Pitching through a platform vs. emailing the journalist directly

Pitching through a platform vs. emailing the journalist directly

There are two roads to getting quoted. One is answering a query inside a service. The other is finding a reporter's own email and pitching them cold. Both work, but they suit different moments.

1. Platform query — the journalist asked first. They want sources right now. Your job is just to answer well and fast.
2. Direct email — nobody asked. You are interrupting a busy stranger, so your bar is much higher: you need a sharp, timely reason they should care.

Think of it like a job ad vs. a walk-in. Answering a posted query is replying to a help-wanted ad. Cold emailing is knocking on the door asking if they're hiring.

For beginners: start with platform queries. They have a much higher reply rate because the demand already exists.

Try this today: answer two posted queries before you ever send one cold email.