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Pitch a reporter with one approved stat and a spokesperson

  • For Communications and PR
  • You practice Keeping the AI to your sources
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

You work in communications at Plumb & Co., a rental-management software company. Write a prompt for a pitch email to Sam Whitfield, who covers housing for the City Ledger. It needs a line starting "Subject:" of 8 words or fewer, a body under 100 words using only the approved statistic, an offer of the spokesperson with her available dates, and no claim that it's an exclusive. Plain text, signed "Maya Brandt, Plumb & Co."

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Using unapproved numbers. The AI adds the landlord figure for punch. Try: Say: "Use only the approved statistic."
  • Calling it exclusive. Pitches default to 'exclusive'. Try: Say: "Don't call it an exclusive."
  • No hook to the reporter. The AI writes a generic pitch. Try: Say: "Refer to his recent coverage in one clause."
  • Skipping the survey context. The AI quotes 62% with no source. Try: Say: "Include the survey size."
  • Letting markdown through. AI adds bold text and headings by default. Try: Add: "Plain text only, no bold, no headings."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting and often runs past a word limit. Try: Cap each part (for example "each line under 15 words") so the total lands well under the limit.

What a strong prompt includes

  • Names the reporter and outlet
  • Uses only the approved stat
  • Offers the spokesperson
  • Bans exclusivity claims
  • Gives limits and sign-off

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