Pitch letters are an informal way to offer your company as a resource for interviews and information to an editor, unlike a formal press release. The key is to show the editor that you understand how your story could fit into his or her beat and readers' interests. Follow these tips to craft an effective pitch letter that gets results: 
- Do your homework first. Research the editor's work to get a feel for his or her style and deadlines. You'll use this research when it's time to start writing.
- Cut to the chase. Open with the most important information upfront. Make sure the first sentence will encourage the editor to decide the pitch is worth his or her time.
- Customize the letter. The angle you pitch should be specific to that particular editor. Put your research to work and spell out the relevance to the editor's audience.
- Remember who you're talking to. Editors don't need all the details right away. Give them a few facts and teasers so they get the gist of your angle. Avoid hype, jargon and buzzwords at all costs.
- PROOFREAD!!! Editors will pick up on even the smallest error. Triple check for typos, grammar mistakes, and other slipups. Then have a co-worker give the letter a detailed proof. You'll be glad you did!
Stay tuned for next week's Compass when we'll outline the step-by-step process of pitching your letter to an editor.
Anatomy of a Pitch Letter:
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Personalized Greeting
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Important information, facts and stats
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Teasers and summary of the angle
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Description of who and what you can offer
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Call to action
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Sign-off with contact information
