Welcome to the HARO Limelight Series (HLS), where we will highlight either a reporter or source who has had success(es) with our service each week.
Our purpose with this series is to educate readers on how to more effectively pitch reporters and garner media hits.
We hope you find this series useful. Please leave any comments or questions below!
In this HLS, we interviewed Elaine Sigal, the founder of STIZZiL, an online educational resource.
1. Please give the BloggingPRWeb readers a little background information about yourself/your business.
STIZZiL is an online educational resource offering individual and group lessons tailored to any student’s needs at his/her convenience and safety, taught by experienced U.S. licensed teachers through state-of-the-art interactive web tools, such as live web video. STIZZiL will match the best teacher to the right student based on an in-depth survey filled out by the student. Teachers undergo a rigorous background inquiry with only the best chosen to join the STIZZiL staff. All sessions are recorded and archived for student review and quality assurance. I am a passionate advocate for education with over 40 years of experience as an educator, who understands the value of a good teacher and the growing, demanding needs of today’s students.
2. How did you first hear about HARO and why did you decide to sign up?
I heard about HARO around the same time I started STIZZiL. As an English teacher, I love reading and writing and was intrigued by the HARO model.
3. How has HARO changed the way you market yourself/your business?
I find that I am constantly answering HARO inquiries. This often leads me to create more content and blogs of my own.
4. How many times have you secured media placements through HARO?
I know of three, but I do not always know when I am being used in the articles.
5. If you have garnered more than one hit, which was your favorite and why?
Pitch Title: Helping Kids Learn
Pitch Contents: Hi,
I have been an educator for 40 years. I have been a classroom teacher for
grades 5-12 and university levels. I owned an adult communications firm, a
supplemental education center, was an NCLB provider, created and ran a
summer school for credit recovery, created and ran an adult school, am a
professional development provider and now am the Founder and President of
STIZZiL, a premium supplemental online education company. We offer
services to students, adults, parents, teachers and schools.
Since we offer help and consultations to students of all ages, I believe
that I can help you on your radio show. An aside: my undergraduate degree
is in speech and theater and I have been on the radio as an “education
expert” numerous times.
This pitch garnered me a half hour radio show! Love it!
6. From your experience with getting media placements, what are some tips/pointers you can give people looking to pitch themselves or their businesses to the media?
I have four tips:
- Be honest and answer the questions accurately and briefly.
- Give useful information.
- Be available to reporters to discuss comments and added questions in greater detail.
- Respond only to those articles in which you can be quoted as the expert.
7. What are some no-nos when pitching the media?
- Do not answer questions that are out of your league.
- Do not give opinions that are out of the realm of possibility.
If you’d like to be featured in the HARO Limelight series as a member of the media or a source, email: laura(at)helpareporter(dot)com.
