How do you pitch your story ideas to trade show organizers and speakers?

1 Research the event

Before you pitch your story ideas, you need to do your homework on the event. Find out the theme, the agenda, the speakers, the exhibitors, and the audience of the trade show. Look for gaps, trends, challenges, and opportunities that you can explore in your stories. You can also check the event's website, social media, press releases, and previous coverage to get more insights.

2 Craft your pitch

Once you have your story ideas, you need to craft your pitch. Your pitch should be concise, clear, and compelling. It should explain who you are, what you want to cover, why it matters, and how you plan to do it. You should also highlight your credentials, your media outlet, and your audience. Avoid generic or vague pitches that sound like spam or sales pitches. Instead, tailor your pitch to the specific organizer or speaker you're contacting.

3 Contact the right person

When you pitch your story ideas, you need to contact the right person. Depending on the size and structure of the event, you may need to reach out to different people. For example, you may need to contact the event manager, the PR manager, the speaker coordinator, or the speaker directly. Find out who is the best person to pitch to and how they prefer to be contacted. You can use email, phone, social media, or online forms to pitch your story ideas.

4 Follow up and confirm

After you pitch your story ideas, you need to follow up and confirm. Don't assume that your pitch was received or accepted. You may need to send a reminder, a thank you note, or a confirmation email to secure your interview or access. You should also check the event's updates, changes, and policies that may affect your coverage. Be polite, professional, and persistent in your follow-up.

5 Prepare and deliver

Once you have your pitch approved, you need to prepare and deliver. You should prepare your questions, equipment, and materials for your interview or coverage. You should also familiarize yourself with the event's layout, schedule, and etiquette. You should arrive early, dress appropriately, and respect the rules and regulations of the event. You should also deliver your story on time, with quality, and with attribution.

6 Build relationships

After you cover the trade show, you need to build relationships. You should thank the organizers and speakers for their time and cooperation. You should also share your story with them and ask for feedback. You should also keep in touch with them and follow up on any leads, referrals, or opportunities that may arise from your coverage. You should also network with other media professionals and sources at the trade show.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?