You answered a different question than the one asked

You answered a different question than the one asked

A journalist query is the short request a reporter posts asking for expert input. Many beginners skim it, spot a familiar keyword, and pitch their favorite talking point instead.

Think of it like a job interview where you ignore the question and recite your resume. The reporter notices.

1. Read the query twice before writing a single word.
2. Underline the exact question ("How should small teams pick a tool?" is not "Why is our tool great?").
3. Make your first sentence answer that precise question, plainly.

Reporters are skimming dozens of replies under deadline. If sentence one doesn't fit the hole they're filling, they move on.

Try this today: Open one query, copy the actual question into a blank reply, and write under it. Delete anything that doesn't directly serve that question.