Hello, marketeers! Hope you’re well and enjoying some lovely Spring vibes (if you’re an Australian friend)! I am!
Whilst it’s a new season, timewise, it’s also the season of book pitches over at my other network, Just Write For Kids Australia. What that means is that every September 1st we open our inaugural ‘Pitch It!’ competition for writers of children’s books. So today, I’m going to share some tips on pitching - whether you’re pitching face-to-face to a publisher, via a manuscript submission, a competition, or pitching your already published book to the media, the principles are all the same.
Here we go …
The purpose of the pitch is to get noticed. This means, you’ll want to grab the reader’s attention with an enticing, captivating and unique perspective. You’ll only have about 10 seconds to make an impression, so a pitch that is compelling, snappy and shows off your skills as a writer is imperative.
Tailor your pitch to suit your target audience. You should:
Stalk your publisher and/or media journalist / site. Find out what kinds of topics, genres, styles, etc they usually publish.
Research / analyse books and reviews of books that have a similar intended readership and discover what makes them popular, and then you can position your pitch effectively for that market.
Who, do you know, with a great unique selling point? Check out the ‘branding’ of other authors and find out what makes them stand out. What is it about you and your writing that makes you unique?
The hook, me hearties … The Hook. The opening line/s that makes a piercing impact on the reader. A spark of curiosity that entices them to want to know more. Think of the hook as a teaser - it encapsulates the heart of your story or unique premise with an essence that sets it apart from others.
Here are some things to think about to make your hook compelling:
What is the main conflict or problem that needs to be solved?
What makes it different or exciting?
Who is your central character? What is unique or interesting about them (or you!)?
Keep it focused and concise - cut the unnecessary baggage.
Set the tone with your voice. Your hook and overall pitch should reflect the same tone as what you are offering. Humorous, serious, thrilling, mind boggling, etc.
Compare the market. I don’t mean insurance. Where does your book sit within the market? What other titles can you reference with similar themes, but also, what makes it different? Does it have a fresh perspective, or a timely topic? Use language that shows off your unique and exciting angle.
Back up with proof. Facts or interesting points that can be backed up with statistics can provide value to your unique selling point, as well as endorsements or testimonials from credible industry leaders or professionals. Including quotes of praise and positive feedback is great for increasing your chances of generating further interest from readers.
Let it flow. OK, that sounded weird. But really, your pitch should be organised into well-flowing paragraphs in order to hold the reader’s attention. Here is an example of how to structure your pitch:
Start with the compelling hook.
Craft a concise blurb or synopsis highlighting the main plot points / convincing arguments and key characters.
Include your comparative titles or unique selling points that differentiate your book from others.
Incorporate your credible facts, endorsements or testimonials.
Conclude with a strong closing statement to make your pitch memorable.
So, a well-organised, punchy and unique pitch that is also able to immediately ignite a curiosity and invoke an emotion will ensure you nail that knock-out pitch every time!
A few more tips and articles can be found in the Just Write For Kids Pitch It! Competition 2023 guidelines (and if you’re an Aussie, you might be interested in entering, too!).
#thanksfortouringwithus
Romi x