<b>Why honesty is your safest strategy</b>

<b>Why honesty is your safest strategy</b>

It's tempting to stretch the truth to sound more impressive in a pitch. Don't. Reporters fact-check, and one exaggeration can quietly end the relationship. Think of it like a referee who saw the foul — they may not whistle, but they remember.

Three honest habits that protect you:

1. Claim only what you've done. "I've helped a few friends" if it's a few, not "hundreds."
2. Say when you're unsure. "In my experience" is a fair, honest frame.
3. Don't borrow others' numbers as your own. Cite the source if it isn't yours.

Honesty isn't just ethical — it's practical. Reporters keep a private list of sources they trust, and trust is the whole game. One clean, accurate quote can lead to years of repeat requests.

Try this today: reread your last pitch and check every claim is literally true. If one line stretches, soften it. A smaller true claim always beats a bigger shaky one.