Elements of a Good Pitch

By: Sara Urquhart. Photography by: Melanie Blodgett

A pitch will be successful when you can meet the needs of the client, and so good pitches always begin with an understanding of the clients’ needs. The key here is to listen, listen, listen. What does the brand want? What are they looking for? If they’re interested in social media buzz, that pitch will look completely different than if they want deep and concentrated attention. 

To create your pitch, you’ll need to ask a simple question that might intimidate you, but shouldn’t: “What’s your budget for this project?” Every project will have a budget, and this is an easy way to start the conversation about price. Knowing the budget helps you tailor your pitch and also gauge whether the project is worth your time.

Keep pitches to one page (maybe two), and beware of appearing that you’re mass-pitching. Make sure you include something that customizes your pitch to that specific brand, such as a reference to an in-person conversation or an email exchange.

Your pitch is your response to what the brand needs, and how your relationship can help them achieve their goals within their budget. Simply put, a good pitch is a compelling proposal to help a brand meet its goal.