Free template
Press pitch template
The story in the first line, or not at all.
This press pitch template is a short email to one journalist: a subject line that reads like a headline, the story in the first sentence, why it matters to their audience now, what you can offer, and the release pasted below. Keep it under 150 words above the release.
Journalists get many pitches a day, so the first line decides whether yours is read.
At a glance
- What
- A press pitch email and a follow-up, in plain text, free to copy.
- For
- Businesses pitching a story to a journalist, editor or producer.
- Price
- Free. No email or sign-up.
- Next
- Want us to find the angle and pitch it? Book a call. We'll reply within the hour (working hours).
Ready when you are.
We'll reply within the hour (working hours).
Copy the press pitch template
Write a fresh first line for each journalist. A pitch that could go to anyone usually goes nowhere.
Subject: [The story in under ten words, written like a headline]
Hi [first name],
[One sentence with the story. The most surprising fact first.]
[One or two sentences on why it matters to their readers or listeners now: a trend, a date, a local angle, or a reaction to something in the news.]
[What you can offer: a spokesperson, data with its source, a customer who'll talk, photos or video.]
I've pasted the full release below. [Name] is free to talk today or tomorrow on [phone].
Thanks,
[Your name]
[Job title], [company]
[Phone]
[Press release pasted below, not attached]Follow-up email template
Send one follow-up a few days later, in the same thread, with something new. Then leave it.
Subject: Re: [original subject]
Hi [first name],
Just checking this reached you. [One new detail or angle that wasn't in the first email.]
[Name] is still free to talk on [phone] if it's useful.
Thanks,
[Your name]How do you write a press pitch that gets read?
Lead with the story, make it about their audience, and make it easy to say yes.
- 1
Pick the right person
Read what they've covered recently. Pitch the journalist who writes about your topic, not the general news desk.
- 2
Subject line
The story in a few words, like a headline they could use. No "press release" or "exciting news".
- 3
First sentence
The most surprising fact. If they read nothing else, they should know what the story is.
- 4
Why now, why them
Tie it to something their audience cares about this week, or to their patch.
- 5
What you can offer
A spokesperson free today, data with a source, a customer, photos. Make the story easy to write.
- 6
Paste, don't attach
Put the release under your sign-off and link to images.
- 7
Follow up once
A few days later, in the same thread, with a new detail. Then move on.
Where have our pitches landed?
Recent coverage for our clients.
- Featured in The Times
- Featured on BBC Radio 2
How does Foundry pitch journalists?
Robert finds the angle with you, then writes a short personal pitch for each journalist rather than a mass mailing. The release sits underneath as the accurate version they can quote from.
Our clients get a first feature in 7 days on average. Coverage also earns the links and mentions that help search and AI assistants trust a business.
Our averages. Not our best days.
Our averages
7days
To a first PR featurethis service
20mins
Average reply time
Press pitch template FAQs
Short enough to read on a phone without scrolling: a few sentences above the release. If it needs more, the story isn't clear yet.
Paste it into the email below the pitch. Link to images rather than attaching large files.
The few who genuinely cover your topic, each with their own first line. A targeted handful beats a list of hundreds.
Once, a few days later, in the same thread, with something new. More than that tends to put journalists off.
Some prefer it for breaking news. For most stories, a good email is the better first step.
Yes. We find the angle, write the pitch and release, and send them to the right people. We'll reply within the hour (working hours).
Related
Got a story? Get moving.
Tell us what you need. We'll reply within the hour (working hours), and most websites go live about 5 days after kick-off.
We'll reply within the hour (working hours).
Or email hello@foundryagency.co.uk