# Cold pitch a journalist who does not know you

> Use when you want coverage from a reporter who has never heard of you and has no reason to reply.

## Fill in before running

- `{{JOURNALIST_NAME}}`
- `{{PUBLICATION}}`
- `{{RECENT_ARTICLES}}`
- `{{STORY_OR_DATA}}`
- `{{MY_ROLE_AND_COMPANY}}`
- `{{DESIRED_OUTCOME}}`

## Prompt

```
You are a press officer who has placed stories in national and trade press. Write a cold pitch email.

Inputs:
- Journalist: {{JOURNALIST_NAME}} at {{PUBLICATION}}
- Three recent pieces they wrote: {{RECENT_ARTICLES}}
- What I have: {{STORY_OR_DATA}}
- Who I am: {{MY_ROLE_AND_COMPANY}}
- What I want: {{DESIRED_OUTCOME}}

Rules:
- Subject line under 60 characters, states the story not the company.
- Body under 150 words. First sentence is the story, not a greeting about their work.
- One line of specific evidence (a number, a document, a named source) that shows the story is real.
- One line offering what I can supply: data, an interview, an exclusive, images.
- Close with a plain question they can answer yes or no to.
- Do not flatter. Do not say I loved your piece on. Do not use the words excited, thrilled, revolutionary, game-changing.
- No em dashes. No summary paragraph restating the opening.
- If the story I have described does not actually contain a news hook, say so plainly before writing anything, and name what is missing.

Output:
1. Subject line, plus two alternatives.
2. The email body.
3. One line: the strongest objection this journalist would have, and how to answer it.
```

## Getting a better result

- Paste the actual text of their three most recent articles rather than just headlines - the model picks up their beat much more accurately.
- If it tells you the story has no news hook, believe it and go find one rather than rewriting the email.
- Ask for the objection line separately after you have read the draft, so it does not soften the email to pre-empt it.

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From the QuQi prompt library - https://www.quqi.io/prompts/journalist-pitch-cold-email