HA!
Hi there everyone.
Funny, I am going to share with you how to write a pitch letter .
I am so not an authority on this subject, however, I have a recent experience I would like to share.
A pitch letter for what you may ask?
Well, if you are a blogger, or small business,
and are seeking out opportunities to work with companies or perhaps just for product review,
you have to put yourself out there and write a pitch letter.
Since the first objective is to get the recipients attention, it’s obviously a sales letter.
This is my recent experience I had and I would like to share with you what I learned from it.
As a suggestion by a dear friend Ann Drake, from On sutton place,
I am here to share a bloggers pitch story.
I have been blogging now for four years. It’s a job, it is now my full time job, and I do earn an extra small income for our household.
I finally am at a place where I feel confident enough to pitch a company I want to work with, or perhaps pitch for a large product I want for our home.
Don’t get me wrong, you have seen some very nice reviews and companies I have worked with here on my blog.
Saatva mattress,
Floracraft,
Michael’s and a more!
The above referenced companies, I really did not have to write a pitch letter. I sorta fell into most of those opportunities.
I suppose they have seen me around a time or two
.
I do from time to time also get sponsored posts through blogher, and other affiliate companies,
but you really do not have to pitch a formal letter. You more or less write a brief summary as to why you want to work with that product or why you would be a good fit.
At this point in my blogging career hahahaha, that sounds funny,
I have an established readership {Thank you because I can’t be here without you}
Page views have increased year to year.
Google analytics are pretty good
My SEO {Search engine optimization}
and page rank, eh, not so bad either.
I mention all of the above, because quite frankly you need to have them all aligned, secured and in a pretty good place before you can write a pitch letter.
You can’t really expect after 6 months or even a year of blogging you can set your sights out on big companies. Unless you are an overnight success, that just is not happening, sad,but true. Our niche’ is becoming quite saturated and increasingly difficult to even get noticed. Don’t be discouraged though. If you love what you do, and love what you share, keep at it, your hard work will pay off.
We all work very hard, and I do believe that 3-5 year mark is what it takes to start really seeing growth, profit, and offers coming your way. Don’t forget, at that point, you should have a lot of content on your site, which helps to prove your dedication and establishment.
So now for the pitch.
First off think it out, do NOT be spontaneous. Just because you are excited, don’t rush into it.
Sure anyone can say they get X amount of page views a month, and a proven success record,
The company wants the proof. This is in fact, is where I learned the most.
First:
1. Find the appropriate individual to whom you should direct your pitch letter.
2. Make sure his or her name is spelled correctly.
3. Limit your letter to 1 page. No one wants lengthy and all fancy fonts and colors… NO!
4. Be concise, and to the point.
5. Be direct, instead of too elaborate.
6. Include all the right information about you, your site and what you are looking for.
7. Grab their attention in the first paragraph of your letter.
This is where you introduce yourself and describe of your website.
8. Be friendly, be unique and stand out!
This includes the “who, what, where, when, and why” of your site.
Avoid overused adjectives like unique, fantastic, greatest, incredible, best.
9. Have a set game plan and let them know exactly what you plan to do.
10. Leave your contact information in the last paragraph, including your website and url. Even if you are writing on letterhead, make it easy for them to contact you.
Personally, upfront, I would not mention compensation, especially if you are looking for a big ticket item. First lure them in and further discuss if compensation is even an option, considering the cost of the item you are looking to review.
If you are looking for a contracted business ambassadorship, I do believe those paid options are according to your monthly page views. Some will say it is roughly a $100.00 per 100,000 page views. Example, your site receives 250,000 page views a month, compensation would be roughly $250.00 for a sponsored post.
It is and can be blogger specific.
But again, some may disagree and say ask for compensation along with the product upfront.
I don’t think of myself as a professional blogger, but in a sense I am. I am here often, always have my camera, or phone in hand for that blogging opportunity, and a notebook by my desk for those light bulb moments.
I would say, I take this gig pretty seriously.
You can get all the above points across quickly in your pitch letter and grab their attention without over doing it.
Please use spell check as well, nothing worse than typos and grammatical errors.
