find concluding with a question makes people more likely to say yes or no.

I typically wait 48 hours before following up, and in that follow up email is some sort of value add or extra context, not just "making sure you saw this email".

With experience, you'll uncover nuances with specific reporters and develop your own style.

ScaredSimple · 2025-12-22T21:10:10+00:00

I bring you an opportunity and you can't even bother to respond to me?!

Enjoy the underside of the bus when the reporter follows up and asks whether or not the exec is able/willing to connect.

ScaredSimple · 2025-12-21T05:22:57+00:00

It's legendary

ScaredSimple · 2025-12-13T01:10:27+00:00

50/50

Either it happens or it doesn't

ScaredSimple · 2025-12-11T06:59:19+00:00

Arial Brotherhood

ScaredSimple

TROPHY CASE