I am the queen of both btw, and when writing my blog posts day to day, because I share in a conversational style, I feel it to be fine on occasion if you see a typo or grammar error, it truly is me writing, and I am not perfect.
However, in a pitch letter, and a sponsored post, do not do that:)!
Here are some common grammar errors.
Your vs. You’re
It’s vs. Its
Affect vs. Effect
There vs. Their.
Moving on…..
For a blogger you will want to be sure to include your media kit, along with an attachment of your Google Analytics screen shot. I wouldn’t be too hung up on your stats. If you have a strong voice, you have some experience working with companies and were successful at it, that indeed may be all they need opposed to a lot of page views a month.
I would also like to mention some bloggers have some smoking hot Facebook pages with a pretty far reach, that definitely is something worth noting when pitching. Especially, if your blog numbers are not as large, you can perhaps land the gig based on that.
I can tell you, I am NOT a mega blog. I know SHOCKING right? you thought I was Mega..NOT even close. 
The company you pitch, will in fact head on over to your site if they are considering working with you, so be sure it is looking good, clean and easy to navigate. Have your menu bar at the top, a gallery page, and about me easy to find.
This particular company I pitched recently, also wanted the CTR on companies I have worked with in the past.
What, what is a CTR? I had no clue!
You can find CTR {Click through rate} in Google Analytics by clicking on Behavior (in the left hand menu) and then choosing In Page Analytics. It will show “bubbles” on your page with a percentage click through rate for each item – hover over that bubble and it will then show you the actual number of clicks.
I personally think, keeping it short, sweet and to the point is all you need to start.
Grab their attention at least and the rest will flow into place.
Some other things I also learned .
courtesy of Jennifer Zuri blogger from Town and Country Living.
Anyone who is serious about attracting brands should learn how to use Google’s reporting tools so that you can provide those brands with monthly reports. The ability to offer this to companies will help seal the deal. Perhaps a “fun” way to learn Google Analytics is to search for training videos on YouTube. Just make sure it’s a recent video and not from like, 2009, otherwise it’s outdated info.
In closing, one major important thing you should also know. Any link you have on your blog whether it be representing the company, writing a review and being compensated whether it is monetary or with product, should always be a NO-Follow link. You can learn all about No-follow links and why they need to be.
I know this is boring for the non-bloggers that read me, and I do apologize for that. But I learned something valuable that could be really helpful to other bloggers and even perhaps small business owners looking to branch out.
We are a community of caring women and supporting one another.
XO
Oh and for the record, my very first pitch letter, was effective.
I did get the gig!
I really wanted to work with this company and I feel I can deliver and share an amazing diy project!
Stay tuned.
Follow me around if you like.
If you have any input or experience, please feel free to share.
Also, there is a new e-book on the horizon
The bloggers guide to pitching and working with brands
Much more entailed and informative.
Thanks.
Great tips, Debbie. I’ll be pinning to read over later. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for laying it all out there. You have some great tips for new and experienced bloggers.
Thanks, like I said, I am not the expert, however, I think these tips are pretty effective and could and will be successful for most who try.
OK…I’ve read this once and will need to read it several more times. Great advice and presented in a way that we ALL can understand. You definitely need to have your ducks in a row before attempting a pitch letter. I have some work to do but now I at least know what that work is…before I was never sure. I made a list as I was reading. This post is so generous and helpful. I cannot thank you enough. Love you, Ann
Thank you Debbie! I have always wondered but didn’t have the time to figure this out. I appreciate all the work you put into this post to help those of us who can’t sit still long enough to investigate..LOL!!
Hugs and congrats on the gig!
Karin
Thanks Karin, took courage for me even to hit publish, but I really want to encourage others to put themselves out there! You can do it.
Thank you so much for compiling all this great information! Very helpful, Thanks!
Thanks so much Debbie. This is great information and ideas. I need to read this several times and use it as a check list before I can do anything. Thank you, Thank you!!
Awesome info to have, Debbie! So glad you got the gig too!
Thanks:)
That’s an awesome post, Debbie, full of fantastic tips. I’ll have to keep this in mind if I ever decide to go bigger. And you may not be a ‘mega’ blogger, but you are special to a lot of us…because you make us all feel special.
Thanks for all you do.
Debbie 🙂
That is because you are all special in my book! XO
Debbie, I’m so happy you got your gig! I really needed to read this because I’m into year 3 of blogging and would like to make a little moolah! My first goal this year is to improve my photography (which I’m currently working on) and then I’m going to work up the courage to do this! Thanks for the push! 🙂
Thanks Debbie! Book marked!!
Great information! I’m sure I will never use it ’cause I’m just a slow poke but many will gather much value from this. 🙂
Thanks for always being willing to help!
xo
Pat
Thanks, Debbie, for sharing all this important info.
I realize I have so much to learn. I do understand what you
mean when you say it’s a full-time job!
That’s a fact Jack! LOL!
Great p ost Debbie! Such good information for bloggers wanting to take the next up in Earning more money.
Well now I’m Overwhelmed, Overloaded on info, under utilized on SEO, burdened by EIEIO, and I rank a zer-O.
Great info Debbie, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Blessings,
Cindy
Thanks so much Debbie, I’m not there yet, but when I am this is going to be so helpful. Bookmarked ya girl!
Karen (ps, if I haven’t told you before, I love your blog)
A ton of great advice Debbie! Thank you! I signed up for your newsletter a few months ago after I stumbled onto your page via Pinterest. Love the crafts you make and the low cost ideas, especially modge podge and rit dye painting. I ending up reading your entire post today because I’m currently seeking employment and thought I’d get some good advice on how to sell myself. I did and again I say thank you. With that being said I recently moved to SC from northern NY, and wondered if you have any advice for securing a job in the healthcare field in SC? Not having good luck at all! Thank you again!
Hi there Glenda, I messaged you personally. Welcome to the South!!:)
Thank you, Debbie!
What a fantastic post Debbie…you have certainly helped so many people in more ways than one…
Oh goodness Debbie, way to much for this blonde blogger (Not to be confused with booger lol!)…You are such a computer whiz. Companies should be lined up to get you to mention them!!
Carol
You are the BEST, Debbie, for taking the time to write an extensive post just to help other bloggers. I am so naive about monetizing my blog. I haven’t even started, but I’m not close to having enough views or followers yet. I’ll pin this for future use, though! You say you are not a mega-blogger, but you have a mega-heart! Thanks so much for this, and congrats on the gig!
Great post Debbie. I was just pondering this.. I’ve never had the nerve to pitch any companies. This may give me the push I need.
Good I hope it does Kim! Go for it.
Debbie,
First I’m Happy You got the Gig and Second You wrote an amazing post!!
When I was a Quality Assurance Manager I did allot of tech writing and
your I find it hard to just write from my heart. Your post reminded me of
my earlier days of tech writing but it wasn’t dry and bla,bla,bla, For Me
the biggest thing I heard here for myself was the line. We are a community
of caring women and supporting one another. And that gives me a sense of
the way You will act professionally and personally. It tells Me You are a Team
Player and will Support Others in your Field. Thank You so Much for that Post.
As Always One of Your Biggest Fans
Lisa
Thank you Lisa! That means a lot to me. XO
Great advice and tips! I am off to watch some google analytic videos. It has been on my list to do for some time, but never took the time to dig deeper. Pinning too!
Great info, Debbie! Thanks for giving me props! 🙂
Hi Debbie, this is a great guide to writing a pitch. It could be applied to any sort of pitch including trying to secure guest posting opportunities to raise your profile as a blogger. Great job!
I have been researching this very topic, which is how I found your post. So far, it has been the most informative one that I have read on this topic. I am glad to see your pitch worked! Do you use a form letter that you just change up and tweak for each pitch you do, or do you write a completely different letter each time? Is it possible for you to share a sample of the type of letter you write? Thank you for writing this post!
Nicki
http://sweetparrishplace.blogspot.com/2014/08/what-i-wore-wednesday-august-6-2014.html
Hi Nicki, I tweak the letter to make it more personal to whom I am pitching. I actually just write it in emails and I can’t remember the last one I pitched too. Good Luck! Now more and more companies are pitching bloggers. So I have not written one in a while.